Actor best known for role as the sneaky, psychic decorator, Otho in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and for roles in Demolition Man, Planet of the Apes and the iconic Heathers.
Glenn Shadix, center, on the set of Beetlejuice with Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder.
Saw this online which linked to The Advocate which reports the actor died in his home in Birmingham, Alabama after apparently suffering a fall from his wheelchair. Mr Shadix had been in declining health in recent months. But, there’s some sloppy reporting in The Advocate piece; it’s implied that the actor was retired but according to Mr Shadix’s website and blog he was still very active and made a film last year in Hawaii that he was very excited about and recently auditioned for a role in Water for Elephants starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. And, I don’t like the tone of the piece with the clip of Mr Shadix commenting on his “Gay Aversion” therapy; it sort of implies he was a self-hating gay man and doesn’t mention that the therapy happened when he was young. I urge you to check out Mr Shadix’s website and blog…it’s a warm and funny and very Southern look at one man’s amazing life. It looks like he was a loving and well-loved man with a large circle of friends and family and lived a rich, fulfilling life. And, so a toast to a gifted artist taken too soon: To Glenn Shadix!
And, now I need to go watch Beetlejuice…I haven’t seen it in years and it’s a GREAT movie!
–Michael Strangeways
It is terrible tragedy that Glen Shadix has passed away. You can help remember him by contributing to his memorial website at http://glennshadix.people2remember.com/