RIP, Angus Scrimm

Another horror icon gone.

Angus Scrimm, best known as The Tall Man from the Phantasm films, has passed away.  He was 89.
Fangoria has a nice obit.

I guess it's not a total shock given his age, and it is comforting to know that, according to Phantasm director Don Coscarelli, he "passed surrounded by friends and loved ones," but still, it's sad he's gone.

:(

Scrimm starred in four Phantasm films (1979/88/94/98), with a fifth film, Phantasm: Ravager set for release later this year.  Also, there's a 4K restoration in the works of the first film, which is exciting.  Scrimm is a big part of why the original Phantasm works so well.  His strong screen presence and booming voice, he's a screen villain like no one else and when combined with the other nightmare imagery of the movie it makes quite the impression.

Here's a clip from an obscure horror film Scream Bloody Murder (1973), Scrimm's second credited screen role.  He's a bit stuffier and his character doesn't last long.  Neat movie though, worth the look.

Scrimm as Dr. Lyme in the very strange and weirdly entertaining Nic Cage film Deadfall (1993)

Incident On and Off a Mountain Road (2005) from the Masters of Horror series.  Scrimm gets kooky.

An old school class act and forever an icon of the horror genre.
RIP
Angus Scrimm
1926-2016