Tony Slattery has died at the age of 65, according to an announcement from his partner (Picture: REX)
Comedian Tony Slattery – known for Channel 4 ‘s Whose Line Is It Anyway? – has died aged 65 following a heart attack.
Slattery is also known for appearing on comedy shows like Just A Minute and Have I Got News For You.
A statement on behalf of his partner of more than three decades, Mark Michael Hutchinson, said: ‘It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening.’
Born November 9, 1959, Slattery got his start in comedy at the University of Cambridge, where he was the former president of the improvisation group Cambridge Footlights.
His classmates and comedic collaborators included Dame Emma Thompson, Sir Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie.
Prior to his death, the comedian had been touring a comedy show and had recently launched a podcast, Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club.
The comedian was known as a star of Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Picture: Getty)
Slattery was a fan favorite on Whose Line – Channel 4’s comedy show which saw performers conduct a series of short improvisation games – for its first seven seasons, beginning in 1988.
He was known for his quick wit and sharp tongue, often earning the biggest laughs of the episodes in which he appeared.
Slattery was so beloved by the show’s audience that once he departed the program after series seven, the show’s ratings fell.
An accomplished actor as well as an improviser, he earned an Olivier Award nomination for best comedy performance for his role as Gordon in Tim Firth’s play Neville’s Island.
He also played comedic and dramatic roles in films such as The Crying Game, Peter’s Friends, and How to Get Ahead in Advertising.
In the 90s, Slattery dropped out of the public eye somewhat as he struggled with substance abuse issues, eventually receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Slattery struggled with substance abuse and bipolar disorder (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In 2020, Slattery revealed he went bankrupt following these struggles.
He told the Radio Times that his ‘fiscal illiteracy and general innumeracy’ as well as his ‘misplaced trust in people’ had also contributed to his money problems.
Slattery released the BBC Two Horizon documentary What’s The Matter With Tony Slattery? in the same year. The documentary depicted the comedian and his partner consulting leading experts on mood disorders and addiction about Slattery’s symptoms and pathologies.
Throughout all of this, his partner Hutchinson stayed by his side.
He spoke tenderly about his partner to The Guardian in 2019: ‘He’s kept with me when my behaviour has been so unreasonable and I can only think it’s unconditional love.
‘He’s certainly not with me for my money – we don’t have any money. It’s the mystery of love. I’m sorry – it makes me very emotional,’ he said, through tears.
The comedian grew up on a council estate in north-west London, the youngest of five children and the son of working-class Irish immigrants.
His upbringing influenced his decision to keep his sexuality private for most of his career, as he explained to the outlet: ‘It was honestly never anything to do with embarrassment.
‘I just knew Mum and Dad would worry themselves to death that I might have Aids. I think Mum knew – she always referred to me as “my bachelor son.” But it was just not talked about.’
The comedian was with his partner for over 30 years (Picture: Getty)
An outpouring of grief has already begun online as fans and friends process the news of the comedy icon’s death.
X user @Bebejax wrote: ‘Sad news about Tony Slattery, a genuinely funny and charming man – may he rest in peace 💔’
@SamCKx agreed: ‘Grew up watching him on Whose Line Is It Anyway. Thoroughly talented chap.’
@johnpirie66 posted: ‘Very funny and clever man, who at his peak, shone like a diamond. May he rest in peace.’
Newscaster Jonathan pie posted: ‘Absolutely heartbreaking to hear about Tony Slattery. A genius.’
@thebowlerhatman posted: ‘Tony Slattery was one of the funniest people I have ever met. There is another side to genius, and Tony had his troubles, but they were behind him and his future looked very rosy.
RIP Sir. Thank you for the laughs.’
Comedian Al Murray, known as The Pub Landlord, posted: ‘Really sad news about Tony Slattery. Such a dazzling talent.’
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