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‘Dazed and Confused’ and ‘School of Rock’ star Nicky Katt dies aged 54

Nicky Katt has died, aged 54.

His death reportedly occurred in Burbank, California on April 8, and was confirmed by his friends and his attorney, John Sloss. No cause of death has been given.

The actor was best known for performing in the indie film Dazed and Confused, his portrayal of Harry Senate in several seasons of TV show Boston Public, as well as roles in Friends and School of Rock.

Born in South Dakota, Katt began his career as a child actor on TV, with small roles in Gremlins and The ‘Burbs.

During his career, which spanned five decades, he worked with esteemed directors such as Woody Allen on the play A Second Hand Memory, Christopher Nolan on Insomnia and The Dark Knight, and Quentin Tarantino on Death Proof.

He often played the role of a “tough guy”, appearing in A Time to Kill, Boiler Room, The Way of the Gun, SubUrbia, and Insomnia. He was also a go-to choice for director Steven Soderbergh, who cast him in The Limey as Stacy the Hitman, as Hitler in Full Frontal, and one of his final roles in 2013’s Behind the Candelabra.

In a 2008 interview with IGN, he reflected on his career, saying: “I kind of am notorious for bringing a lot of humor to stuff, and not in a scene-stealing way, [but] especially if something is really kind of heavy subject matter I’m kind of like oxygen for a drowning man.

“I mean, everyone also says that the bad guys are the most fun, but I’ve definitely gone through streaks where that’s all that people wanted me to play, the bad guy, especially after Dazed and Confused,” he continued. “But I’ve been really lucky because I get to play all different types of guys.”

Alongside on-screen roles, Katt also provided the voice of Atton Rand for the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords video game.

Tributes have been pouring in for the actor, with Beau Flynn – the CEO of Flynn Picture Company – writing: “Heartbroken to learn about the way too early passing of the seriously talented actor Nicky Katt – God bless you my friend. What a privilege to know you and work with you on my first movie in 1995 – ‘johns’. Rest in peace brother.”

Meanwhile, film critic Barry Hertz also paid homage, tweeting: “Nicky Katt should’ve/could’ve been 2010’s Walton Goggins. Phenomenal in everything from Boston Public to Planet Terror. RIP.”

Katt’s last credited TV role was in 2018 on the Hulu original series Casual.

In October 2020, he reunited with his Dazed and Confused co-stars for a virtual table reading of the film’s script to raise funds for the Voto Latino Foundation and March for Science.

The post ‘Dazed and Confused’ and ‘School of Rock’ star Nicky Katt dies aged 54 appeared first on NME.