“Dazed and Confused” Actor Nicky Katt Died by Suicide at 54

Nicky Katt‘s cause of death has been announced.

The actor, known for movies like Dazed and Confused, Full Frontal and Behind the Candelabra, died by suicide in his Los Angeles-area home, it was confirmed on Monday, April 15. He was 54.

“Nicky Katt has been identified and a manner of death has been established,” an L.A. Police Department spokesperson said in in a statement. “He died by suicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.”

Katt’s death was first reported on Saturday, April 12..

Katt is credited with 75 acting roles between 1980 and 2018. He is perhaps best known for his appearance in 1993’s Dazed and Confused, in which he played the character Clint Bruno, who memorably gets into a fight with Adam Goldberg‘s character Mike Newhouse.

In addition to that movie, notable films and television series Katt appeared in include Sister Act, Friends, A Time to Kill, Rules of Engagement, Insomnia, Boston Public, Secondhand Lions, School of Rock and The Dark Knight, among others. Katt last appeared onscreen in a 2018 episode of the Hulu series Casual.

Robert Rodriguez, the filmmaker who worked with Katt on movies like Planet Terror, was among Hollywood figures who paid tribute to Katt following the news of his death.

SGranitz/WireImage Nicky Katt — SGranitz/WireImageNicky Katt

“He’d come in incredibly prepared for a role with costumes and props. He’d come full of inventive and creative ideas that would make his characters pop off the screen and consistently have an audience howling,” Rodriguez wrote in an Instagram post he shared on Sunday, April 13. “He’d deliver lines that would constantly sound as unexpected as an ad lib, yet it was the text. And if he did adlib, it was always gold. Even his physical comedy and timing was truly on another level. Nicky was an absolute joy on and off the camera. A true artist. A friend.”

“It’s very sad to lose Nicky Katt. But I can only be grateful I got to know him, work with him, and watch him create his own truly original brand of magic that will live forever in his favorite medium,” Rodriguez added in that statement.

Tributes Pour in After Former ‘Friends’ Actor Dies at 54

Fans of the iconic sitcom “Friends” received devastating news this Monday. Longtime actor Nicky Katt has passed away at 54.

Katt started acting in 1980 on “CHiPs” and “Father Murphy” before landing his breakthrough role in Richard Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused” in 1993. That led to him appearing in a few other prominent 90s films, such as “A Time to Kill” and “Strange Days.”

In 2000, Katt received recognition for his performance in “Boiler Room.” Around that same time, he played Harry Senate in “Boston Public.” He appeared in 49 episodes during a three-year span.

Katt also appeared in “Friends” for an episode titled “The One with the Bullies.” Even though it was just a cameo, fans adored his performance.

With that said, those who watched Katt on “Friends” paid tribute to him once his death was confirmed.

Nicky Katt (middle) in Friends.<p>Friends&period;</p> — Nicky Katt (middle) in Friends.Friends.

“As much as I hated the character, you can’t help but appreciate Nicky Katt’s performance as Clint in ‘Dazed and Confused.’ He did something similar in an episode of ‘Friends.’ Sad to hear he had passed away. He was one of the greats,” one fan wrote on X.

Another fan said, “Oh man, I’m so sad to hear of Nicky Katt’s death. He was amazing in ‘Dazed And Confused’ and ‘Boiler Room’ …… and let’s not forget his epic fight cameo with Chandler and Ross in TV’s ‘Friends.'”

“I was just talking to friends a few weeks ago how much I loved Nicky Katt,” a third fan commented. “RIP to a real one.”

According to TMZ, the “Boiler Room” actor was found dead in his Los Angeles apartment. The belief is that he died by suicide.

Katt’s final TV role came in 2018 on the Hulu series called “Casual.” His last film, meanwhile, was “The Sitter” in 2011.

Our thoughts are with Katt’s loved ones.

Nicky Katt of ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘Boston Public’ dies: reports

(NEXSTAR) — Nicky Katt, known for his roles in “Dazed and Confused” and “Boiler Room,” has died, according to multiple reports. He was 54 years old.

Katt’s attorney, John Sloss, confirmed the actor’s death to The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap. No cause of death or additional information was provided.

Katt’s earliest roles date back to 1980, when he made an uncredited appearance on the television series, “Fantasy Island.” He would appear on multiple TV shows through the ’80s, according to his IMDb page, with roles on “Herbie, the Love Bug,” “The Get Along Gang,” and “The Facts of Life.”

It was in 1993, however, when Katt landed one of his bigger roles as Clint Bruno in the coming-of-age film, “Dazed and Confused.” He would later play Greg Weinstein in the 2000 film “Boiler Room” and Adolf Hitler in 2002’s “Full Frontal.”

Actor Nicky Katt poses for a portrait in circa 1982. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
FRIENDS — “The One with the Bullies” Episode 21 — Air Date 04/25/1996 — Pictured: (l-r) David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Nicky Katt as Arthur, Peter DeLuise as Carl (Photo by Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
E367428 2000 (Clockwise) Scott Caan, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jamie Kennedy and Nicky Katt in New Line Cinema”s drama,”Boiler Room” David Lee/New Line
E367428 2000 Nicky Katt star”s in in New Line Cinema”s drama,”Boiler Room” David Lee/New Line

Katt told the Los Angeles Times in 2002 that his role in “Full Frontal” — more specifically, he was an actor portraying Hitler during a fictional play, “The Sound and the Fuhrer” — gave him a different perspective on acting.

After several films, Katt, a South Dakota native, did return to TV, playing Harry Senate on nearly 50 episodes of “Boston Public.” He also made appearances on “Friends,” “The Guardian,” “King of the Hill,” “Monk,” and “Love Monkey.”

Katt’s most recent role was on an episode of Hulu’s “Casual.”

While details of Katt’s death were limited, it reportedly occurred last week in Burbank, California, Variety reported.

Nicky Katt Died By Suicide, Family Confirms; ‘Dazed & Confused’ Star Discovered On April 8 In Apartment

“Today, with the heaviest of hearts, I share the devastating news of my brother’s passing,” Katt’s sister Elise Ravenscroft told Deadline Monday. “He died by suicide after battling with depression—one that he fought bravely but quietly.”

“This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do,” Ravenscroft added. “Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.” Read the full statement from Katt’s family below.

The Dazed and Confused actor was found dead in his Burbank apartment on April 8 by his landlord, who was attempting to collect overdue rent. The 54-year-old Katt died by hanging, law enforcement sources tell us.

Known as an actor’s actor, as our colleague Mike Fleming Jr. wrote on April 12 with the announcement of Katt’s passing, the 54-year-old left no suicide note or explanation. It appears Katt had been dead for at least a couple of days before his body was discovered.

As of Monday, L.A. County’s Department of Medical Examiner says it “has not positively identified a decedent by that name.” Officially, when contacted by Deadline about Katt’s passing, police today said they could not “confirm the death of a person by that name.” (Update: Early this afternoon, after Deadline’s story ran, the Medical Examiner released its report citing Katt’s cause of death as “hanging” and “suicide” as the manner of death)

Nicky Katt, 'Dazed and Confused' and 'Boston Public' actor, dies at 54

A regular of sorts in Richard Linklater films, Katt was perhaps known best for his turn as the high school Texan bully Clint Bruno in the director’s Bicentennial based Dazed and Confused from 1993. His lines of “I only came here to do two things, man: kick some ass and drink some beer” and “Looks like we’re almost out of beer” have become part of quotable movie canon.

On the small screen, Katt rose to prominence as unorthodox teacher Harry Senate during the 2000-2004 run of Boston Public on Fox.

On the big screen, as well as his work with Linklater, Katt also had prominent supporting roles in films by Steven Soderbergh, Robert Rodriguez and Christopher Nolan. His filmography included The Limey, Sin City and Insomnia. Other credits were The Way of the Gun, SubUrbia, School of Rock, and the Woody Allen play A Second Hand Memory among many others.

Katt also guest-starred in dozens of television series including Friends, King of the Hill, Monk, Law & Order and most recently, Casual in 2018. His latest appearance on film was in 2013 in HBO’s award-winning Beyond the Candelabra directed by Soderbergh.

News of Katt’s suicide was first reported by TMZ.

Read the full statement from Nicky Katt’s sister here:

Personal Statement on the Loss of My Brother

I am deeply saddened that the details of my brother’s passing were made public without my consent at a time when our family was still trying to process the shock and grief of his loss.

Today, with the heaviest of hearts, I share the devastating news of my brother’s passing. He died by suicide after battling with depression—one that he fought bravely but quietly.

This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do. Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.

In this moment of grief, we kindly ask for compassion—not only for our family as we mourn this unimaginable loss—but for every person who is silently struggling. We also ask for privacy to navigate this tragedy and begin the process of healing.

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, please reach out. You are not alone, and help is available.

Let us honor my brother’s memory by approaching one another with greater understanding, kindness, and care.

Thank you.

Elise Ravenscroft

Here are some well-regarded movies and TV series featuring actor Nicky Wu:

Scarlet Heart (步步惊心) – TV series (2011)
The Legend of Zu (蜀山战纪之剑侠传奇) – TV series (2015)
The Bride with White Hair (新白发魔女传) – TV series (2012)
My Bargain Queen (我的砍价女王) – TV series (2021)
Treasure Raiders (蕭十一郎) – TV series (2002)
At the Threshold of an Era (創世紀) – TV series (1999)
Wesley (冒險王衛斯理) – TV series (2003)

Some of Nicky Wu’s notable achievements include:

Magnolia Award at the Shanghai International TV Festival for Favorite Actor for Scarlet Heart (2012).
Huading Award for Best Performance by an Actor for Scarlet Heart (2012).
Seoul International Drama Awards for People’s Choice Award, Popular Actor (2012).
Weibo Award for Weibo King (2013).
Weibo Award for Breakthrough Person of the Year for The Bride with White Hair (2013).
Weibo Award for Weibo God (2014).
Jury Award at the Domestic TV series Ceremony, China for The Most Influential Actor From Hong Kong and Taiwan for Impossible Mission (2016).
Jury Award at the Television Series of China Quality Ceremony for Quality Expressive Actor of the Year (2018).
People’s Choice Award at the Seoul International Drama Awards for Popular Actor (2013).
Award for Best ‘Branded Content’ at the WeiFilm Festival 2013 for his collaboration with Tourism Australia.

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