Glenn Shadix

William Glenn Shadix (April 15, 1952 – September 7, 2010) was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his roles as Otho Fenlock in Tim Burton's ''Beetlejuice'' and the Mayor of Halloween Town in ''The Nightmare Before Christmas''.

Early life

Shadix was born on April 15, 1952, in Bessemer, Alabama, the eldest child in the family. His surname was legally changed to "Scott" when his mother, Annie Ruth (née Livingston), remarried a few years after his birth, although he would use his original surname when working as an actor. He attended Birmingham–Southern College for two years, studying with absurdist playwright-director Arnold Powell.

Career

He lived in Manhattan, New York City, prior to moving to Hollywood in 1977. He got his breakthrough film role in ''Beetlejuice'' as interior decorator Otho Fenlock, while appearing in The Groundlings comedy troupe and performing in the stage play ''Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights'', portraying Gertrude Stein. ''Beetlejuice'' filmmaker Tim Burton went on to cast Shadix in 1993's ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' and the 2001 remake of ''Planet of the Apes''. Throughout the 1990s he had small roles on iconic television shows, including ''Cheers'', ''Roseanne'', '' The Fresh Prince '', and ''Seinfeld''.

In 1995, Shadix was cast as Ray Cathode in the Space Mountain queue advertisements when the ride was sponsored by FedEx.

In 2005, Shadix was cast as the voices of the Brain and Monsieur Mallah in season five of the ''Teen Titans'' animated series. His other voice work includes the aforementioned ''Nightmare'', and episodes of '' Jackie Chan Adventures'' and ''Justice League Unlimited'' (where he played Steven Mandragora). He reprised his ''Nightmare Before Christmas'' role in the video game '' The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge'' and Square Enix's ''Kingdom Hearts II''.

His television work included the HBO drama ''Carnivàle'', the NBC television comedy ''Seinfeld'', in which he played Jerry's landlord, and playing the roles of giant brothers Typhoon and Typhon in '' Hercules: The Legendary Journeys''. On stage, Shadix was set to begin rehearsals for a Birmingham production of Alan Bennett's '' History Boys''.

Personal life

According to an interview with the '' Truth Wins Out'' website, Shadix came out as gay at the age of 17. His parents then enrolled him in " ex-gay therapy", which included shock treatments. When this failed to change his orientation, he attempted suicide by overdosing with Elavil. His parents rushed him to a hospital, where he survived a three-day coma. After the incident, his parents began to accept his sexuality.

Shadix was known to be a long-time fan of Joan Baez, dating back to his childhood, when he had to hide her records from his family who disapproved of the folk singer. Shadix travelled cross country to attend one of her concerts and meet her in person.

In 2007, after spending 30 years in Los Angeles, Shadix retired to his native Bessemer, Alabama, where he purchased a Queen Anne-style, Victorian-era home. The house was completely destroyed in a fire on December 13, 2008. Shadix told reporters, "I have lost my dream."

Death

In 2009, Shadix underwent surgery to provide relief to an ankle which he broke while filming. Afterward, he had mobility problems and used a wheelchair. On September 7, 2010, Shadix was found dead in his home. According to his sister, Susan Gagne, he fell and hit his head in the kitchen at his condominium in Birmingham, Alabama, and died of blunt trauma.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

References

External links

*

Shadix's Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shadix, Glenn
1952 births
2010 deaths
20th-century American comedians
20th-century American LGBTQ people
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American comedians
21st-century American LGBTQ people
21st-century American male actors
Accidental deaths from falls
Accidental deaths in Alabama
Actors from Jefferson County, Alabama
American gay actors
American LGBTQ comedians
American male comedians
American male film actors
American male television actors
American male voice actors
American wheelchair users
Birmingham–Southern College alumni
Comedians from Alabama
Gay comedians
LGBTQ people from Alabama
Male actors from Alabama
People from Bessemer, Alabama