September 8th, 2010
01:40 PM ET
Actor Glenn Shadix dies at 58Glenn Shadix, an actor who is perhaps best known for playing Otho in the 1988 film “Beetle Juice,” has passed away at the age of 58. The Alabama native died Tuesday morning in his Birmingham condo, a family member told The Birmingham News. “He was having mobility problems, and he was in a wheelchair,” his sister said, adding that Shadix appeared to have hit his head after a fall.
Shadix - who has been in a number of films and television shows - worked with Tim Burton more than once, supplying the voice of the Mayor in Burton’s 1993 work “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and also appearing in the filmmaker’s 2001 movie, “Planet of the Apes.” According to The Birmingham News, Shadix studied theater at a local college in the mid-1970s before making the move to New York and then Los Angeles. He returned to his southern roots about three years ago after almost 30 years in the business to be closer to his family and to write, his sister told the paper.
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Sorry to say somthing again, but to the Trolls here, just keep up your trolling. Everyone else, just ignore them. Trolls are just people who want attention.
Again, he will be missed. I think I will play a song for him later.
(As pointless as it is:)
This little 22 year old girl loves ya, Mr. Shadix. Thank you for all the laughs and infatuations over the years, sir.
He was an excellent actor, one of my favorites, in fact. I always found him attractive. He will be missed, and I will always remember him as Otho Fenlock and The Mayor of Halloween Town.
That's sad. He was pretty young. RIP, Glenn. Best wishes to the family.
Glenn was actually smaller than he was in Beetlejuice, he had lost over 100lbs from his pre-surgery weight. Glenn was never a small man and the "fat" references are misplaced and cruel. He was one of the kindest souls you could imagine and will be deeply missed by his family. The public sees the character actor but we see the person who was genuine and perfectly happy being with his family and friends. Glenn was nursing a bad ankle that had not completely healed from a previous surgery and needed a wheelchair to get around sometimes. Glenn was very busy and had many plans for 2011 as listed on his website glennshadix.com. RIP Glenn, the public may soon forget but we never will...
Glenn'sfamily,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry for the people who are using this article as a platform for hating fat people. Personally, I think he was very, very attractive. I am a gay man in my mid-thirties. I was young when I saw Beetlejuice, but I sure had my eyes glued on him the whole time I was watching..! Too bad he's been taken from this world. He seems like he had a lot of love to offer to many...
RIP, Nightmare B4 X-Mas Mayor!
He was also the building manager on Seinfeld (with his Latino partner Manny) and he was in The Paper Chase with John Houseman as well.
posting to see how long a post takes
RIP, Associate Bob!
um Why are people addressing him directly? Saying "I will miss him, he was good" is one thing, but talking to him as though he's around is strange. He's dead. If he's in heaven, he certainly isn't reading the comments on a crappy CNN article
BTW I loved you in Beetlejuice, dude.
I wonder if he got his Handbook for the Recently Deceased?
RIP Otho...
.
I wished more people would give Jesus this kind of praise. Shadix was an actor in some films. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Jesus deserves more praise than anyone ever and how many of you that are reading this post has prayed today? May God bless you all.
Because we're not talking about jesus for just this moment.
Jesus Christ! Chill out! G*d Damn!t!
Sad news, Great performer that will be missed.
enhance your calm
RIP Mr. Shadix. If there had been fool play invovled the creepy dud in the background would be a "person-of-intrest."
Fortunately, there was no fool play, dud.
That dud was most likely his lover at the time.
Speaking of fool, your spelling smells fool. Dud.
he finally gets his own copy of 'the handbook for the recently deceased' With sympathy to his relatives, Rest in peace Otho!
Hope he's movin' and groovin' to Harry Belafonte along with BJ & the gang. 🙂
RIP, dude.
Very sad...too young. Thanks for the laughs!
Luved the movie and he was good.
Most actors live and work in obscurity. At least he had a memorable role in a semi-classic movie.
Let's just hope he's rubbin' noses with Jesus.
I was wondering when someone would remember his role in Heathers! I love his line when he says, " . . . and as she so eloquently wrote in her suicide note, the way that life can suck!"
RIP.
boo
Oh wow, I just LOVED him in Beetlejuice, the Day-O dancing scene still runs through my head now and then and I sing along. Sympathy to the family. RIP Glenn.
and shame on those who have nothing nice to say but feel compelled to post something. Karma.
I always enjoyed Mr. Shadix's performances - great delivery and awesome voice - and so funny. Very sad he died so young - my own mama's age - far too young!
What is Samantha Ronson doing in the picture?
I hope he has a Handbook for the Recently Deceased! RIP Mr. Shadix.
Aw, Glenn, you were so funny, and such a fascinating character. And like me, a diabetic with weight problems. Just a year younger too. Really enjoyed your writing about growing up Gay in the South. You lost so much weight too, but I guess there's only so much you can do once the diabetes digs in. You made Beetlejuice come alive. Happy Trails big fella. You must have left a lot of friends and loved ones behind.
Geniuses!
Glenn Shaddix was not overweight when he died.
I just wanna know what that guy in the background is doing??
Most people can tell the look of love/severe admiration. Glenn was a gay man, you know. That was most likely his lover. And good for you, Glenn...
@lance corporal/SYLVI212/all the other haters... What a blatant display of projecting your self-loathing on this dead guy by inserting anti fat/gay comments. Nobody's perfect, and those who shout the loudest are the least perfect. So, keep going, while the rest of us with intelligence laugh atcha.
Mr. Shadix was a hoot; he played characters that were very comfortable with their superiority.
I shall miss his work.
Don't forget him on Seinfeld. He was the only one in Jerry's building who could understand Julio's Spanish!
That's right! I just watched an episode of Seinfeld recently with Glenn Shadix. That character was very funny.
How grand it is that his talents will live forever through the miracle of film,digital and other archiving methods. I wish that could be so for us poor mortals.,
Mobility problems? Sounds like the humptey dumptey fell down and did not have a life alert bracelet.
You are a pathetic trash.
Totido, u need to look in the mirror
he had some good roles, character actors are always the best actors, stars are over rated, 58 dam that's young, this should be a clear warning to many, live fat = die young ...... and spending your waning years with "mobility problems"
my 1st daughter LOVED beetlejuice and I watched it with her 100 times at least, he was a delight in it
I agree that being overweight is dangerous to one's health but according to another posting, Mr. Shadix had bariatric surgery and lost 100 lbs. Also, I am very aware that 58 is a young age to pass away since my father passed away only two months after he turned 58 and he was not overweight nor had he ever been overweight. Your reply was hurtful, inappropriate, insensitive, cruel, and just downright mean considering this person whom I doubt you ever knew or even met is no longer living. The only things anyone should say about someone who has died are: rest in peace, my condolences to his/her family, and sorry for your loss.
I met him once at a SF/F convention in Columbus OH. what a sweet and gentle soul he was. He will be missed mourned.
yeah sure u did
@Obama – actually, quite probably he/she DID meet Mr. Shadix at a S/F convention in Ohio. Many actors do frequent those, after all...
RIP Associate Bob.
We'll Look at it this way ...he was finally delivered from LL BEAN
Who is the photo gobblin?
And zsa zsa is still hanging around.
TooBadSoSad you're totally incorrect. He underwent gastric bypass surgery a few years back and lost 100 pounds. He was recently having problems with sciatica and therefore was temporarily wheelchair bound. Seems you should do a bit more fact-checking and a lot less hating, you waste of human life who just happens to own a computer!
Thanks for the information, too bad it wasn't in the article.
TooBadSoSad...In truth, you are too sad to be bad. That is my opinion.
He should have taken better care of himself. By the looks of it, he was too fat and it killed him. That is my opinion.
No matter how inaccurate, inept, or unnecessary it may be, right?
Seriously, the fact CNN still allows people to comment on any story is often mind boggling based on the way people prove their intelligence.
Hey, shouldn't you be lowering the IQ over at YouTube?
Young Sinatra! Only Frank was the young "SINATRA"
Get a life!
Did everyone forget that Mr. Shadix had another memorable role in Demolition Man, he upstaged Stallone and Bullock and made a ho hum movie amusing. RIP Don't let the bast*rds get you down.
Yeah, his role as Associate Bob in Demolition Man was my first thought too.
my first thought was his Orson Wells-esk version of Leopold Doppler from Jean Shepherd's 'My Summer Story' (also know as 'It Runs in the Family')
Along with his more popular "Beetlejuice" role, I also think of Glenn as the sermon leader for the various funerals in "Heathers." He had a really good film voice and was funny even in his smaller roles. RIP Glenn.
He was awesome in Heathers! The best line he ever had in moviemaking: "ESSS-KI-MO!"
Unreal...spelling cops and flame wars over this poor guy. Hey, he was human, nothing more nothing less...and he did have a great part in Beetlewhateve, and will be remembered for that part if nothing else for years to come....RIP Glenn.
RIP big guy I loved you in Bettle Juice you really made that movie that much better 🙂 its a shame that we have to have trolls on these forms come on America quit being stupid. I think what he would want to be remembered for would be his ability to make people laugh I will miss him for that as well as for being a human. And on that note I say goodby sir and remember the golden rule about fat folkes dont get between us and are food you will not survive 🙂
P.S. can you leave your handbook for the recently deceased on my doorstep 🙂 would love to be able to bring you back so we could kick it with everyone else 🙂 Cubby Kids RULL!!!!! well untell they pass out for running to hard.
I wonder if he's gonna be buried in that single knit polyester leisure suit?
I am really saddened to hear about his passing. My thoughts go out to Mr. Shadix's family. Otho will live on forever.
Yayyy CNN for making the headline "Bettle Juice." The finding-typos-on-CNN game is almost getting too easy :/
The CNN headline reads "Beetle Juice", not Bettlejuice. Regardless, the main idea of the article is the fact that a human being has died. Lets show some respect for the deceased.
Am I the only one seeing the headline on CNN as Bettle Juice?
What's a bettle?
A small bet?
I am rolling on the floor l.m.f.a.o.
Can CNN get nothing right? The name of the film was "Beetlejuice," not "Beetle Juice."
***BZZZZZT***
WRONG.
Pull out the cover of your DVD or go to IMDB and check first next time you ridiculous person.
Kathy,
Go home to Faux news
R.I.P. Mr. Shadix
Uh, corrector – the DVD cover shown on Wikipedia shows it as one word. IMDB shows it as two. So I'd be hesitant to correct someone on that one.
Careful there. You are degrading the most "trusted name in news" according to them.
Ha
Beeltejuice! Beetlejuice! beetlejuice! Now I'm on the other side to be with you, Glenn! RIP!
Not that this is worth writing about, but IMDB has it listed as Beetle Juice, but the characters name is Beetlejuice, and on the front of the video cover it reads BEETLEJUICE.
"Beetle Juice"... never heard of it, but Beetlejuice is a great film!
I thought it was "Beetlegeuse" after the Beetlegeuse star, not Beetlejuice. What the hell is that? That movie was horrible, as are all of Tim Burton's works.
"Don't mind her. She's still upset because somebody dropped a house on her sister."
Great line and I've always loved the way he delivered it.
RIP, man..
Yes! Perfect!
One of my top twenty favorite lines from a movie and I agree – his delivery was priceless!
Deeply saddened to learn of Glenn's passing at such a young age. I will be turning 58 next month.
Glenn was magnificent in "Beetlejuice".
Rest In Peace, Glenn Shadix. You will live on in your films.
Yes, I agree, that line was perfect and he was the perfect Otho. Since my dad passed away also at the age of 58, this is especially sad for me even though I did not personally know Mr. Shadix. Rest in peace Mr. Shadix and very sorry for your loss to his family.
So sorry to hear of his passing and at such a young age! Rest in peace, dear sir, you are free!
"...To the living, let now the dead...come ALIVE!!!" You will live on forever as Otho, Mr. Shadix! RIP
What a performance Mr. Shadix gave in Beetlejuice. If only for that role, he will be remembered for a long time. Thanks and Rest in Peace.
We just watched Beetlejuice again over the weekend, so this is especially poignant for our family.
RIP Mr Shadix. You'll be sorely missed
Aww I hope his family is taking it well. RIP Mr. Shadix, you were quite an actor!
The dance you were doing to the song "Day-o" is a cinema classic for the ages in Beetlejuice. Thanks for the great memories.