Comedian and Actor Tony Slattery Dies at 65 – Cause of Death Revealed

Yesterday, famous British actor and comedian Tony Slattery, born November 9, 1959, sadly passed away at 65, according to a report on Patreon and a statement made on behalf of Slattery’s longtime partner, actor Mark Michael Hutchinson.

“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,” reads the statement.

Apart from disclosing Slattery’s cause of death, the Patreon report further reveals that despite the very best efforts made by a local hospital to save the comedian’s life, Slattery succumbed to his heart attack on January 14, 2025.

The announcement also highlighted Slattery’s enduring influence on British comedy. It recalled his roots with the prestigious Cambridge Footlights, where he formerly served as president and shared the stage with iconic figures like Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Emma Thompson.

Known for his quick wit and larger-than-life personality, Slattery captured audiences through his unforgettable performances on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” and a string of TV appearances and films that made him a household name in the ’90s.

Aside from his stints in film and television, Slattery launched a podcast called “Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club” in October 2024. The show offered fans a chance to experience the comedian’s sharp wit and whimsical charm in an entirely new format.

Alongside his co-hosts, Paul Carmichael and Allan Lear, Slattery invited listeners on unpredictable journeys through quirky topics, blending humor with intellectual curiosity.

The podcast stood out for its unique premise — using a vintage bingo machine to select subjects from the Dewey Decimal System, resulting in unexpected discussions that veered from the mundane to the downright bizarre.

Adding an extra layer of magic to the experience, the voice of the bingo machine was none other than Slattery’s old friend and fellow Cambridge Footlights alumnus Fry.

Slattery and his companions took their audience on an imaginative ride with each episode, peppered with engaging conversations and the occasional surprise guest.

The podcast, described as part educational exploration and part comedic escapade, had a whimsical tone that was quintessentially Slattery.

Fans were encouraged to join “Rambling Club” via Patreon, where members gained access to exclusive content, including early episodes, bonus recordings, and even signed memorabilia.

Aside from his podcast, the statement announcing his death confirmed that Slattery, who grew up as one of five siblings, had been touring a comedy show in England.

The announcement also touched on the personal tragedies Slattery endured throughout his life, including the loss of his sister to cancer and one of his brothers to a heart attack just last year (2024).

Erica Lear, a close collaborator on Slattery’s latest projects, paid tribute to the late comedian in a moving statement. “I will miss my mischievous partner in crime. They say you should never meet your heroes, but I met mine and he became my best friend,” expressed Lear.

Like Lear, other entertainers — some of whom were friends with Slattery — have taken to social media to share tributes to the late actor, who is survived by Hutchinson and his ferocious cat, Molly.

Among the most heartfelt was a message from Fry. He shared a nostalgic photo of him, Slattery, Laurie, and other peers. In his moving caption, Fry described Slattery as “the gentlest, sweetest soul” and reflected on the cruel irony of his passing just as Slattery had begun to reclaim his place in the public eye.

“He had started live ‘evenings with’ and his own podcast series,” Fry noted before adding that it had been heartwarming to see his old friend realize how deeply loved and remembered he still was.

Fry’s tribute ended with a touching expression of support for Slattery’s longtime partner Hutchinson, calling him “staunch” and “devoted” in his near four-decade relationship with Slattery.

In her tribute post, English actress and comedian Josie Lawrence reflected on her and Slattery’s shared memories, emphasizing the laughter and joy that Slattery brought to those around him.

She described him as “talented, kind, funny, and beautiful.” “Sending love and condolences to wonderful Mark. Rest in peace now Tony,” concluded Lawrence.

On Instagram, British comedian Helen Lederer shared a heartfelt message alongside a sweet photo of herself and Slattery, which captured a moment of warmth between the two longtime friends.

In her accompanying message, Lederer fondly referred to Slattery as her “best friend in laughter, wit, love, absurdity.”

The two comedians had a long history, with Slattery even serving as the best man at Lederer’s wedding — not once, but twice. “We adored you — what will we do now,” wrote Lederer, expressing the profound sense of loss felt by those closest to Slattery.

British comedian and actor Al Murray also took to social media to share his sorrow over Slattery’s passing. Posting on X, Murray expressed his admiration for Slattery’s comedic brilliance in a brief yet poignant message. “Really sad news about Tony Slattery. Such a dazzling talent,” penned Murray.

Murray’s tribute, though succinct, highlighted the widespread respect Slattery commanded within the comedy world.

While the actor is widely known for his time on “Whose Line Is It Anyway,” the show where host Clive Anderson would arbitrarily award points to players acting their way “through a series of improvisational games,” Slattery had an illustrious career.

His career spanned decades, marked by his versatility across television, film, and live performance. His rise to prominence began during his time with Cambridge Footlights, where he performed alongside peers — Fry, Laurie, and Thompson — who would become British comedy royalty.

Together, they created the renowned Cambridge Footlights Revue “The Cellar Tapes,” which won the inaugural Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, setting the stage for Slattery’s future success.

Following that breakthrough, Slattery became a familiar face on both the big and small screens, with appearances in notable films such as “The Crying Game,” “Robin Hood,” and “Carry On Columbus.”

On television, he starred in shows like “Red Dwarf,” “The Royal,” and the soap opera “Coronation Street.” His comedic talents also led to appearances on other programs, including “Peter’s Friends” and “Cold Blood.”

Slattery’s contributions to comedy extended beyond his performances. In 1994, he became one of the founding patrons of the Leicester Comedy Festival, joining industry greats such as Norman Wisdom and Sean Hughes in supporting up-and-coming comedic talent.

Throughout his career, Slattery’s ability to make audiences laugh while embracing difficult truths made him a truly unique performer.

In later years, Slattery took on more personal projects, including the deeply moving 2020 documentary “What’s the Matter With Tony Slattery?” which explored his struggles with mental health, childhood trauma, and his bipolar diagnosis.

Slattery spoke about his bipolar diagnosis during an interview with The Guardian in 2019. After years of battling addiction and erratic behavior, his diagnosis provided clarity on the internal chaos he had lived with for much of his life.

He described the condition as a constant battle between two extremes — mania that made everything seem exhilarating, followed by periods of deep withdrawal and bleakness.

Reflecting on his turbulent years in the 1990s, Slattery acknowledged that his bingeing on drugs and alcohol was likely a symptom of his untreated bipolar disorder rather than a case of traditional substance addiction.

“There’s no question,” Slattery previously said when asked about the aforementioned, explaining how mental illness can often present itself in unexpected ways.

Even his relentless work ethic during that period, where he accepted every job offered to him, was driven by his manic tendencies and a fear of financial instability. “I wasn’t born into money, so I didn’t want to lose it. But I lost the plot and the money,” he confessed.

Through it all, Slattery credited his survival to the unwavering support of Hutchinson, whom he met in the mid-1980s during a performance of “Me and My Girl.” Their bond endured through the darkest times, a testament to the strength of their love.

During the past interview, Slattery became emotional when speaking about Hutchinson’s steadfast loyalty, describing it as a form of unconditional love that humbled him deeply.

“He’s kept with me when my behavior has been so unreasonable, and I can only think it’s unconditional love […] It’s the mystery of love,” disclosed Slattery, his voice filled with emotion.

As fans and friends mourn Slattery’s passing, the legacy of his courage in confronting his battles and his dedication to raising awareness about mental health remains an essential part of his story.

We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Hutchinson and all of Slattery’s loved ones and friends as they grieve such a significant loss. RIP, Slattery.