Glenn Shadix was a talented and versatile actor who appeared in many movies and TV shows, but he is best remembered for his role as Otho, the eccentric and flamboyant interior designer who dabbled in voodoo in Tim Burton’s 1988 comedy Beetlejuice. Shadix died on September 7, 2010, at the age of 58, from a blunt trauma to his head. How did this happen? Here is what we know about Glenn Shadix’s cause of death.
A Fatal Fall
According to his sister, Susan Gagne, Shadix had been using a wheelchair to get around after a recent surgery. He was alone in his Birmingham, Alabama home when he apparently fell in his kitchen and hit his head. His personal manager, Juliet Green, confirmed that he died from the injury. [according to CBS News]
Gagne said that she had spoken to Shadix the night before his death and he seemed fine. She also said that he was looking forward to starting rehearsals for a local production of Alan Bennett’s play The History Boys. [according to The Birmingham News]
Shadix’s death was a shock to his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a funny, kind, and generous person. Tim Burton, who directed him in Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Planet of the Apes, said that he was “a great character actor and a great friend”. [according to Entertainment Weekly]
A Remarkable Career
Shadix was born on April 15, 1952, in Bessemer, Alabama. He changed his surname from Scott to Shadix when he started working as an actor. He attended Birmingham–Southern College for two years, studying with absurdist playwright-director Arnold Powell. [according to Wikipedia]
He moved to New York City in 1977, where he worked in theater and befriended legendary playwright Tennessee Williams. He made his film debut in 1981’s The Postman Always Rings Twice, but his breakthrough role came in 1988’s Beetlejuice, where he stole the show as Otho, the snooty and scheming decorator who tries to exorcise the ghosts of the Maitlands (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis). [according to IMDb]
Shadix continued to work with Burton in 1993’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, where he voiced the Mayor of Halloween Town, and in 2001’s Planet of the Apes, where he played an orangutan senator. He also appeared in dozens of TV shows, such as Cheers, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Carnivàle, Teen Titans, Jackie Chan Adventures, and Justice League Unlimited. He was known for his distinctive voice and his ability to play quirky and memorable characters. [according to IMDb]
A Courageous Life
Shadix was openly gay and had a difficult childhood because of it. He came out at the age of 17 and faced rejection from his parents, who enrolled him in “ex-gay therapy”, which included shock treatments. When this failed to change his orientation, he attempted suicide by overdosing with Elavil. He survived a three-day coma and his parents eventually accepted him. [according to Truth Wins Out]
He married Jon Jung in 2008 in California during the brief period when same-sex marriage was legal there. They divorced later that year. In 2007, Shadix retired from Los Angeles and moved back to his native Alabama, where he bought a Victorian-era home. The house was destroyed by a fire in 2008, but Shadix managed to escape with his dog. [according to Wikipedia]
Shadix was a passionate advocate for animal rights and environmental causes. He also supported local arts and theater groups in Birmingham. He was loved by many people who admired his talent, humor, and generosity.
Glenn Shadix’s cause of death was a tragic accident that cut short the life of a brilliant actor and a wonderful human being. He left behind a legacy of unforgettable performances and a positive impact on the world. He will always be remembered as Otho, the Mayor, and many other characters that made us laugh and smile. Rest in peace, Glenn Shadix.
