Character Actor Tom Towles Dead at 65

“Otis, plug it in!”

It’s been a tough week for horror fans. First Robert Z’Dar passed away, and now Tom Towles. The actor would have a cult following if he had co-starred in nothing else but HENRY PORTRAIT OF  A SERIAL KILLER in 1986. His Otis was based on Ottis Toole, the vile drifter who, along with Henry Lee Lucas (played in the film by Michael Rooker), left a trail of bodies in their wake. Towles was scary-good as Otis, and went on to co=star in a number of cult horror films including Tom Savini’s NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD remake, THE BORROWER, and FORTRESS. Towles became a regular for director Rob Zombie with roles in HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES, THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, and HALLOWEEN. He had not appeared in a film since 2008, but had become a staple on the horror movie convention circuit. He died today of heart disease at age 65.

From The New York Daily News:

“Tom Towles has reportedly passed away at age 65, according to an announcement made by director Rob Zombie via Facebook. The Chicago-born actor’s most memorable roles included Otis in “Henry: Portraits of a Serial Killer” and Harry Cooper in the remake of “Night of the Living Dead.” Towles also played roles in the horror films “House of 1,000 Corpses,” “The Devil’s Rejects” and “Halloween.” The actor has also made appearences on “L.A. Law,” “ER,” “NYPD Blue” and “Star Trek: Deep Space.”…..”

Read the rest HERE

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/tom-towles-dies-age-65-report-article-1.2174484