RIP: Angus Scrimm, The Tall Man

Angus Scrimm, best known for playing the Tall Man in the Phantasm movies, has passed away at age 89.

Entertainment Weekly learned of the news from Don Coscarelli, who directed Phantasm in 1979 and went on to direct the three sequels. Coscarelli and Scrimm were longtime friends and collaborators, first working together on the 1976 film Jim, the World’s Greatest.

Born Lawrence Rory Guy in Kansas City, KS, Scrimm studied theatre in Los Angeles, but faced with the challenges of making a living as an actor, he worked at Capitol Records writing liner notes for musicians.

Phantasm was his breakout role, but he also starred in I Sell the Dead in 2008, and had a recurring role in Alias.

Scrimm again played the Tall Man in Phantasm: Ravager, the fifth film in the franchise, set for release in 2016. The original Phantasm will soon be available in a restored version overseen at by J.J. Abrams, creator of Alias and Phantasm fan.

“Angus Scrimm passed away peacefully tonight surrounded by his friends and loved one,” Coscarelli wrote to EW via e-mail. “[His] performance as the Tall Man is a towering achievement in horror film history. He was the last in a long line of classic horror movie stars. He was a terrific actor and an even better friend. He will be missed.”