Tony Slattery, the renowned comedian and actor, has passed away at the age of 65 after suffering a heart attack, his partner Mark Michael Hutchinson confirmed.
Slattery, famous for his appearances on the Channel 4 improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and other programs like Just A Minute and Have I Got News For You, was recently touring with a comedy show and had launched his podcast, Tony Slattery’s Rambling Club, in October.
A statement from his partner read: “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.”
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Born in 1959, Slattery attended the University of Cambridge, where he was classmates with Dame Emma Thompson, Sir Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie. He served as president of the prestigious Cambridge Footlights improvisation group and won the first-ever Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe alongside Sir Stephen and Dame Emma. Slattery was also one of the original patrons of the Leicester Comedy Festival and served as a rector at the University of Dundee.
Throughout his career, Slattery was open about his struggles with bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and mental health issues. In 2020, he revealed that he had gone bankrupt, citing his “fiscal illiteracy” and misplaced trust as contributing factors. That year, he released the BBC documentary What’s The Matter With Tony Slattery?, which followed his journey with Hutchinson as they sought expert advice on mood disorders and addiction.
Tributes have poured in from fellow comedians. Sir Stephen Fry, in a heartfelt Instagram post, described Slattery as “just about the gentlest, sweetest soul I ever knew,” adding that it was “a cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us just as he had really begun to emerge from his lifelong battle with so many dark demons.” He expressed his condolences to Hutchinson, who had been Slattery’s devoted partner for nearly 40 years.
Other comedians, including Richard K. Herring and Al Murray, have also paid tribute to Slattery’s “dazzling talent.” Tom Walker, best known for his Jonathan Pie character, called the news of his death “absolutely heartbreaking” and referred to Slattery as a “genius.”
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Slattery’s career spanned multiple media, including film, television, and stage. In addition to his work on improv comedy shows, he appeared in films such as The Crying Game, How To Get Ahead in Advertising, and Peter’s Friends, alongside Laurie, Sir Stephen, and Dame Emma. He also appeared in Carry On Columbus, Robin Hood, Red Dwarf, and Coronation Street, among others.
On stage, Slattery earned an Olivier Award nomination for Best Comedy Performance in 1995 for his role in Tim Firth’s Neville’s Island. He also starred in Privates On Parade and made his West End debut in the musical Radio Times.
Slattery is survived by his partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson, who was by his side for over three decades.
