Buddy Duress, an actor known for his striking roles in “Good Time” and “Heaven Knows What,” died due to a drug overdose in November 2023. He was 38 years old. His challenging past often influenced the characters he inhabited on-screen.

Duress’s death was attributed to cardiac arrest induced by a combination of drugs, as confirmed by his brother Christopher Stathis in February 2024. Duress was known for his genuine on-screen depictions, which were often derived from his personal experiences.

Michael C. Stathis, later known as Buddy Duress, was born in Queens, New York City in May 1985. He attended Robert Louis Stevenson High School in Manhattan, New York.

His life was a mix of successes and setbacks, punctuated by his breakout role in “Heaven Knows What” (2014) and a prominent performance alongside Robert Pattinson in “Good Time” (2017). These roles earned him critical praise and exposure, highlighting his raw talent and ability to bring depth to his characters.

Duress’s entry into acting was unconventional, starting from a point between imprisonment and rehabilitation. After being arrested for heroin possession in 2013, he was faced with a crucial decision: a long prison term or a drug rehab program.

Choosing rehab, Duress found himself at a transfer point, waiting for transportation to the rehab center. In a life-changing moment, Duress decided to run away, using the delay in the arrival of his escort to escape. He persuaded a stranger to assist him in eluding the authorities by swiping him onto the subway, leading him back to a form of freedom, however temporary it might have been.

This daring escape set Duress on a course of hiding, during which he lived covertly, savoring the freedoms of summer while continually being vigilant. This year-long period of living as a fugitive ended just one day shy of a full year, a critical moment in his life. Despite the threat of his past actions catching up with him, Duress considered this time one of the most liberating of his life.

Duress’s path unexpectedly veered towards acting during this tumultuous period, thanks to a random encounter with director Josh Safdie at Rikers Island. This meeting led to Duress securing a significant role in “Heaven Knows What,” a project that introduced him to the world of acting and gave him a sense of purpose he hadn’t previously experienced. Despite the potential effects of his legal problems on the film’s production, he committed to completing his role, which resulted in recognition and praise for his performance.

However, his journey was far from smooth. His past continued to shadow him, with arrests for grand larceny and threats to burn down his mother’s house, among other serious charges, disrupting his emerging acting career. He was incarcerated at Rikers Island twice in 2019.

Directors and colleagues in the film industry recognized something unique in Duress, appreciating his authenticity and raw talent. Dustin Guy Defa and Cameron Van Hoy both offered him roles that further solidified his place in the acting world. Van Hoy specifically praised Duress’s dynamic presence on screen and his ability to transform the chaos of his life into his roles, demonstrating a rare and enthralling talent.

Jay Karales, a director who worked with Duress, described him as bringing “authenticity and charisma to the screen,” calling it “a privilege to direct him.”

At the time of his death, Duress had finished work on two additional projects, “Skull” and “Mass State Lottery,” both of which were scheduled for release. These films now serve as posthumous reminders of his talent and the promising career that was abruptly ended by his premature death.

Duress is survived by his mother and brother, who have publicly expressed their grief, providing a glimpse into the personal impact of his death. His passing serves as a stark reminder of the realities of addiction and its effects on families and communities.