Tony Slattery, a British actor and comedian best known for his quick wit on “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, passed away on the morning of January 14, 2025. He suffered a heart attack two days prior and was 65 years old at the time of his death.
Slattery’s long-term partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson, confirmed the news to the BBC, stating, “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.”
Slattery, born Tony Declan James Slattery in 1959 in north London, was the son of working-class Irish immigrants. He earned a scholarship to Cambridge University where he studied medieval and modern languages. During his time there, fellow student Stephen Fry invited him to join the Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe, a group that also featured future stars like Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Sandi Toksvig, Jan Ravens, and Richard Vranch.
He made a name for himself at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he was one of the first recipients of the Perrier Award, marking him as a rising star in British comedy.
Slattery’s television career began in 1983 on Chris Tarrant’s show “Saturday Stayback.” He later appeared in children’s shows like “Behind the Bike Sheds” and “TX.” His breakthrough came in 1988 as a regular on Channel 4’s “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” where he remained for seven seasons until 1995.
His theater credits include leading the 1986 West End musical “Me and My Girl.” His portrayal of Gordon in Tim Firth’s “Neville’s Island” earned him an Olivier Award nomination for best comedy performance. He was a frequent guest on shows such as “Just a Minute” and “Have I Got News for You.”
Comedian Al Murray expressed his sorrow, saying, “Really sad news about Tony Slattery. Such a dazzling talent.” Actress Helen Lederer shared on social media, “My best friend in laughter, wit, love, absurdity, being my best man (twice), we adored you — what will we do now.” Comedian Josie Lawrence also praised Slattery for his talent, wit, and kindness.
Slattery’s film roles include appearances in Neil Jordan’s “The Crying Game” (1989), “How to Get Ahead in Advertising” (1989), and “Peter’s Friends” (1992), where he worked with his Cambridge contemporaries Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, and Hugh Laurie.
In the mid-1990s, Slattery was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, resulting in a hiatus from public life. He addressed his mental health issues in a 2019 documentary with Stephen Fry. Another documentary, “What’s the Matter with Tony Slattery?”, released in 2020, delved into his personal struggles and childhood trauma.
Despite these challenges, Slattery remained active in recent years, launching a podcast and touring with a comedy show. Through it all, his partner Hutchinson offered unwavering support. Slattery’s last projects included roles in various BBC productions.
