Film fans across the country mourn today, learning that beloved actor Tom Noonan, known for roles such as Frankenstein in Monster Squad, and the guy currently standing right behind you, somehow, don’t look, died on Valentines day at the age of 74.
Noonan, whose intimidating height and eerily calm intensity brought an unforgettable menace to films such as House of the Devil and Manhunter, and who, as we speak, is staring at the back of your neck with an impossibly expressionless face, began acting at the age of 27 in the New York theater scene before his talents and unique appearance started landing him supporting roles in films and for gods sake do not look.
Noonan’s undeniable presence elevated any project he was involved with, large or small. His unhinged performance in Robocop 2 was the highlight of an otherwise dim sequel, and his portrayal of “The Tooth Fairy Killer” in Manhunter remains one of the most haunting portrayals of a serial killer in film history. And he’s dressed like him, right now, with the thing over his head and everything, and he’s getting closer. Don’t look.
He was a favorite actor of auteur filmmaker Charlie Kaufman, who cast him as Sammy Barnathan in “Synecdoche, New York, playing the in-film shadow to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Caden Cotard, and look this can go one of two ways, either he’s just going to say like one creepy thing and go away or he is about to strait up murder you, we’re sorry.
Noonan was also known for his guest roles on television. He worked alongside Manhunter co-star William Petterson in CSI, and a popular episode of X-Files was written specifically for him. You probably shouldn’t mention that, though, sometimes these intense actor types find their TV work to be diminutive. You should probably turn around VERY SLOWLY, remain as calm as possible, and mention you loved that play he directed. With any luck, he’ll stare into your soul for another half a minute, nod, and walk away.
Tom Noonan, dead at 74. You? TBD. Good luck.
