Tom Towles

Tom Towles (March 20, 1950 – April 2, 2015) was an American actor born in Chicago, Illinois, who worked across film, theatre, and television, building a career centered on villain and intimidating supporting roles. He is survived by a sister named Kai. Prior to pursuing acting, Towles served briefly in the United States Marine Corps.

Towles launched his acting career in Chicago in 1971 as a member of the Organic Theater Company. His stage work brought him to Broadway in 1973, where he appeared in Warp. He subsequently returned to Chicago, continuing his work with the Organic Theater Company and also performing at the Goodman Theatre.

His screen debut came with a minor role as a cop in Dog Day Afternoon (1975). Following that appearance, Towles stepped away from film for roughly a decade before returning with Pink Nights (1985). His career-defining moment arrived with Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986), in which he portrayed Otis, a character based on real-life serial killer Ottis Toole. The performance earned Towles an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Male.

Towles went on to appear in a wide range of films, including Night of the Living Dead, Blood In Blood Out, The Rock, Dr. Dolittle, and Grindhouse. He developed a recurring working relationship with filmmaker Rob Zombie, appearing in House of 1000 Corpses (2003), The Devil's Rejects (2005), and Halloween (2007). His television credits included NYPD Blue, Seinfeld, L.A. Law, ER, Miami Vice, Malcolm in the Middle, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Firefly.

Towles died on April 2, 2015, at the age of 65, in a hospital in Pinellas, Florida, from complications following a stroke.