Character actor Tom Noonan, familiar to television audiences for his chilling turns on shows such as The X-Files and The Blacklist, has passed away. He was 74 years old.
Director Fred Dekker, who worked with Noonan on the 1987 cult film The Monster Squad — in which Noonan played Frankenstein’s monster — revealed on Facebook Wednesday that the actor died Saturday. No immediate details about the cause of death were released. Filmgoers will also recall Noonan from movies including Robocop 2, Last Action Hero and Synecdoche, New York.
Dekker, who is 66, paid tribute to Noonan and described his performance in The Monster Squad as one of the standout moments of his own modest directing resume. He said he initially asked Noonan to read the Monster Squad script after being blown away by the actor’s portrayal of serial killer Francis Dolarhyde in Michael Mann’s 1986 Manhunter.
Dekker also shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about the burdensome makeup Noonan endured while playing the monster, noting that the actor found the prosthetics tedious and would often remove them as soon as filming wrapped. On one occasion, Dekker recalled, Noonan didn’t even bother to take the makeup off before driving home — he simply went in his Frankenstein appliance. Dekker went on to describe Noonan as a true gentleman and a scholar, and said the world has lost a rare talent.
Born April 12, 1951, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Noonan’s first screen appearances came in 1980 with roles in Willie & Phil and Bethlehem Sleigh/Heaven’s Gate. Over the following decades he continued to appear in a wide range of films, including notable parts in Heat (1995) and the horror film The House of the Devil (2009). His last credited film role was in 2017’s Wonderstruck.
Noonan left a lasting mark on television as well. His 1996 guest turn on The X-Files as John Lee Roche in the episode “Paper Hearts” is frequently cited by fans and critics as one of the series’ most memorable installments, largely because of the unnerving quality he brought to the role of a serial killer.
He returned to TV later with a striking appearance on a 2013 episode of The Blacklist, portraying a character known as “The Stewmaker,” a villain infamous for dissolving bodies in acid — another role that showcased his gift for unsettling performances.
In addition to his acting work, Noonan wrote and directed several features, including What Happened Was…, The Wife, Wang Dang and The Shape of Something Squashed, expanding his creative footprint beyond acting.
Noonan was married to actress Karen Young from 1992 until 1999. He is survived by his children, including his daughter Wanda and a son.
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