Sad news to start of the morning folks. Glenn Shadix, also known as Otho from BEETLEJUICE, died yesterday morning at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. He was pretty much a famous thespian who played in a lot of favorite films and even more appearances in television and animated series. Actually, the guy’s been in almost 75 different shows altogether.
Gleen Shadix is also known for starring in shows like HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES and THE MASK series. Most notably, however, is his partnership with Tim Burton. Shadix is known, Johnny Depp aside, for having a very close professional relationship with Burton. Burton chose him to star in films such as THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, PLANET OF THE APES and the 1988 horror comedy BEETLEJUICE, which he is probably most widely remembered in as the great Otho. In BEETLEJUICE he plays the kooky interior designer who takes a wack at summoning the dead.
Shadix returned to Alabama, his home state, after spending a nice chunk of time in Los Angeles. Recently, Shadix had been in a wheelchair according to his sister, Susan Gagne. Gagne states that the actor was “having mobility problems” and may have fallen out of his wheelchair and “hit his head on the kitchen floor.” This is presumed to be the lead cause of his death.
The actor was 58 when he died. Survivors include his sister, mother and brother-in-law. Juliet Green, Shadix’s personal manager, states after working with him for over a decade, “He was one of the most creative, original, funny and wise performers I’ve ever had the privilege to work with.”
His role alone in BEETLEJUICE seemed to have given the man cult status. He was known as Otho and he’ll probably always be remembered as Otho. It’s certain that people growing up with BEETLEJUICE will probably never forget the actor.
Here’s to you Shadix. Ali Landry.