This week, we received the somber news that actor Whitney Rydbeck, known for his brief yet memorable role in “Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives,” has died at the age of 79.
Director of “Jason Lives,” Tom McLoughlin, shared a heartfelt statement with Bloody Disgusting: “It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of the wonderfully talented comedian and actor Whitney Rydbeck. He portrayed Roy, the nerdy businessman and paintball player, whose comedic performance continues to bring laughter to audiences nearly 40 years later.”
Reflecting on their long-standing partnership, McLoughlin added, “Whitney and I collaborated for over 53 years. We’ve worked together on numerous projects, both on stage and in film. I specifically wrote the role of Roy in ‘Jason Lives’ for him, knowing his exceptional talent. Over the years, we became close friends.”
“Whitney was one of the kindest, most heartfelt, and lovable individuals I’ve ever known. Witnessing his battle with cancer over the past year and a half was truly heartbreaking. Despite his condition, he appeared on stage with nearly the entire ‘Jason Lives’ cast at a sold-out screening for the American Cinematheque last year. He managed to make the audience laugh with his stories and antics, even then.”
Beyond the horror genre, Whitney Rydbeck’s career spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows from 1970 to 2007. His notable roles included appearances in “The Brady Bunch,” “Lassie,” “Monster Squad” (1976), “Rocky II,” “MASH,” “Battle Beyond the Stars,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “7th Heaven,” “Party of Five,” and “Scrubs.”
Reflecting on the loss, McLoughlin expressed, “I will miss Whitney in countless ways. He had a unique gift for bringing joy to people. Our loss is truly Heaven’s gain.”
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