Tom Towles

I'm saddened to learn this morning of the death of much-loved character actor Tom Towles.

Early in his career he was a regular in John McNaughton's films, also turning up in Stuart Gordon's The Pit and the Pendulum and Fortress, as well as a role in Tom Savini's NOTLD remake.

To younger horror fans he may be more recognisable as a returning face in Rob Zombie's films (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects, Halloween and the Grindhouse trailer Werewolf Women of the SS), but I'm sure he'll be most remembered by all for his unforgettably sleazy portrayal of Otis in McNaughton's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

His performance as Michael Rooker's loathsome sidekick stands proudly alongside similar roles such as Joe Spinell's Frank Zito, De Niro's Travis Bickle and Jake Gyllenhaal's Lou Bloom. Characters that you would never want to encounter in real life, but who provide such fascinating and multi-dimensional glimpses into the ugliest recesses of our society (and ourselves) that not only can we not turn away, we are riveted and find ourselves returning for more.