Andy Hallett, "Angel" Actor, Dies At 33

LOS ANGELES — Andy Hallett, who made his mark playing green-skinned, good-guy demon Lorne on the TV series "Angel," has died of congestive heart disease. Hallett was 33.

Hallett was taken by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after having problems breathing and died there Sunday, following a five-year battle with the heart condition, his agent Pat Brady said Tuesday.

His father, Dave Hallett, was by his side.

"Andy was the all-American boy from Massachusetts," Brady said. "He was a hoot. He was comfortable wherever he went. Girls loved him. He was a very gregarious, happy young man."

Born and raised in Osterville, Mass., Hallett moved out to Los Angeles when he was 23 and worked as a messenger at a talent agency, said Brady.

He went on to become an assistant to Joss Whedon's wife, Brady said. It was when Whedon saw the lanky Hallett perform karaoke that he had him audition for "Angel," a spinoff of Whedon's hit series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Hallett snagged the part of Lorne.

Hallett proved himself a fan favorite on "Angel" as the show tune loving, red horned demon seer who runs the karaoke club Caritas and can read a person's aura when they sing, revealing their problems and futures.

The series, starring David Boreanaz as the brooding vampire Angel, ran for five seasons on the WB network before it was canceled, ending in 2004.

Hallett was diagnosed with his heart condition at the end of the show, said Brady, and had been in and out of hospitals for the past five years. He decided to concentrate on his own music, stepping away from acting.

Hallett, an only child, is survived by his father Dave Hallett and mother Lori Hallett.

Comments

[dkuz09]

Very very very sad to hear about this. Such a talented actor and he gave that show sooooo many great performances; this is really breaking my heart--I was such a fan of his work.

Rest in Peace Andy....

[susou]

that's very sad. RIP

[tangelan]

This is awful. I wondered why he wasn't acting anymore. He was my favorite on Angel.

[katlade]

Wow. He was really great on Angel. I watch it on TNT often and he was one of my favorite characters. RIP

[Madmac]

How horrible and how tragic. My Condolences to the family...

[Lucille]

Such a loss, especially to his family, he was so young. God please console the parents of Andy Hallett, Amen.

[onedivasinger]

How very, very sad. I hope now that people who did not have the fame this young man had can benefit from the care that health care for all might just provide. I wonder, before his "unions" were available to him through his career, did he have benefits and health care options? Many actors don't. The right wing fails to mention that little fact when they demonize "Hollywood."

[Mattie]

why is this poor man's death political to you, can't it just be sad. Can't you just offer your sympathy, does it have to be an issue. What is wrong with you!

[jukesgrrl]

I think it's a very legitimate question. His death is tragic, as are the deaths of all whose early demises could have been avoided by healthcare that should be available to all in the richest nation in the world.

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

How horrible.....I watched "Angel" religiously, and loved Andy's character. My thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and fans.

[AngusC]

RIP Lorne.
He was awesome.
I was just watching Angel a few days ago.

[Donegal]

So sad -- what a wonderful actor, comic, and singer. One of my favorites. Condolences to his family.

[IndyReader]

How perfectly awful. I first thought that maybe all of that green make-up affected him, he had 4 or 5 years of wearing that, right? But how sad that I'll never see the guy acting without his Loren make-up.

[FairisFair]

he was on the show the last couple of seasons. he was my favorite character next to angel

[sisterdebmac]

He was on the show for seasons 2-5, that's four seasons. Just to give credit where it's due.

[Thundercat]

If you're able to find the independent film "Chance" (written and directed by "Buffy" alum Amber Benson), you'll see Andy au natural in a touching performance. At the very least, I imagine clips are available on YouTube.

[sisterdebmac]

OMG! Thanks for mentioning Chance! I was going to say that everyone who loved him simply has to see that movie. He was adorable in it, kinda pining for James Marsters' character, Simon. It's actually a must-see movie for all Buffy/Angel fans --- written, produced, directed by and starring Amber Benson. Andy without the make-up and the bravado was a beautiful thing. And he got to sing a little too.

I also have some video of him at a con and he was just so darn cute and sweet. And people LOVED him. This is so incredibly sad. Especially since Angel already lost a very talented actor to an untimely death in it's first season, Glenn Quinn.

As an only child myself, I can imagine how devastated his family is. My deepest condolences to them and to his friends and fans.

[bibimimi]

Lorne was a great character and Andy worked him like...aw! Why SO young?!!!

[ConfuciusSay-]

This is awful news.

[TexasMother]

He and and his family are in my prayers. It is beyond heartbreaking for a parent to lose their child.

[oregonbird]

Poor Andy! He's a real loss to the people in his life -- he was a sweetheart.

And for everyone who doesn't know, he had trouble with a tooth while working on 'Angel', and ended up with a major infection which he tried to ignore so as not to throw off the shooting schedule; he ended up in the hospital with heart problems.

[RickyPoo]

If what you write is true and not rumor, then that is incredibly outrageous.

Studios, production people and directors have an obligation to take care of the well-being of their colleagues. I can't imagine ANYONE enduring toothache pain like you describe in any workplace I've ever been in without my boss as well as several colleagues INSISTING that they get medical attention immediately.

Let's have safe and compassionate sets, Hollywood.

After all, wasn't one Brandon Lee enough?.....

[deckard70]

Although he was in a position to be seen by a dentist, his death from a simple tooth infection (an infection that was easily carried to his heart, which was then severely damaged by it) should alert us all to the fact that dental care and dental insurance should not be a luxury. Dental care must be considered part of health care.

Anyone who has had their molars out probably remembers their dentist's attention to making sure the wounds did not get infected. It wasn't just talk.

[Mattie]

perhaps he didn't tell his boss he was in pain, perhaps it was his choice not to go. Perhaps he never imagined it would lead to this. I personally wouldn't tell several colleagues if I didn't feel well. I'm an adult, I don't need people INSISTNG I go to the doctor, it's called free will, we all make our own decisions. This is just a sad story, and we probably won't ever know what happened,

[bellemeade]

According to my doctor and dentist, anyone having heart valve problems as I do, (mitral valve prolapse) or anyone who has had any major surgery ( in the case of my father, knee replacement) should be treated with antibiotics before any dental procedure because infection in the teeth leads directly to the bloodstream and to that defective valve or joint. Some people are now moving away from that practice, but my dentist always insists on erring on the side of safety.

[Solstice1221]

OMG! Something similar happened to me 10 years ago when I was 25 y/o. I developed a sever sinus and ear infection, which caused a minor heart attack. I was lucky. The ER docs said no permanent damage, but I did get diagnosed with hypertension and have endured daily medication for it since. It taught me no matter how young you are, you are not invincible. I did not have insurance then and ended up paying through the nose for years. But I am alive and witnessed the birth of two nephews and a niece whom I adore. When your body tells you something is wrong, get it checked out anyway you can. The benefits will surely outweigh the consequences.