I know this unfortunate update hit the news many hours ago, but I just got home from work, read it and felt the need to pay tribute to an actor that had given so much to the horror and science fiction genres.
It was announced yesterday that genre actor Irwin Keyes, most known for playing Ravelli in Rob Zombie’s House of 1,000 Corpses had passed away at age 63 due to complications from acromegaly, a pituitary gland disorder. The announcement was made official with confirmation from Keyes’ niece, Rene Galarza. E Online! quotes her as saying:
“Early this morning my family was informed that our beloved uncle, brother, teammate and friend, Irwin Keyes, has had his last curtain call. He is now an angel for us all and will be watching down. Our family wishes to thank all of you who have been a part of his life. He will be missed very much.”
Although recognized by mainstream movie and television viewers for his recurring role on “The Jeffersons,” Irwin made a ton of brief appearances in horror and scifi films such as Nocturna (1979), Bloodrage (1979), Friday the 13th (1980), Zapped (1982), Adventures in Dinosaur City (1991), The Silence of the Hams (1994), Here Come the Munsters (1995), The Vampire Hunters Club (2001), Legend of the Phantom Rider (2002) and. Neighborhood Watch (2005).
His larger appearances in film include The Private Eyes (1980), Frankenstein General Hospital (1988), Disturbed (1990), The Fallen Ones (2005), Shadowbox (2005), Horror High (2005), El Mascarado Massacre (2006), Darkplace (2007), Dream Slashers (2007), Dahmer vs. Gacy (2010), Evil Bong 3D: The Wrath of Bong (2011), Dead Kansas (2013) and Professor Creepy’s Scream Party (2013).
All of us at HorrorSociety.com send our condolenses to his family, friends and fans!
R.I.P. Irwin Keyes
March 16, 1952 – July 8, 2015
