Susan Tyrrell, Oscar-nominated actress and figure of cult adoration, has passed away.
Highlights from Tyrrell’s long and eclectic career include John Huston’s Fat City (she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the 1972 film), 1982’s Forbidden Zone, 1990’s Cry-Baby. She relocated to Austin several years ago and most recently appeared in the Zellner Bros.’ Kid-Thing.
Tyrrell’s official website posted her passing on June 17, offering no other details. Tyrrell collaborated with the Alamo Drafthouse on multiple events over the years – including this 2010 event, which prompted Audra Schroeder to proclaim her, quite, simply, “the baddest bitch” – and Drafthouse programmer Zack Carlson says plans are afoot for a June 28 tribute screening of Fat City at the Alamo South Lamar. (Can’t wait? Fat City screens tonight on TCM at 7pm.)
David Zellner, Tyrrell’s Kid-Thing director, posted this remembrance to Facebook:
“It was such a joy to have been pals with the one and only Susan Tyrrell. Her lust for life, her fixation with provocation and the subversive was so refreshing and fun. And her absolute candor. Nothing was off limits with her- she didn’t mince words, she loved what she loved and she hated what she hated. Whether you wanted to hear it or not, and oftentimes you didn’t. Soon after meeting she sent an email gushing about how much she loved “Fiddlestixx” of all things, and that meant the world to me. She wasn’t interested in anything else we did but geez louise she loved a monkey freaking out in front of a green screen. I’m so grateful that we got to work together on KID-THING. Until we screened the finished product for her we had no idea which way it would go, and were humbled by how proud of it she was. She will be sorely missed.”
This article appears in June 15 • 2012.
