Dazed and Confused star Nicky Katt’s cause of death revealed after landlord found his apartment door open & body inside
HOLLYWOOD star Nicky Katt’s cause of death has been revealed after his body was discovered by his landlord when he was late on rent.
Katt, who acted in cult classics like Dazed and Confused, suffered a mental health battle before he was found dead on April 8, his heartbroken family said.
The actor’s family said he fought his battle with depression “bravely but quietly.”
“This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do. Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible,” Elise Ravenscroft, Katt’s sister, told Deadline.
“We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.”
Ravenscroft asked for compassion from the public, not just for her family but “for every person who is silently struggling.”
“If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, please reach out. You are not alone, and help is available,” she added.
“Let us honor my brother’s memory by approaching one another with greater understanding, kindness, and care.”
The Los Angeles medical examiner listed his cause of death as suicide by hanging.
The actor had been dead for at least a day before his body was found.
His landlord said he opened Katt’s door to find him hanging in his Burbank apartment.
The LA County’s medical examiner listed the actor’s official cause of death as suicide by hanging.
Katt left no suicide note or explanation as to why he committed suicide, but his family said the actor struggled with depression, Deadline reported.
The outlet reported that it appeared the actor was dead for at least a day before his body was found.
Ravenscroft called out TMZ, which first reported her brother’s death earlier this morning, for reporting it without her consent.
The South Dakota native began acting in the 1970s when he appeared on the 1977 TV series CHiPs.
He was best known for his role as the bully Clint Bruno in the 1993 film Dazed and Confused.
In the iconic high school film, Katt stands out for his line: ” I only came here to do two things, man: kick some ass and drink some beer…Looks like we’re almost out of beer.”
Elsie Ravenscroft's full statement
Personal Statement on the Loss of My Brother
I am deeply saddened that the details of my brother’s passing were made public without my consent at a time when our family was still trying to process the shock and grief of his loss.
Today, with the heaviest of hearts, I share the devastating news of my brother’s passing. He died by suicide after battling with depression—one that he fought bravely but quietly.
This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do. Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.
In this moment of grief, we kindly ask for compassion—not only for our family as we mourn this unimaginable loss—but for every person who is silently struggling. We also ask for privacy to navigate this tragedy and begin the process of healing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, please reach out. You are not alone, and help is available.
Let us honor my brother’s memory by approaching one another with greater understanding, kindness, and care.
Thank you.
Elise Ravenscroft
One year before his breakout role, he portrayed a waiter in Whoopi Goldberg’s hit movie Sister Act.
Katt starred alongside Jack Black in School of Rock and performed in the Woody Allen play A Second Hand Memory.
He’s also made dozens of guest appearances in television shows such as Friends, King of the Hill, Monk and Law & Order.
The actor truly made his mark on television as the teacher Harry Senate in the show Boston Public which ran from 2000-2004 on Fox.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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