Tony Slattery, the British comedian and actor who starred in the improv show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” has died. He was 65.
Slattery passed away on Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack two days earlier, his family confirmed to the BBC.
His partner, Mark Michael Hutchinson, said in a statement, “It is with great sadness we must announce actor and comedian Tony Slattery, aged 65, has passed away today, Tuesday morning, following a heart attack on Sunday evening.”
The Post has reached out to Slattery’s rep.
Slattery was honored on social media by other comedians, some of whom appeared on “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?”
Stephen Fry wrote on Instagram, “So very sad to have lost the wonderful Tony Slattery, just about the gentlest, sweetest soul I ever knew. Not to mention a screamingly funny and deeply talented wit and clown.”
“A cruel irony that fate should snatch him from us just as he had really begun to emerge from his lifelong battle with so many dark demons,” Fry, 67, continued. “He had started live ‘evenings with’ and his own podcast series. Lovely, at least, this past year for him to have found to his joyous surprise that he was still remembered and held in great affection. Love and condolences to Mark, his staunch, devoted life partner of almost 40 years.”
Fry and Slattery’s co-star Josie Lawrence wrote on X, “Memories of just laughing a lot. Being silly and laughing. He was talented kind funny and beautiful. Sending love and condolences to wonderful Mark. Rest in peace now Tony.”
Helen Lederer similarly remembered Slattery on Instagram, writing, “My best friend in laughter, wit, love, absurdity, being my best man (twice), we adored you – what will we do now. Tony Slattery 1959-2025.”
Al Murray said on X, “Really sad news about Tony Slattery. Such a dazzling talent.”
Slattery was born in Middlesex, England, and attended the University of Cambridge, where he joined the school’s sketch comedy troupe alongside Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Sandi Toksvig.
He first broke into television on the late-night comedy show “Saturday Stayback” in 1983.
In 1988, Slattery became a regular on “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” The improv show aired on Channel 4 with host Clive Anderson. Slattery left the show after Season 7; it ended three seasons later.
As an actor, Slattery notably appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s 1992 comedy film “Peter’s Friends” with his former peers Fry, Laurie and Thompson.
Slattery’s resume also includes the films “The Crying Game,” “Ahead of the Class,” “To Die For” and “The Wedding Tackle,” and the shows “Behind the Bike Sheds,” “That’s Love,” “Coronation Street” and “Kingdom.”
He did theater at London’s West End, as well, and received an Olivier Award nomination for Tim Firth’s “Neville’s Island.”
In 2019, Slattery told The Guardian that he suffered a mental breakdown in 1996 when he was 36. He previously dealt with mental health struggles and drug and alcohol addiction.
“I had a very happy time until I went slightly barmy,” he said in the interview.
He also spoke about being bipolar, saying, “The manic part of me was not because of the drugs and alcohol. I think it was there already. But the drugs and alcohol certainly ignited it.”
Slattery is survived by Hutchinson, his partner of more than 30 years. They met while performing in “Me and My Girl” in the ’80s.
