This Is Spinal Tap star Tony Hendra has died, his wife Carla has confirmed.
The actor was 79-years-old when he passed away after a year long battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In 2019 Tony was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Despite a long career, Hendra was best know for playing the role of the inept manager in 1984 hit This Is Spinal Tap.
Paying tribute to the late star, American director Rob Reiner posted online: “Tony Hendra who played Spinal Tap’s manager, Ian, has sadly passed away.
“A brilliant satirist who when learning that the band’s Boston gig had been cancelled, told them not to worry that Boston wasn’t a big college town. R.I.P.”
Tony Hendra has died aged 79, (Image: FilmMagic)
Hendra began his career while writing and performing while he was a student at Cambridge University.
The decision meant he was working in the same circles John Cleese and Graham Chapman – we went on to become stars of cult classic Monty Python.
In 1964 Hendra and his acting partner Nick Ullett took the plunge and moved to America to try and force acting careers.
Tony found fame in This Is Spinal Tap (Image: Getty Images)
He focused on stand up comedy, writing and publishing.
Just over half a decade later he became the managing editor of National Lampoon magazine – helping him to boost his position in the world of American satire.
He co-wrote National Lampoon’s Lemming which went on to become a stage hit and included a cast of stars such as John Belushi, Christopher Guest and Chevy Chase.
Tony Hendra, seen here in 2019, was 79 when he passed away (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
After news of his death was confirmed to The New York Times, his co-star Michael McKean, who played David St. Hubbins in the fictional band, took to social media to pay tribute.
He simply wrote: “RIP Tony Hendra.”
Meanwhile, American stand up comic Bob Saget added: “Before I did ‘Full House’ I did a show on CBS- ‘The Morning Program.’
“My only writer was Tony Hendra. We had such a good time trying to get funny subversive stuff on the air. I got fired 5 months later- but it was so fun.
Rest In Peace Tony, my friend.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
