Actor Matt DeCaro, who played prison officer Roy Geary in the hit crime show Prison Break and also appeared in shows such as House and Chicago PD during his TV career
Actor Matt DeCaro, best known for his role as prison officer Roy Geary in the hit show Prison Break, has sadly died at the age of 70.
The US star passed “unexpectedly” at the weekend, before he was scheduled to perform in a matinee performance of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He had last appeared in the play on Friday night (April 24) and was a veteran of the Chicago theatre scene.
Announcing his death on Saturday (April 25), the theatre wrote: “We are devastated by the sudden loss of our dear friend… thousands of Chicagoans experienced Matt’s prolific stage work over four decades, including 10 more productions at The Goodman.”
The theatre cancelled its Saturday matinee show. However, the cast decided to go ahead with the evening performance in DeCaro’s honour.
Tributes have been pouring in online, with Matt’s agency Stewart Talent Chicago writing: “We at Stewart Talent mourn the passing of our client and dear friend, Matt DeCaro, who unexpectedly passed this morning.
“A legend in theatrical circles, Matt’s career spanned decades working across all of the nation’s most revered theatres, including the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Asolo Repertory, Lincoln Center, the Guthrie, and countless others.
“More than anything, Matt will be remembered for his winning & sarcastic sense of humour, a constant mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his deep care and love for other artists and the art form that he gave so much to. We will miss you, Matt.”
Rose Abdoo, an actress who knew DeCaro for decades, said he was “versatile, so talented, so funny, so kind, so wise”. In a Facebook post, she wrote: “I’m heartbroken & yet so grateful to have had him as a brother since 1994.”
One fan said on Reddit: “RIP, great character.”
“He was my godmother’s husband. He was a very smart and funny person. We used to eat brunch at his house every Christmas Eve. We never knew ahead of time what shows he was on, but it was always a pleasant surprise to see him,” somebody else echoed.
Another fan wrote: “He was great as Geary, really made you dislike him at points and like him at others. So sorry to his family. I hope that him entertaining us comes as a bit of joy in celebrating his life.”
Matt played prison officer Roy Geary in Prison Break, as well as appearing in shows such as Chicago PD and House. He also starred in The Office, NCIS, Curb Your Enthusiasm and 24. His wife Sheila O’Callaghan said his cause of death was heart failure, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
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