Actor Tom Noonan, known for his uniquely unsettling performances – including his portrayal of the “Tooth Fairy” in Michael Mann’s Red Dragon – has passed away at 74.
Karen Sillas, Tom Noonan’s co-star, announced his passing on Instagram. She shared that he died peacefully on Valentine’s Day in 2026 and also posted a personal message remembering him.
Performing in his off-Broadway play, ‘What Happened Was…,’ at the Paradise Factory Theatre in the early 1990s was a pivotal moment for me, and it continues to influence my work as an actor today. When we filmed it a year later, we unknowingly created one of the most memorable independent films of the decade. It was a true honor and a lot of fun to work with him, and I’ll always cherish our friendship. I hope his work continues to inspire others.
The actor was known for a variety of roles in horror and action films. He famously played Frankenstein’s Monster in the 1980s comedy The Monster Squad and Mr. Ulman in The House of the Devil. Other notable genre appearances included the villain Cain in RoboCop 2, as well as roles in Wolfen, Eight Legged Freaks, Late Phases, and The Alphabet Killer. He also appeared in the TV series 12 Monkeys. Beyond horror, he had memorable parts in films like Heat, Last Action Hero, The Astronaut’s Wife, and F/X.
Noonan first became well-known for his role in the 1986 thriller Manhunter, which was the first movie based on Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lecter stories. He played Francis Dollarhyde, nicknamed the “Tooth Fairy,” and delivered a truly unsettling performance, even though the film wasn’t considered as good as the book. Acting alongside William Petersen and Brian Cox, Noonan didn’t portray Dollarhyde as simply a monster; instead, he showed a vulnerable and deeply troubled character, making for a complex and layered villain.
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Throughout his career, Noonan appeared in over 80 acting roles and directed six films. In recent years, he made guest appearances on shows like The Blacklist and Animals, with his final role in 2018. He also had significant roles in series such as Hell on Wheels and Damages.
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2026-02-18 17:47