Mike Schank, a musician finest identified for his look within the cult favourite documentary movie American Film, has died. He was 53.
In line with The Hollywood Reporter, Schank handed away on Thursday, October 13. His shut good friend, Jackie Bogenberger, revealed that Schank had been battling most cancers in current months. A celebration of life is ready to be held on November 12 on the Milwaukee Alano Membership, the place Schank volunteered for twenty years.
Schank was shut buddies with impartial filmmaker Mark Borchardt and helped Borchardt make the 1997 brief horror movie Coven. He later appeared within the 1999 documentary movie in regards to the making of Coven, which confirmed him appearing in and aiding with the manufacturing, in addition to offering music for the film.
The documentary was a essential success, successful the Sundance Movie Pageant’s Grand Jury Prize for Documentary in 1999. Schank, specifically, obtained a lot reward for his half within the function. The Boston Globe‘s Betsy Sherman referred to as him “the film’s inadvertent scene-stealer” and Drake Bentley and Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote that Schank’s “deadpan humor and quiet sweetness in [American] Film made him a beloved, unforgettable determine.”
Following the documentary’s success, Schank obtained plenty of alternatives, together with a task within the 2001 movie Storytelling and a voice cameo as himself on Household Man. He additionally appeared as himself on the Fox puppet-based sitcom Greg the Bunny in 2006.
“RIP Mike Schank, the candy humorous soul on the coronary heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Film’,” tweeted Shaun of the Useless director Edgar Wright. “Me, Simon [Pegg] & Nick [Frost] have been obsessive about it and since they included Mike’s house quantity on the DVD extras, we referred to as him from London one evening. In case you’ve by no means seen it, please do instantly.”
RIP Mike Schank, the candy humorous soul on the coronary heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Film’. Me, Simon & Nick have been obsessive about it and since they included Mike’s house quantity on the DVD extras, we referred to as him from London one evening. In case you’ve by no means seen it, please do instantly. pic.twitter.com/RCWm3uBAZz
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 13, 2022
Our Flag Means Loss of life star and director Taika Waititi shared comparable sentiments, writing, “RIP Mike Schank. I didn’t know this man however man was he a cool good friend. Let’s all watch #AmericanMovie this weekend – one of many all time nice docs and tremendous inspiring in the event you love film-making and film-makers.”
RIP Mike Schank. I didn’t know this man however man was he a cool good friend. Let’s all watch #AmericanMovie this weekend – one of many all time nice docs and tremendous inspiring in the event you love film-making and film-makers. 🎸🎬 pic.twitter.com/bAlU2LPCfM
— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) October 14, 2022
Try extra tributes under.
RIP Mike Schank. Watch him in AMERICAN MOVIE and learn to be a very good good friend. pic.twitter.com/6AIgStzOBz
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) October 13, 2022
Past American Film Mike Schank devoted his life to these scuffling with habit and helped a plethora of individuals with their restoration, just lately celebrating his twenty seventh yr sober, Mike was way more than only a character. Relaxation in peace#MikeSchank #RIPMikeSchank pic.twitter.com/xVfB2ZYPOn
— Loss of life By DVD (@Deathbydvd) October 13, 2022
Very unhappy to listen to Mike Schank handed away. American Film is one in every of my favourite movies. I really feel the necessity to categorical what a loveable man he appeared to be. Additionally he’s been 27 years clear and sober which is inspiring that you possibly can at all times transfer on out of your previous. He’ll be missed.
— Cinemassacre (@cinemassacre) October 14, 2022
So singular. RIP Mike Schank. #AmericanMovie https://t.co/DVtNCJTDko
— Carrie Coon (@carriecoon) October 14, 2022
RIP Mike Schankhttps://t.co/mrnllVNcTp
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 13, 2022
Mike Schank, you’ll be missed. A lot greater than only a character in a documentary. You have been a sort soul and I used to be very glad we acquired to spend a while collectively. pic.twitter.com/usWBAhYr77
— Jake Fogelnest (@jakefogelnest) October 13, 2022