Glenn Shadix
Shadix in 2004
Born	William Glenn Shadix (1952-04-15)April 15, 1952 Bessemer, Alabama, U.S.
Died	September 7, 2010(2010-09-07) (aged 58) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Occupations	Actor comedian
Years active	1979–2010
Spouse	Jon Jung[1]

William Glenn Shadix-Scott (April 15, 1952 – September 7, 2010) was an American actor and comedian. He was best known for his roles as Otho Fenlock inTim Burton'sBeetlejuice and the Mayor of Halloween Town inThe Nightmare Before Christmas.^[2]

Shadix was born on April 15, 1952, inBessemer, Alabama, the eldest child in the family. His surname was legally changed to "Scott" when his mother, Annie Ruth (née Livingston), remarried a few years after his birth,^[3] although he would use his original surname when working as an actor. He attendedBirmingham–Southern College for two years, studying withabsurdist playwright-director Arnold Powell.^[4]

He lived inManhattan, New York, prior to moving to Hollywood in 1977. He got his breakthrough film role inBeetlejuice as interior decorator Otho Fenlock, while appearing inThe Groundlings comedy troupe and performing in the stage playDoctor Faustus Lights the Lights, portrayingGertrude Stein.^[5]Beetlejuice filmmakerTim Burton went on to cast Shadix in two of his films:The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) andPlanet of the Apes (2001). Throughout the 1990s, Shadix had small roles in television series, includingCheers,Roseanne,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air andSeinfeld.

In 1995, Shadix was cast as Ray Cathode in theSpace Mountain queue advertisements when the ride was sponsored byFedEx.

In 2005, Shadix was cast as the voices of theBrain andMonsieur Mallah in thefifth season of theTeen Titans animated series. His other voice work includes the aforementionedNightmare, and episodes ofJackie Chan Adventures andJustice League Unlimited (where he played Steven Mandragora). He reprised hisNightmare Before Christmas role in the video gameThe Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge andSquare Enix'sKingdom Hearts II.

His television work included theHBO dramaCarnivàle, theNBC television comedySeinfeld, in which he playedJerry Seinfeld's landlord, and playing the roles ofgiant brothers Typhoon andTyphon inHercules: The Legendary Journeys. On stage, Shadix was set to begin rehearsals for a Birmingham production ofAlan Bennett'sHistory Boys.^{[citation needed]}

According to an interview with theTruth Wins Out website, Shadix came out as gay at the age of 17. His parents enrolled him in "ex-gay therapy", which included shock treatments. When this failed to change his orientation, Shadix attempted suicide by overdosing withElavil. His parents rushed him to a hospital, where he survived a three-day coma. After the incident, his parents began to accept his sexuality.^[6][7]

Shadix was known to be a long-time fan ofJoan Baez, dating back to his childhood, when he had to hide her records from his family who disapproved of the folk singer. Shadix travelled cross country to attend one of her concerts and meet her in person.^[8]

In 2007, after spending 30 years in Los Angeles, Shadix retired to his native Bessemer, Alabama, where he purchased aQueen Anne-style,Victorian-era home. The house was completely destroyed in a fire on December 13, 2008. Shadix told firefighters, "I have lost my dream."^[9] Despite this, he would continue to live in Alabama and was living in a condo on Highland Avenue in Birmingham, Alabama at the time of his death in September 2010 at the age of 58.^[10]

Following Shadix’s death, his obituary identified his spouse Jon Jung.^[2]

In 2009, Shadix underwent surgery to provide relief to an ankle which he broke while filming.^[11][12] After recovering, he had mobility problems and used awheelchair.^[13] On September 7, 2010, Shadix was found dead in his home. According to his sister, Susan Gagne, he fell and hit his head in the kitchen at hiscondominium inBirmingham, Alabama, and died ofblunt trauma.^[2][14]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toGlenn Shadix.

• Glenn Shadix atIMDb
• Shadix's Website

• 1952 births
• 2010 deaths
• 20th-century American comedians
• 20th-century American LGBTQ people
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• Accidental deaths from falls in the United States
• Accidental deaths in Alabama
• Actors from Jefferson County, Alabama
• American gay actors
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• American male comedians
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• American male television actors
• American male voice actors
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• Birmingham–Southern College alumni
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