Nicky Katt’s cause of death has been revealed.
According to TMZ, the actor died of suicide by hanging in his Los Angeles, California, apartment. He didn’t leave a note and his body was found by his landlord on April 8.
On Monday, Katt’s sister Elise Ravenscroft told Deadline, “Today, with the heaviest of hearts, I share the devastating news of my brother’s passing. He died by suicide after battling with depression—one that he fought bravely but quietly.”
She added, “This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do. “Mental illness is real, it is powerful, and it is often invisible. We hope that by sharing this, we can help break the silence and stigma that so often surrounds mental health struggles.”
Actor Nicky Katt at the premiere of “Solaris” at the Arclight Cinerama Dome on Nov. 18, 2002, in Hollywood, California. Getty ImagesKatt, who was born on May 11, 1970, in South Dakota, was married to Annie Morse from 1999 to 2001. He was best known for his roles in “Dazed and Confused” and “Boston Public.”
He also starred in Steven Soderbergh’s 2002 film “Full Frontal” alongside Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt.
Katt (right) and Matthew McConaughey in “Dazed and Confused.” Universal Pictures
Lake Bell and Katt during the “Full Frontal” premiere in Beverly Hills, California, in 2002. WireImageDuring an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2002, the director said that Katt was “absolutely fearless” as an actor.
Katt told the outlet that the role gave him an opportunity to channel the frustrations he had experienced as an actor.
“There’s so much desperation in the air, in Los Angeles especially. You don’t notice it in New York as much,” he said.
Katt added: “Everybody plays it a little cooler there, and people have a lot more interaction with each other. I think Stanley Kubrick called the vibe in LA a ‘low-level malevolence.’ It eats away at you at some point.”
In Richard Linklater’s 1993 movie “Dazed and Confused,” Katt was part of the ensemble cast alongside Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, Matthew McConaughey, Adam Goldberg, Jason London and Joey Lauren Adams.
He played a high school bully, Clint Bruno, who picks a fight with Goldberg’s character, Mike Newhouse.
Katt (from left), Annette O’Toole and Michael McKean pose backstage during the Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards on March 7, 2013, in Austin, Texas. FilmMagic
Katt (left) and Chi McBride in “Boston Public.” ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection
Katt in “Dazed and Confused.” Universal PicturesHe was also in a slew of acclaimed movies such as “School of Rock,” “Sin City” and “Boiler Room.”
On TV, Katt was in episodes of “Monk” and “Law & Order.” He played geology teacher Harry Senate in the Fox drama series “Boston Public” for its first three seasons.
In 1996, he also appeared in an episode of “Friends.”
His final role was in 2018, in an episode of the Hulu series “Casual.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
