C.W. Morgan, Who Played Hank Loomis in "Scream," Dead at 72

C.W. Morgan, the actor best known for playing Hank Loomis in the 1996 horror classic“Scream,”has died at 72. His daughter Renata Macfie confirmed the news in an Aug. 31 Facebook post, writing that losing him“has left the biggest hole in my heart”and remembering“your poorly timed jokes that I inherited from you.”Los Angeles Medical Examiner records indicate Morgan died Aug. 30 in LA County. His cause of death is unclear, though an LAPD spokesperson told TMZ it appears to have been from natural causes.

For“Scream”fans, Hank Loomis is more than a background character. His affair is the secret that fractures the Loomis family and fuels Billy’s rage, making him a key piece of the original film’s central mystery. Morgan returned to the role for a flashback scene in 2000’s“Scream 3,”cementing his place in the franchise’s lore.

Morgan, born Curtis Wade Morgan, leaves behind a legacy tied to one of horror’s most enduring films. As fans revisit the original this spooky season, his quietly important role will be hard to miss. What’s your favorite underrated performance from the“Scream”franchise?