Tom Noonan, a distinguished actor and director renowned for his imposing screen presence and unforgettable portrayals of villains, passed away on February 14 at the age of 74. His death was announced by actress Karen Sillas, a longtime friend and collaborator, and Fred Dekker, who directed Noonan in “The Monster Squad.” The specific cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Noonan commenced his career in the late 1970s and early 1980s, taking on smaller roles in both film and theater, including an appearance in “Heaven’s Gate.” His significant breakthrough arrived with his role in “Manhunter,” after which he quickly became a highly sought-after character actor in Hollywood.

Frequently described by both fans and filmmakers as the “perfect bad guy,” Noonan meticulously crafted a singular career playing diverse characters such as outsiders, monstrous figures, and deeply unsettling antagonists. He achieved widespread recognition for his chilling depiction of the serial killer Francis Dollarhyde in director Michael Mann’s “Manhunter,” an acclaimed adaptation of Thomas Harris’s novel “Red Dragon.”

Noonan further solidified his cult status as Cain, the drug-fueled cult leader who evolves into the mechanized villain RoboCain in “RoboCop 2.” His extensive contributions to genre cinema included fan favorites such as “The Monster Squad,” where he memorably brought Frankenstein’s Monster to life, and “Last Action Hero,” in which his performance as the slasher villain The Ripper left a lasting impression on younger audiences.

His impressive filmography also featured roles in other notable productions like “Heat,” “The House of the Devil,” and “12 Monkeys.” Additionally, Noonan made significant television appearances on popular series such as “The X-Files” and “CSI.”

Beyond his prolific acting career, Tom Noonan was also a highly respected playwright and director. He notably wrote and directed “What Happened Was…,” a critically acclaimed work first staged off-Broadway in the early 1990s before being adapted into an independent film. Karen Sillas, who starred in both the stage and film versions, highlighted the project as a pivotal moment in her career, writing in a social media tribute, “Working with him was a turning point in my life as an actor. What a privilege — and crazy fun — it was to call him my friend to the end.”