Actor Nicky Katt, recognized for his performances in “Dazed and Confused” and the Fox series “Boston Public,” passed away at his residence in Burbank, California, on April 8, 2025, at age 54 from suicide.
The death was confirmed by Katt’s attorney, John Sloss, to the media on Sunday, April 13. Initially, no further details were provided. However, on Monday, Katt’s family disclosed that his death was a result of suicide after a prolonged battle with depression.
Elise Ravenscroft, his sister, told Deadline that Katt had faced depression “bravely but quietly” throughout his life. “This is a pain no family should endure, yet far too many do,” she stated. “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.”
Reports indicated that Katt’s body was discovered in his apartment by his landlord, who had come earlier in the week for overdue rent and returned five days later. The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office confirmed the cause of death as suicide, and Katt had been deceased for at least a day before being found.
Katt, originally from South Dakota, started his acting career as a child in 1980, appearing in “Fantasy Island.” He later had roles in “Herbie, the Love Bug” and voiced Leland Lizard in “The Get Along Gang.”
As an adult, Katt became known for portraying complex characters with darker nuances. He played high school bully Clint Bruno in Richard Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused” (1993) and a white supremacist in the 1996 film “A Time to Kill.” His career spanned nearly 40 years, with 75 credited roles between 1980 and 2018.
On television, Katt spent three seasons on David E. Kelley’s drama “Boston Public” portraying Harry Senate, a rebellious geology teacher. Sources noted that Kelley planned for Katt’s character to exit the show so he could focus on his growing film career.
Throughout his career, Katt worked with various renowned directors. Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, who collaborated with Katt on several projects such as “Planet Terror,” praised him as “an absolute joy on and off the camera” and “a true artist.”
In addition to his notable roles, Katt appeared in numerous television shows and films including “Love & War,” “Friends,” “Batman & Robin,” “School of Rock,” “Boiler Room,” “King of the Hill,” “Monk,” “Law & Order,” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof.” His filmography also featured Steven Soderbergh’s “Full Frontal” and “Solaris,” as well as Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City.”
His last screen appearance was a guest role on the Hulu comedy series “Casual” in 2018.
In a 2002 interview, Katt discussed his attraction to complex characters, despite sometimes considering more mainstream roles. He reflected, “Sometimes I think if I did more sit-ups and went to the tanning salon, I could have a lot more power than I do now. At the end of the day, you do what your gut tells you to do.”
In another interview, Katt spoke about the pressures of being an actor in Los Angeles, mentioning the “desperation in the air” and “low-level malevolence” he encountered in the industry.
Katt was previously married to Annie Morse, but the couple divorced in 2001 after a brief marriage in the late 1990s. He is survived by his sister, Elise Ravenscroft.
In her statement, Ravenscroft stressed the importance of addressing mental health issues openly. She urged those experiencing depression to seek help and requested privacy as the family mourns.
Katt’s passing has sparked discussions about mental health awareness and support within the entertainment industry, highlighting the unique pressures faced by those in the field.
