Over the weekend we learned the sad news that veteran actor Mitchell Ryan has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind a 50+ year career in stage, film and television.
To horror fans, Mitchell Ryan is remembered as Dr. Terence Wynn in Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers, the secondary antagonist of the franchise. A key figure in the infamous “Thorn Cult” storyline from Halloween 4-6, Dr. Wynn is revealed to be the man responsible for Michael’s evil, with Mitchell Ryan playing the character for his appearance in Halloween 6.
On the small screen, Mitchell Ryan memorably played Burke Devlin in 107 episodes of the classic horror series “Dark Shadows,” one of the earliest roles in his decades-spanning career.
Mitchell Ryan is also known outside the horror genre for his roles in Lethal Weapon and “Dharma & Greg,” as well as High Plains Drifter, Of Mice and Men (1981), “Santa Barbara,” Hot Shots! Part Deux, Judge Dredd, The Devil’s Own, Liar Liar, and Grosse Pointe Blank.
SAG-AFTRA national executive director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland said in statement over the weekend (via Deadline), “We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to Mitch, who was an active and proud member of Screen Actors Guild for decades. He inspired many to union service and loved the craft of acting, helping to create many of the performer programs at the then-Screen Actors Guild Foundation. We are grateful and better as a union for his dedication.”