Michael Villella, ‘The Slumber Party Massacre’ Star, Dies at 84

As a devoted fan of horror films, I find myself saddened by the news of Michael Villella‘s passing. The man who brought Russ Thorn, the chilling drill-wielding killer from “The Slumber Party Massacre,” to life will be deeply missed by many in the cult following this classic film has garnered over the years.


84-year-old Michael Villella, famed for portraying the notorious Russ Thorn in the cult movie “The Slumber Party Massacre,” passed away.

It was shared on Michael Pasquale Villella’s Facebook page on Saturday that he has passed away. “May he find eternal peace,” the post read. “May God receive him warmly and guide him to heaven.

As I share my thoughts on this recent passing, I can’t help but reflect on the life and work of the dearly departed. Notably, his daughter, Chloe Villella, has taken to social media to confirm the sad news, yet the cause of his demise remains undisclosed at this time. The void left behind by this loss is profound, and I find myself deeply moved by the impact he had on cinema.

In 1982, Villella first appeared on screen as the menacing drill-using murderer in “The Slumber Party Massacre,” alongside Michelle Michaels and Robin Stille. This film was initially intended to be a humorous take on slasher films but eventually transformed into a full-fledged horror production, under the direction of Amy Holden Jones and with a script penned by Rita Mae Brown.

Despite receiving mixed opinions from critics, the original “The Slumber Party Massacre” movie from 1982 gained a devoted fanbase, leading to two sequels released in 1987 and 1990. A reboot film came out in 2021. This horror classic also spawned two separate series of spinoff films – the “Sorority House Massacre” trilogy and the “Cheerleader Massacre” movies. Notably, Villella played a role in the 1990 sequel, “Sorority House Massacre II,” and he appeared in the 2010 documentary, “Sleepless Nights: Revisiting the Slumber Party Massacres.

Apart from “The Slumber Party Massacre,” Villella’s filmography also encompasses titles like “Love Letters” (1983), “Gotham” (1988), “Wild Orchid” (1989) and “Wild Orchid II: Two Shades of Blue” (1991). On the small screen, he graced various shows, appearing as a guest star on “Amazing Stories” and “Getting Away With Murder.

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2024-11-25 02:46