MILWAUKEE (AP) 鈥� Musician Mike Schank, best known for his good guy role in the award-winning documentary film 鈥淎merican Movie," has died, according to a close friend. He was 53.
Jackie Bogenberger said Schank had been battling cancer in recent months and died Thursday.
鈥淎merican Movie鈥� won best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival and became a cult favorite over the years. The 1999 film chronicled the making of the horror short 鈥淐oven" by independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt, with Schank 鈥� Borchardt's best friend 鈥� shown in the film supporting Borchardt's filmmaking dream through various challenges.
Schank鈥檚 deadpan humor and quiet sweetness in 鈥淢ovie鈥� 鈥� including his honesty about his struggles with alcoholism and gambling addiction 鈥� made him a beloved, unforgettable figure. He hilariously provided a bloodcurdling scream for 鈥淐oven鈥� and also composed its music. The 1999's documentary's success led to several opportunities, including a role in the 2001 film 鈥淪torytelling鈥� and a voice cameo as himself on the animated sitcom 鈥淔amily Guy.鈥�
Bogenberger said that throughout his battles with addiction and cancer, Schank remained 鈥渙ne of the most kind and selfless human beings this earth was ever blessed with.鈥�
Family, friends and others paid tribute on Twitter.
鈥淟ord of the Rings鈥� star Elijah Wood called Schank a 鈥渓egend,鈥� adding 鈥淢ike Schank forever.鈥� Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted a simple 鈥淩IP.鈥� Actor Rainn Wilson tweeted, 鈥淭his is sad. LOVED this wonderful human.鈥�
Schank鈥檚 best friend, Borchardt, simply tweeted: 鈥淪tay strong forever, Mike...鈥�.
In August, Schank announced on Twitter that he was 27 years sober.
Roughly three months before Schank鈥檚 announcement, he began to tell friends and family that he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, according to Bogenberger.
Bogenberger said a celebration of life will be held Nov. 12 at the Milwaukee Alano Club, where Schank volunteered for two decades.
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This story was updated to correct that Schank was 53 years old, not 56, when he died and that he died on Thursday, not Wednesday.
The Associated Press
