Tom Noonan, the American actor and director known for playing memorable villains, has died at the age of 74. His co-star Karen Sillas confirmed that he passed away peacefully on Valentine's Day, 14 February 2026.
Noonan was best known for his portrayal of Cain, the drug cartel leader transformed into the cyborg RoboCain in the 1990 sequel RoboCop 2. He also gained critical acclaim for his role as the serial killer Francis Dollarhyde in the 1986 thriller Manhunter, which marked his breakthrough.
His other film credits included The Monster Squad, in which he played Frankenstein's Monster, as well as Last Action Hero, Heat and The House of the Devil. On television, he appeared in series such as The X-Files and CSI.
Karen Sillas, who worked alongside Noonan in the film What Happened Was..., paid tribute on Instagram. She wrote that working with him in his original off-Broadway play in the early 1990s was a turning point for her career, and that creating the film version was a privilege and 'crazy fun'. She described him as a dear friend and co-star, adding: 'May his legacy continue to shine on.'
Fans also shared their condolences on social media, with many highlighting his ability to elevate any project. One wrote that he was a 'secret weapon' actor, while another recalled being 'horrified' by his performance as The Ripper in Last Action Hero as a child.
