Andy Hallett
Encyclopedia
Andrew Alcott "Andy" Hallett (August 4, 1975 – March 29, 2009) was an American
singer and actor best known for playing the part of Lorne (The Host) in the television series Angel
. He used his singing talents often on the show, and performed two songs on the series' 2005 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never
.
village of Osterville, Massachusetts
, which is part of the town of Barnstable
. He was a 1993 graduate from Barnstable High School
and he went onto Assumption College
in Worcester
after graduation.
He did not begin singing publicly until he was invited onstage at a concert, and discovered the thrill of performing. The Boston Globe
quoted an earlier interview with Hallett in his obituary: "The first time I sang out loud in front of other people was in Boston at Harborlights when Patti Labelle
was there," he told the Globe in 2000. LaBelle coaxed a group of guys onto the stage. "I'm this little white boy. I started singing, and we blew the house down. I sang a line and she said, 'This is a white boy with soul.'"
Hallett worked as a runner for an agency and then as a property manager. He eventually became a personal assistant to Kai Cole, wife of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon
. When the couple and their friends saw Hallett singing at the "B.B. Kings" lounge at Universal CityWalk
, Whedon conceived a new character for his new show Angel: Lorne, an anagogic
demon who reads the hearts and futures of his guests as they sing in his karaoke
bar. Hallett was invited to try out for the part, and won it after three auditions. Angel was his first real job as an actor, though he did play an extra role in a 1999 episode of Buffy; he acquired agent Pat Brady only after she spotted him singing and acting in "Judgment," the premiere episode of Angels second season.
The character of Lorne was featured as a recurring character
in 45 episodes before Hallett was added to the title sequence as a series regular for the last nine episodes of the fourth season, and all of the fifth; in total he appeared as Lorne in 76 of the show's 110 episodes. The character's demonic visage involved extensive prosthetic makeup
and detailed coloring of his face, neck and hands, leading to early calls for two to four hours of makeup before Hallett's filming day could begin.
During the run of Angel, Hallett appeared in two other small productions: The Enforcers (2001), a TV miniseries directed by Angel writer Mere Smith
, and Chance
(2002), a film directed by Buffy actress Amber Benson
.
, for which he spent five days in the hospital. Although he recovered, his heart muscle and valves were weakened and he found himself easily fatigued afterward. He did not return to acting (except for a voice part in the animated film Geppetto's Secret), but pursued his music career and frequently appeared at media conventions for Buffy and Angel and for science fiction and fantasy in general.
Five years after first experiencing heart problems, and after at least three additional hospitalizations, Hallett died from congestive heart failure
on March 29, 2009 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles with his father by his bedside. He was 33 years old.
, and a 48-page book about the character was written by John Byrne. Chris Ryall of IDW Publishing
said, "the issue serves as a tribute to Andy as well as a final send-off for Lorne, too."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and actor best known for playing the part of Lorne (The Host) in the television series Angel
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
. He used his singing talents often on the show, and performed two songs on the series' 2005 soundtrack album, Angel: Live Fast, Die Never
Angel: Live Fast, Die Never
Angel: Live Fast, Die Never is an Angel soundtrack album.The album primarily features scores composed by Robert J. Kral. In addition it also contains an extended version of the opening credits by Darling Violetta, performances from actors Andy Hallett, and Christian Kane, as well as Kim Richey's "A...
.
Early life
Andrew Alcott Hallett was an only child. He was 6 foot 2 inches tall and hailed from the Cape CodCape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
village of Osterville, Massachusetts
Osterville, Massachusetts
Osterville is one of the seven villages within the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. The village of Osterville is located on the south side of Barnstable on Nantucket Sound...
, which is part of the town of Barnstable
Barnstable, Massachusetts
Barnstable is a city, referred to as the Town of Barnstable, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the county seat of Barnstable County. Barnstable is the largest community, both in land area and population, on Cape Cod. The town contains seven villages within its boundaries...
. He was a 1993 graduate from Barnstable High School
Barnstable High School
Barnstable High School is a public high school in the village of Hyannis, Massachusetts, USA, Town of Barnstable. It is the largest high school in Barnstable County on Cape Cod. It is divided into 5 "houses", described as "schools within a school". In the 2010–2011 school year, it had...
and he went onto Assumption College
Assumption College
Assumption College is a private, Roman Catholic, liberal arts college located on 185 acres in Worcester, Massachusetts. Assumption has an enrollment of about 2,117 undergraduates...
in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
after graduation.
He did not begin singing publicly until he was invited onstage at a concert, and discovered the thrill of performing. The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe
The Boston Globe is an American daily newspaper based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe has been owned by The New York Times Company since 1993...
quoted an earlier interview with Hallett in his obituary: "The first time I sang out loud in front of other people was in Boston at Harborlights when Patti Labelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
was there," he told the Globe in 2000. LaBelle coaxed a group of guys onto the stage. "I'm this little white boy. I started singing, and we blew the house down. I sang a line and she said, 'This is a white boy with soul.'"
Career
After moving to Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
Hallett worked as a runner for an agency and then as a property manager. He eventually became a personal assistant to Kai Cole, wife of Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon
Joseph Hill "Joss" Whedon is an American screenwriter, executive producer, director, comic book writer, occasional composer and actor, founder of Mutant Enemy Productions and co-creator of Bellwether Pictures...
. When the couple and their friends saw Hallett singing at the "B.B. Kings" lounge at Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk
Universal CityWalk is the name given to the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Parks & Resorts. Originating as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, CityWalk serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the...
, Whedon conceived a new character for his new show Angel: Lorne, an anagogic
Anagoge
Anagoge is a Greek word suggesting a "climb" or "ascent" upwards. The anagogical is a method of spiritual interpretation of literal statements or events, especially the Scriptures....
demon who reads the hearts and futures of his guests as they sing in his karaoke
Karaoke
is a form of interactive entertainment or video game in which amateur singers sing along with recorded music using a microphone and public address system. The music is typically a well-known pop song minus the lead vocal. Lyrics are usually displayed on a video screen, along with a moving symbol,...
bar. Hallett was invited to try out for the part, and won it after three auditions. Angel was his first real job as an actor, though he did play an extra role in a 1999 episode of Buffy; he acquired agent Pat Brady only after she spotted him singing and acting in "Judgment," the premiere episode of Angels second season.
The character of Lorne was featured as a recurring character
Recurring character
A recurring character is a fictional character, usually in a prime time TV series, who appears from time to time during the series' run. Recurring characters often play major roles in an episode, sometimes being the main focus...
in 45 episodes before Hallett was added to the title sequence as a series regular for the last nine episodes of the fourth season, and all of the fifth; in total he appeared as Lorne in 76 of the show's 110 episodes. The character's demonic visage involved extensive prosthetic makeup
Prosthetic makeup
Prosthetic makeup is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects...
and detailed coloring of his face, neck and hands, leading to early calls for two to four hours of makeup before Hallett's filming day could begin.
During the run of Angel, Hallett appeared in two other small productions: The Enforcers (2001), a TV miniseries directed by Angel writer Mere Smith
Mere Smith
Mere Smith is a American television script-writer who wrote a number of episodes of the series Angel. She was also the executive story editor and script coordinator for 66 episodes from 1999 to 2003....
, and Chance
Chance (film)
Chance is a 2002 film, the directing debut of actress Amber Benson . Benson directed, wrote, produced and starred in this film. Featuring many of Benson's co-stars from Buffy, including co-star James Marsters , appeared in the film...
(2002), a film directed by Buffy actress Amber Benson
Amber Benson
Amber Nicole Benson is an American actress, writer, film director, and film producer. She is best known for her role as Tara Maclay on the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but has also directed, produced and starred in her own films Chance and Lovers, Liars & Lunatics...
.
Health complications and death
According to a 2005 interview, about a month after filming the last episode of Angel, Hallett suffered a dental infection which spread through the bloodstream to his heart, leading to a case of cardiomyopathyCardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy, which literally means "heart muscle disease," is the deterioration of the function of the myocardium for any reason. People with cardiomyopathy are often at risk of arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death or both. Cardiomyopathy can often go undetected, making it especially dangerous to...
, for which he spent five days in the hospital. Although he recovered, his heart muscle and valves were weakened and he found himself easily fatigued afterward. He did not return to acting (except for a voice part in the animated film Geppetto's Secret), but pursued his music career and frequently appeared at media conventions for Buffy and Angel and for science fiction and fantasy in general.
Five years after first experiencing heart problems, and after at least three additional hospitalizations, Hallett died from congestive heart failure
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure often called congestive heart failure is generally defined as the inability of the heart to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heart failure can cause a number of symptoms including shortness of breath, leg swelling, and exercise intolerance. The condition...
on March 29, 2009 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles with his father by his bedside. He was 33 years old.
Legacy
The character of Lorne continued on in the comic book series Angel: After the FallAngel: After the Fall
Angel: After the Fall is a comic book published by IDW Publishing. Written by Brian Lynch and plotted with Joss Whedon, the series is a canonical continuation of the Angel television series, and follows the events of that show's final televised season...
, and a 48-page book about the character was written by John Byrne. Chris Ryall of IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
said, "the issue serves as a tribute to Andy as well as a final send-off for Lorne, too."
External links
- Interview with Andy Hallett at The Friends of Science Fiction Fan Club convention in Australia in 2002