Legendary rocker and actorMeat Loafhas died, PEOPLE confirms. He was 74.
“His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, includingFight club,Focus,Rocky Horror Picture ShowandWayne’s World. ‘Bat Out of Hell’ remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time. We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man. We thank you for understanding of our need for privacy at this time. From his heart to your souls… don’t ever stop rocking!”
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Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1947 as Marvin Lee Aday, Meat Loaf began his career in the arts in school productions.
After moving to Los Angeles in his 20s, the artist joined the original L.A. Roxy cast ofThe Rocky Horror Showin 1973, where he portrayed both Eddie and Dr. Everett Scott. He was later asked to reprise his role as Eddie in the 1975 film adaptation.
Meat Loaf also starred in other film and television series, many films of which were some of the most iconic of the 1990s. Meat Loaf starred in 1992’sWayne’s Worldas Tiny, 1999’sFight Clubas Robert Paulsen and as Dennis in 1997’sSpice World.
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Meat Loaf.Pete Still/Redferns
Meat Loaf won a Grammy in 1993 for best solo rock vocal performance for “I’d Do Anything for Love.”
The musician also had a longtime partnership with Jim Steinman, who wrote all of his big hits, before his death in April 2021. (Steinman even penned “Total Eclipse of the Heart” for Meat Loaf, but the musician’s label wouldn’t let him record the song, so it went to Bonnie Tyler.)
Speaking withRolling Stoneafter Steinman’s death, Meat Loaf said: “We belonged heart and soul to each other. We didn’tknoweach other. Wewereeach other.”
TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images
“R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends,“wroteBoy George. “He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.”
“Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did ‘Dead Ringer’. Am Very Sorry For His Family,Friends,& Fans,“saidCher. “Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day.”
In a statement of his own, British actor Stephen Fry remembered Meat Loaf, who he performed alongside onSaturday Night Liveyearsago. “I hope paradise is as you remember it from the dashboard light, Meat Loaf. Had a fun time performing a sketch with him on Saturday Live way back in the last century,” hetweeted.
AddedFry, 64: “… he had the quality of being simultaneously frightening and cuddly, which is rare and rather wonderful …”
source: people.com
