Mike Schank Dies: Musician and ‘American Movie’ Star Was 53

Mike Schank, a musician best known for his appearance in the cult favorite documentary film American Movie, has died. He was 53.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Schank passed away on Thursday, October 13. His close friend, Jackie Bogenberger, revealed that Schank had been battling cancer in recent months. A celebration of life is set to be held on November 12 at the Milwaukee Alano Club, where Schank volunteered for two decades.

Schank was close friends with independent filmmaker Mark Borchardt and helped Borchardt make the 1997 short horror film Coven. He later appeared in the 1999 documentary film about the making of Coven, which showed him acting in and assisting with the production, as well as providing music for the movie.

The documentary was a critical success, winning the Sundance Film Festival’s Grand Jury Prize for Documentary in 1999. Schank, in particular, received much praise for his part in the feature. The Boston Globe‘s Betsy Sherman called him “the movie’s inadvertent scene-stealer” and Drake Bentley and Piet Levy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote that Schank’s “deadpan humor and quiet sweetness in [American] Movie made him a beloved, unforgettable figure.”

Following the documentary’s success, Schank received a number of opportunities, including a role in the 2001 film Storytelling and a voice cameo as himself on Family Guy. He also appeared as himself on the Fox puppet-based sitcom Greg the Bunny in 2006.

“RIP Mike Schank, the sweet funny soul at the heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Movie’,” tweeted Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright. “Me, Simon [Pegg] & Nick [Frost] were obsessed with it and since they included Mike’s home number on the DVD extras, we called him from London one night. If you’ve never seen it, please do immediately.”

RIP Mike Schank, the sweet funny soul at the heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Movie’. Me, Simon & Nick were obsessed with it and since they included Mike’s home number on the DVD extras, we called him from London one night. If you’ve never seen it, please do immediately. pic.twitter.com/RCWm3uBAZz

— edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 13, 2022

Our Flag Means Death star and director Taika Waititi shared similar sentiments, writing, “RIP Mike Schank. I didn’t know this guy but man was he a cool friend. Let’s all watch #AmericanMovie this weekend – one of the all time great docs and super inspiring if you love film-making and film-makers.”

RIP Mike Schank. I didn’t know this guy but man was he a cool friend. Let’s all watch #AmericanMovie this weekend – one of the all time great docs and super inspiring if you love film-making and film-makers. 🎸🎬 pic.twitter.com/bAlU2LPCfM

— Taika Waititi (@TaikaWaititi) October 14, 2022

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Check out more tributes below.

RIP Mike Schank. Watch him in AMERICAN MOVIE and learn how to be a good friend. pic.twitter.com/6AIgStzOBz

— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) October 13, 2022

Beyond American Movie Mike Schank devoted his life to those struggling with addiction and helped a plethora of people with their recovery, recently celebrating his 27th year sober, Mike was much more than just a character. Rest in peace#MikeSchank #RIPMikeSchank pic.twitter.com/xVfB2ZYPOn

— Death By DVD (@Deathbydvd) October 13, 2022

Very sad to hear Mike Schank passed away. American Movie is one of my favorite films. I feel the need to express what a loveable guy he seemed to be. Also he’s been 27 years clean and sober which is inspiring that you could always move on from your past. He’ll be missed.

— Cinemassacre (@cinemassacre) October 14, 2022

So singular. RIP Mike Schank. #AmericanMovie https://t.co/DVtNCJTDko

— Carrie Coon (@carriecoon) October 14, 2022

RIP Mike Schankhttps://t.co/mrnllVNcTp

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) October 13, 2022

Mike Schank, you will be missed. So much more than just a character in a documentary. You were a kind soul and I was very glad we got to spend some time together. pic.twitter.com/usWBAhYr77

— Jake Fogelnest (@jakefogelnest) October 13, 2022