Entertainment
‘Scream’ Star Passes Away
Hollywood is mourning the loss of another familiar face after C.W. Morgan, the actor best known for playing the father of a notorious killer in the original “Scream” movie, died at 72.
Morgan, who portrayed Hank Loomis in the 1996 horror classic, died Aug. 30 in Los Angeles County, according to medical examiner records obtained by TMZ. His death was publicly reported Thursday, more than a month after his passing.
Authorities have not released an official cause of death, although records reportedly indicate the actor died inside a bathroom.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department told TMZ that officers responded to a death investigation and that Morgan’s death appeared to have resulted from natural causes.
The Los Angeles Fire Department also confirmed receiving a call involving an unconscious adult male. Morgan was already dead when emergency personnel arrived, and his body was not transported to a hospital because the incident became a coroner’s case.
His daughter, Renata Macfie, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional Facebook tribute Aug. 30, sharing an old photograph alongside memories of their time together.
C.W. Morgan, famous for playing Ghostface killer Billy Loomis’ father [Hank Loomis] in “Scream,” has died at 72 years olds.
His character was a prominent lawyer and the ex-husband of Billy’s mom, Nancy Loomis. He had a secret extramarital affair with main character Sidney Prescott’s mother, Maureen Prescott. The affair broke up the Loomis family and led Billy into a murderous rage.
(https://t.co/TPuUdLw0Yh)
— Ghostface Got Bangs (@ghostfacebangs) October 8, 2026
‘I’m never going to have the right words for this post. Loosing you has left the biggest hole in my heart. I miss you endlessly already. I will carry on our Mulholland drives and our Starbucks outings. I’m grateful and lucky to have had you as my daddy. My Guck. Rest easy bubby.
‘Life will never be the same without you and your poorly timed jokes that I inherited from you. Love you endlessly ( no more fighting about that anymore I win) [red heart emoji]’
Morgan earned his place in horror movie history through his appearance in Wes Craven’s blockbuster “Scream,” which helped revive the slasher genre and introduced audiences to the masked killer Ghostface.
Scream star CW Morgan dead at 72 as daughter pays touching tribute https://t.co/ZEDYeJEgcN
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) October 8, 2026
He played Hank Loomis, the father of Billy Loomis, portrayed by Skeet Ulrich, whose murderous rampage became one of the film’s biggest twists.
Although Morgan’s screen time was limited, his character played a significant role in the twisted family drama behind the killings.
Hank’s affair with Maureen Prescott, the mother of Sidney Prescott, portrayed by Neve Campbell, helped set the stage for the deadly events that unfolded throughout the film.
In one memorable scene, Hank appeared at a police station to defend his son while authorities questioned Billy about the murders terrorizing their small town.
Morgan later briefly reprised the role in 2000’s “Scream 3,” appearing in a flashback that revisited the franchise’s dark history.
The actor also appeared in television productions, including “Nash Bridges,” during his Hollywood career.
His death comes during the 30th anniversary year of the original “Scream,” a film that became a defining horror hit of the 1990s and helped launch one of Hollywood’s most recognizable slasher franchises.
For fans, Morgan will be remembered as part of the original cast. For his daughter, it is the everyday moments, the drives, coffee outings and badly timed jokes, that leave the biggest void.
