The “Slumber Party Massacre” actor was 84 years old

Michael Villella, actor known for his role in the cult classic Pajama party massacredied. He was 84 years old.

Villella’s daughter, Chloe, confirmed her father’s death social media on Saturday. Villella’s Facebook page also announced his death the same day, writing: “Michael Pasquale Villella has left this world, may he rest in peace. May God welcome Michael with open arms and take him to heaven.”

TMZ reported that he died of organ failure after about a month in the hospital.

Villella played Russ Thorn, the 1982 electric drill murderer Pajama party massacre which also starred Michelle Michaels and Robin Stille. Directed by Amy Holden Jones and co-written by Jones and Rita Mae Brown, the film was Villella’s acting debut.

While originally intended as a parody of a slasher film, it ultimately became a straight-up horror film, gained a cult following, and inspired several sequels and spin-offs. Villella had a minor role in the 1990 spin-off, Massacre in the student dormitory IIand appeared in the 2010 documentary, Sleepless nights: revisiting the slumber party massacres.

Villella also starred in 1983 Love letterssummer 1988 Gothamyears 1989 Wild Orchid and 1991 Wild Orchid II: Two shades of blue. He appeared in episodes on television Amazing stories AND Getting away with murder.