Tom Noonan, the villain in “Manhunter” and “RoboCop 2,” has died. He was 74.
Often described by fans and filmmakers as the “perfect bad guy,” Noonan carved out a singular career playing outsiders, monsters and deeply unsettling antagonists.https://t.co/eWiH55LKD6 pic.twitter.com/M7HnFz2YtV
— Variety (@Variety) February 18, 2026
Tom Noonan, star of films such as Manhunter, RoboCop 2 and The Monster Squad, has passed away at the age of 74.
His résumé also included “Heat,” “The House of the Devil” and “12 Monkeys,” along with television appearances on “The X-Files” and “CSI.”
Manhunter director Michael Mann wrote the following:
Terribly sad about Tom Noonan passing. In casting Manhunter I auditioned about 10-15 actors in New York when Tom walked in the door and said, “I don’t want to talk. I just want to read.” He read and it was magical. We worked closely. I based Dollarhyde less on the novel’s… pic.twitter.com/xxT5Rd9HWS
— Michael Mann (@michaelmann) February 18, 2026