Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

'American Horror Story' Actor Dies After Being Clipped By SUV Side Mirror In Hollywood

ben-woolf.jpg
Ben Woolf (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
()

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

Ben Woolf, who played Meep on American Horror Story: Freak Show, died Monday from head injuries, days after he was clipped by an SUV in Hollywood.

Woolf was 34, and his rep confirmed his death to Variety. Woolf suffered a serious head injury when he was hit by the side mirror of an SUV in Hollywood Thursday night. The driver wasn't cited because it appears Woolf was jaywalking.

A sourcetold TMZthat he died from a stroke. He was listed in critical condition immediately after the crash, and he had been heavily sedated at Cedars-Sinai.

TMZ added that his organs will be donated to help about 50 people. His family released a statement, saying Woolf lives on in his work:

Support for LAist comes from
"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all over the world for our beloved Ben. He touched so many hearts in his 34 years. His memory will live on within each of us and within his work."

They will be holding a memorial service for him in Santa Barbara next week.

In the most recent season of American Horror Story, he played a character named Meep, who can only say one word: "meep." Woolf made an appearance in the first season, appearing in five episodes all together. He's also acted in films like Haunting Charles Manson and Unlucky Charms. He worked as a stunt performer in an episode of Dexter. When he's not acting, he also works as a pre-school teacher.

Woolf talked about his role in American Horror Story and the struggles he faces with pituitary dwarfism:

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist