Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

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)

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

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:

"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.

Sponsored message

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

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today