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Michael Villella, the actor known for playing the serial killer Russ Thorn in the cult classic “The Slumber Party Massacre,” has died. He was 84.

Villella’s death was announced Saturday through a statement on his Facebook page: “Michael Pasquale Villella has left this world, may he rest in peace. May God welcome Michael with open arms and bring him into heaven.”

His daughter, Chloe Villella, also confirmed the news on social media. A cause of death was not disclosed.

Villella made his onscreen debut as the drill-wielding killer in 1982’s “The Slumber Party Massacre,” also starring Michelle Michaels and Robin Stille. The film, directed by Amy Holden Jones and written by Rita Mae Brown, was originally meant to be a parody of the slasher genre but ultimately became a straight horror movie.

Although “The Slumber Party Massacre” received mixed reviews from critics, the 1982 original garnered a cult following and inspired...

Michael Villella, an actor known for his role in cult classic The Slumber Party Massacre, has died. He was 84.

Villella’s daughter Chloe confirmed her father’s death on social media on Saturday. Villella’s own 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 bring him into heaven.”

TMZ reported he died of organ failure after around month in the hospital.

Villella played Russ Thorn, the power-drill murderer in 1982’s The Slumber 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.

Though originally intended as a slasher parody, the movie ultimately became a straight horror movie, garnered a cult following and inspired several sequels and spin-offs. Villella...