Actor and playwright Tom Noonan has died at the age of 72, with the news confirmed on social media by colleagues including actress Karen Sillas and director Fred Dekker. Sillas mentioned that Noonan passed away peacefully, though no specific cause of death was disclosed.

Noonan began his career on the stages of New York, making a name for himself in the original off-Broadway production of Sam Shepard's 'Buried Child' in 1978. He became well-known in film for portraying intimidating characters, notably the serial killer Francis Dollarhyde in Michael Mann's 'Manhunter' and the Frankenstein monster in 'The Monster Squad'. His work in cinema also included roles as the crime boss Cain in 'RoboCop 2', the assassin in 'Last Action Hero', and the hacker Kelso in 'Heat', working alongside industry icons Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

In addition to his film work, Noonan appeared in several television series, including 'The X-Files', 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit', and '12 Monkeys'. In recent years, he lent his voice to various animated projects, showcasing his versatility as an actor even in non-traditional roles. His contributions to both theater and film have left a lasting impact on audiences and fellow performers alike.