CW Morgan, best known for playing lawyer Hank Loomis, the father of Billy Loomis in the horror film Scream, has died at 72. The actor appeared in the original 1996 film and returned for a cameo in Scream 3 in 2000.
TMZ first reported Morgan’s death, citing medical examiner records that place his death on 30 August in Los Angeles.
A death certificate obtained by People states that Morgan died in the hallway bathroom of an apartment building. The document lists the cause of death as deferred, while authorities continue to investigate the manner of death. No autopsy took place.
Born Curtis Wade Morgan in Bisbee, Arizona, in 1954, he worked under the name C.W. Morgan. He earned several screen credits during the 1990s, beginning with the television film The Last of His Tribe. He also worked as a law clerk.
In Wes Craven’s Scream, Morgan played Hank Loomis, a lawyer who defended his son Billy’s innocence in connection with the Ghostface murders in Woodsboro. Billy, played by Skeet Ulrich, was one of the killers, although Hank appeared unaware of his son’s role.
Morgan returned briefly in Scream 3. The film revealed that Hank had secretly had an affair with Maureen Prescott, the mother of Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell.
Morgan never married. His daughter, Renata Macfie, paid tribute to him in an emotional Facebook post on 30 August, reflecting on their close bond and the routines they shared.
“The loss has left the biggest hole in my heart. I miss you endlessly already. I will carry on our Mulholland drives and our Starbucks outings. I’m grateful and lucky to have had you as my daddy,” she wrote.
Morgan’s friend Paul Codiga also remembered him in a tribute, describing him as “a devoted father to Renata Macfie, a brilliant actor, a loving friend and an incredible writer”.
Morgan occasionally shared glimpses of his life on Instagram. His posts included regular selfies featuring “I Voted” stickers.
