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C.W. Morgan, actor in 'Scream' franchise, dies at 72

PUBLISHED Oct 8, 2026, 6:22 PM ET

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C.W. Morgan, actor in 'Scream' franchise, dies at 72

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 30

Left 10%

Center 87%

Right 3%

Sources: 30

C.W. Morgan, the character actor best known for playing Hank Loomis—the father of Ghostface killer Billy Loomis—in Wes Craven's iconic 1996 horror film Scream and its 2000 sequel Scream 3, has died at the age of seventy-two. Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records indicated that Morgan passed away on August thirty, in Los Angeles County, with his cause of death initially listed as deferred pending final reports. Alongside his memorable role in the horror classic, Morgan's acting career spanned television and film appearances including The Last of His Tribe and Metro, as well as work on the video game The Last Express. Family members, including his daughter, shared emotional tributes remembering his humor and close bond.

By Yusra M. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On June 8, 1954, Curtis Wade Morgan was born in Bisbee, Arizona.
On April 17, 1992, Morgan appeared in the television biographical film The Last of His Tribe.
On December 20, 1996, Wes Craven released the landmark horror feature film Scream, featuring Morgan as Hank Loomis.
On January 17, 1997, Morgan appeared in the action comedy film Metro starring Eddie Murphy.
On March 1, 1997, Morgan contributed voice or acting work to the adventure video game The Last Express.
On February 4, 2000, Morgan reprised his role as Hank Loomis in the horror sequel Scream 3.
On August 30, 2026, C.W. Morgan passed away at his home in Los Angeles County at age seventy-two.
On October 8, 2026, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records and family announcements confirmed public news of his passing.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Horror film enthusiasts and fans of the Scream franchise mourn the loss of character actor C.W. Morgan.
Possible long-term US impact: Remembrance of the foundational 1996 slasher classic cast highlights enduring appreciation for supporting cinematic performances.
Most affected groups: Morgan's family, friends, colleagues, and global fans of the horror genre.
Reader Prioritization: Prioritise verified family statements, official medical examiner records, and retrospective film tributes.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 30
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 3
Neutral:: 26
Distribution:: Left 10%, Center 87%, Right 3%

Explain Framing

Left: Focuses on personal family tributes, emotional social media farewells, and community remembrance within horror fandom. Center: Emphasizes official medical examiner records, acting credits across film and gaming, and factual reporting of career milestones. Right: Highlights traditional cinematic legacy, lasting impact of 1990s slasher films, and enduring cultural footprint of the Scream franchise.