Angel Star Andy Hallett Dies at 33

Andy Hallett, who played the friendly, music-loving demon Lorne on Angel, has succumbed to the heart disease he first learned of while working on the series. He was 33.

Hallett played the gregarious, green-skinned Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan, familiarly known as Lorne, a demon who did not share his clanmates' bloodthirsty contempt for humans. Instead, once he came to our world through a portal, he learned to use his demon senses to read the auras of humans – especially as they sang. Over seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Angel (2000-2003), Lorne became increasingly involved in the activities of Angel (David Boreanaz) and his team.

Buffy/Angel creator Joss Whedon developed the character after seeing Hallett, then a personal assistant, performing karaoke at a club. It was his first acting job. Hallett sang regularly on the show. During production he learned he had developed cardiomyopathy, leading to a five-year battle that influenced his decision to trade in acting for emphasis on his singing career.

Despite his previous inexperience as an actor, Hallett's natural grace and humor showed through in his performance as Lorne and in his convention appearances.

"He was a hoot," said his agent, Pat Brady. "He was comfortable where he went. Girls loved him. He was a very gregarious, happy young man."