Assumption Alum and Angel star passes away Mar. 29

On March 29, actor, singer and Assumption alum Andy Hallett '97 passed away. Hallett, 33, was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after complaining of shortness of breath, his agent and close friend Pat Brady reported. For the past five years, Hallett suffered from a degenerative heart condition called cardiomyopathy. His father, Dave Hallett, was by his side when it claimed his young life. Hallett, an Osterville, MA native, received notoriety for his role on the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff series, Angel. The 2000 - 2004 role was his first speaking one; Hallett played Krevlornswath of the Deathwok Clan, or Lorne for short, a charismatic, singing green demon - usually decked out in disco clothing and always sporting red horns on his forehead.

An immediate fan favorite, the role grew for Hallett from a guest role to a series regular. He appeared in over 70 episodes of Angel until the WB series' cancellation in 2004.

Lorne was also called "The Host" due to the fact that he ran a karaoke bar that Angel, David Boreanaz's title character, frequented. When people sang karaoke at Lorne's bar, he could see into their minds - and help Angel solve crimes of the underworld.

Hallett also had a powerful effect on those he met. He studied business and communications while at Assumption. Professor Frank Corbin of the music department recalls having Hallett in class the last semester of his senior year in 1997.

"Andy took my beginning piano class. There were only about six people, so I got to know all the students in class pretty well," Corbin said. "Andy was one of the most personable, outgoing people I'd ever met."

A talented singer and performer, Hallett was shy about sharing his talent in high school and while at Assumption. In an article for Assumption magazine by Professor Mike Land in 2003, Hallett explained his initial hesitation to do what he loved.

".Hallett enjoyed performing as a child, videotaping his imitations of pro wrestlers. But he avoided the stage once he hit adolescence," Land wrote. He quoted Hallett in the article saying, "'This is the part that still ticks me off: I stopped performing because my friends thought it wasn't a cool thing for guys to do.'"

However, something happened that forced Hallett to acknowledge where he was meant to be. This experience happened during Hallett's time at Assumption. He went to a Patti LaBelle concert with fellow Assumption student and friend Rita Mohr. Corbin recalls Hallett's love for LaBelle, saying "He had a big thing for Patti LaBelle. He was always talking about that in class."

At the concert, LaBelle invited Hallett up to sing on stage when she saw him singing along to her famous hit, "Lady Marmalade." Recalling that night to Land, Hallett said:

"When she heard me sing, she said, 'let's keep going.' Somehow the other guys got whisked off stage and we finished off with a huge ending, me trying to keep pace with Patti LaBelle. That was my first little taste of anything. People were high-fiving me. I felt like Mick Jagger," Hallett recalled.

Coming off of his experience, and with the support and encouragement of his family, Hallett moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of becoming a performer. He eventually was hired as a personal assistant to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel creator Joss Wheadon, after being introduced to him by his high school friend.

After seeing Hallett sing in karaoke bars, Wheadon created the role of Lorne for him on Angel. He also sang two songs on the Angel: Live Fast, Die Never soundtrack, "It's Not Easy Being Green" and - the song that changed everything for him - "Lady Marmalade." Clips of Hallett performing songs as Lorne can be seen on YouTube.com. His rendition of "I Will Survive" is among his most memorable.

Bringing his own quick, witty personality into the role allowed Hallett to make it his own, even though he was unrecognizable covered in green makeup, wearing a prosthetic nose and looking out of bright red contacts. He enjoyed connecting with fans of the show at conventions. Since Angel ended, he did some voiceover work and continued to pursue on his music career.

Hallett's success was wonderful news, but came as no surprise to those who knew him at Assumption. Corbin said, "Andy was always in a good mood. He was a good student. He sent me a card with a picture of himself in the green makeup he wore on the show, and I just laughed. I never knew he wanted to act, but it doesn't surprise me that he was successful at it once he decided that's what he wanted to do."

When he moved into his first home, Hallett bought a baby grand piano, a tribute to his time at Assumption, learning how to play in Corbin's class.

Hallett visited Assumption a few times after his graduation when he came home from Los Angeles to visit his family on Cape Cod. During his interview with Land in 2003, he was told that AC Upstage was performing the musical "Guys and Dolls" that coming spring. Reflecting on his reluctance to perform during college, Hallett said, "Tell them. I just wish I were there to be in it."

Although Hallett can no longer be here, Assumption will never forget him. All who knew Andy Hallett will remember his kind, outgoing personality. All of his fans will remember his talent, wit and beautiful singing voice. Through them, he will survive.