Cormac Roth, musician and son of actor Tim Roth and former designer Nikki Butter, died on October 16 at the age of 25 of complications from cancer diagnosed in November 2021. The family made the announcement almost two weeks later, on Monday 31st, through a statement to the American media specializing in Entertainment Variety. “He was a ball of wild, electrical energy and his spirit was filled with light and kindness,” the family said in a statement. “As fierce as he was, Cormac was also the embodiment of good. A gentle soul who brought happiness and hope to those around her. Sorrow comes in waves, as does tears and laughter as we think of this beautiful boy in the 25 years and 10 months we have known him. An irrepressible, happy, wild and wonderful child. Recently a man. We love it. We will take it everywhere.”
Cormac Roth studied at Bennington College, a private art school in Bennington, Vermont, which is known for having among its outstanding graduates authors such as Andrea Dworkin, Bret Easton Ellis or Judith Butler and actors such as Peter Dinklage or Justin Theroux. Cormac Roth’s specialty was music: he was a professional guitarist, composer and producer.
Last July, the musician shared with his followers on social networks the diagnosis of his disease a few months earlier: he had stage III germ cell cancer, the stage before metastasis. “He took half my hearing, 60 pounds, my confidence and he will continue on his murderous path until somehow I can stop and kill him,” he wrote on his Instagram account. “But it hasn’t taken away my will to survive or my love for music. He hasn’t hit me yet. If you or someone you love is being affected by cancer, don’t hesitate to speak up because it’s an emotional roller coaster ride like nothing else. I love you please do the things you love. Life is short. It’s mayhem. And you never know when you will be. Take care and go to the doctor. Fuck cancer.”
His father, Tim Roth, was one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite actors throughout his career, appearing in films such as Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In his career he has starred in major commercial successes such as The Incredible Hulk or Planet of the Apes, as well as in independent and low-budget films such as Mike Leigh’s Meantime or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. starred Tom Stoppard. His acting skills led to his being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995 for his role as Cunningham in the film Rob Roy, The Rebel Passion, the only one the film achieved, starring Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange. . He didn’t make it: Kevin Spacey took him for The Usual Suspects.
Tim Roth has three children: the eldest, Jack Roth, 38, son of actress, writer and producer Lori Baker, is also an actor. As well as Nikki Butter, he had Hunter Roth, 27, and the late Cormac Roth, the youngest of the three.