Kevin Brophy, the actor renowned for his roles in the ABC series “Lucan” and the cult horror film “Hell Night,” has passed away at the age of 70. Brophy’s family announced that he died on May 11 at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California, after a decade-long battle with stage 4 cancer.
Brophy’s career began with his first professional acting job on the 1977-78 series “Lucan.” In this short-lived show, he portrayed a 20-year-old man who had spent the first decade of his life being raised by wolves in the forests of Minnesota. His character, Lucan, possessed extraordinary abilities such as enhanced strength, agility, and heightened senses of smell and hearing. When angered, his eyes would glow amber, adding a supernatural element to his persona.
Reflecting on his role in “Lucan,” Brophy once shared in an interview for the Happy Horror Time podcast that he approached the character as someone experiencing everything for the first time. “He goes to college and they teach him to eat … he’s like a student of life,” he said. Despite its unique premise, the series lasted only 12 episodes.
In 1981, Brophy starred in “Hell Night,” directed by Tom DeSimone. He played Peter Bennett, the president of the Alpha Sigma Rho fraternity, who orchestrates a terrifying initiation for four new pledges by having them spend a night in the abandoned Garth Manor. The film has since become a cult classic, with Brophy’s performance being particularly memorable.
Kevin Michael Brophy was born on November 1, 1953, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family moved to the San Fernando Valley when he was nine years old. He attended St. Cyril’s Elementary School in Encino, high school in Del Mar, California, and later graduated from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). During his time at CalArts, he was classmates with notable actors such as Ed Harris, David Hasselhoff, and Paul Reubens.
Brophy’s entry into the acting world was serendipitous. While starring in a college play about Jesse James, a William Morris agent noticed his photograph in the Los Angeles Times and signed him. A year later, on his way to audition for “Lucan” at MGM, he had a chance encounter with Barry Lowen, an MGM executive, which led to him securing the role.
Throughout his career, Brophy appeared in various television series and films. He played the villain Jocco Halsey on “The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries” in 1978 and had guest roles on popular shows like “M*A*S*H,” “The Love Boat,” “Trapper John,” “Matt Houston,” “Growing Pains,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “JAG.” His film credits include “The Long Riders” (1980) and “GoodFellas” (1990).
In addition to his acting career, Brophy worked as a valet at the Hotel Bel-Air for 26 years, starting in 1983. He later served as a host at the Luxe Hotel in Beverly Hills. During his time at the Hotel Bel-Air, he once encountered Quentin Tarantino, who praised his monologue in “Hell Night.”
Brophy is survived by his wife, Amy; his mother, Carol; his brother, John, and his wife, Wendy; his children, Kelly, Michael, Megan, and Ryan; and his grandchildren, Jarrah and Saylor. A celebration of his life is scheduled for June 29 at St. Cyril’s Church in Encino.
Kevin Brophy’s legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his memorable performances and the impact he had on those who knew him. His roles in “Lucan” and “Hell Night” continue to be celebrated by fans and serve as a testament to his talent and dedication to his craft.
