Finding a gig in Hollywood is hard enough, but imagine trying to do it and being only 3″ 11″ tall. Such was the plight of pint-sized actor Herve Villechaize.

Herve was born in Paris in 1943. Bullied in school, he took solace in art and began painting. He attended Beaux-Arts and even had his own exhibits. He left France fo the United States at age 21. While still painting, he began acting in small cult films such as Chappaqua and The Last Stop. His big break came when he landed the role of Nick Nack in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.

However, Herve would always be remembered for his role as Tattoo on “Fantasy Island.” As Mr. Roarke’s servant, Herve became famous for the quote “Da plane! Da plane!” The show made Herve a wealthy man, but when he asked the producers for even more money in 1983, he suddenly found himself unemployed.

It was probably of little consolation to Herve that the show was cancelled the next year. Herve’s former butler told E! that Herve never got over losing that job.

Troubled, Herve began drinking to combat his depression. As his health deteriorated, he couldn’t take it anymore. On the early morning of September 3, 1993, Herve wrote the following suicide note:

I have to do what’s right. At 6 years old I knew there was no place for me. Who believed my (illegible) best friend girl will not call my mom to answer the Q’s. I hope she does not hurt. I’m still alive. Please know Kathy has the right of attorney over my health and my belongings belong to Kathy Self including the right to a script and movie and writings, etc. I love you all too much, it’s one of just of my problems. Mom! My brothers you didn’t exhist to my heart you never care only about yourselves since 1955, you remember??? Kathy did her best, you didn’t so she deserves everything.  

Herve’s common law wife, Kathy Self, was awakened by the shot, even though Herve tried to muffle it with a pillow. Although he had disassembled the phones of the house, she was able to call 911 with her cell phone, but it was too late. Herve was pronounced dead at the Medical Center of North Hollywood. At the time of his death, Herve was talking to execs at Cartoon Network for him to appear in Space Ghost Coast to Coast as Space Ghost’s sidekick.

Herves remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered off Point Fermin, Los Angeles.

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Tags: Dwarf, Fantasy Island, Herve Villechaize, Television

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