Evil Dead II star Danny Hicks dead at 68 just four weeks after revealing he had stage 4 cancer

Danny Hicks has died aged 68.

The actor – who was most known for his roles in several Sam Raimi films including Evil Dead II, and Darkman – has passed away at the age of 68 following a battle with stage four cancer, according to his company Full Empire Promotions.

The company posted a tribute reel of his performances on screen on YouTube on Tuesday and wrote: ‘Danny passed away at his home in CA. We love you Danny, rest easy my friend. No more pain. (sic)’

Somber announcement: Danny Hicks has died aged 68 just four weeks after announcing he had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer Friday on Facebook and had ‘approximately 1 to 3 years to live’; pictured in 2015

And the description of the three-minute video read: ‘On June 30, 2020 we lost a friend, client, and talent actor in Danny Hicks. Here is our tribute to the star of Evil Dead 2, Intruder, Darkman, and so many other classic horror films. We will miss you Danny! (sic)’

In early June Hicks announced that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

‘To all of the people that I never got to meet, and the 6,018 die hard fans that enjoyed my work. I have some bad news,’ he began his post on Facebook.

‘I have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,’ he wrote, adding, ‘I have approximately 1 to 3 years to live.’

‘I gotta tell ya, I sure as hell packed a whole bunch of living into my 68 years. I got no change coming back that’s for sure. And not too many regrets,’ he continued.

‘Ok, gotta go. I’m gunna find out just what in the hell is going on down in that fruit cellar,’ he joked at the end, referencing the grisly end his character met in Evil Dead II.

The actor also included a close-up photo of himself with a hint of a smile. 

Worth it: 'I gotta tell ya, I sure as hell packed a whole bunch of living into my 68 years. I got no change coming back that's for sure. And not too many regrets,' he wrote

Worth it: ‘I gotta tell ya, I sure as hell packed a whole bunch of living into my 68 years. I got no change coming back that’s for sure. And not too many regrets,’ he wrote

Hicks’ post directed his followers to the booking agency run by his friend Dominic Mancini, who created a GoFundMe to cover the actor’s medical expenses, which exceeded its goal within 24 hours.

‘Whether you admire Danny on screen, were lucky enough to meet him in person at a convention, or just talked to him on social media — we can all agree that Danny is one of the most humble, down to earth, funny, talented, and generous people you will ever meet,’ Mancini wrote. ‘

He always gives 100% to his fans and friends, on screen and off screen. Now, I am kindly asking that we return that favor and help Danny and his family get through some tough times.’

Mancini also wrote that his company would be setting up an online store for fans to buy autographs and signed memorabilia from Hicks, which would be open until July 6. 

Success: A GoFundMe set up to cover his medical expenses exceeded its goal within a day, and an online store will be created for fans to by his autographs through July 6; shown in 2016

Success: A GoFundMe set up to cover his medical expenses exceeded its goal within a day, and an online store will be created for fans to by his autographs through July 6; shown in 2016

Horror–comedy: He's best known for playing Jake (right), a local hillbilly who meets a bad end in Sam Rami's cult classic Evil Dead II (1987)

Horror–comedy: He’s best known for playing Jake (right), a local hillbilly who meets a bad end in Sam Rami’s cult classic Evil Dead II (1987)

Hicks is best known for his long association with director Sam Raimi, going back to his early low-budget horror films and continuing with bigger budget fare years later.

He played Jake, a local hillbilly who meets a bad end, in Evil Dead II, a reboot and sequel to the horror classic which added a dash of humor to the proceedings and became a touchstone of the genre in its own right.

He also appeared in the Raimi-produced slasher film Intruder, as well as Raimi’s thriller Darkman, starring Liam Neeson.

Later, he’d play small roles for the director in Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Oz The Great And Powerful (2013). 

Longtime collaborator: His other roles for director Sam Raimi include a part in the Liam Neeson–starring Darkman (1990) and a small role in Spider-Man 2 (2004); still from Darkman

Longtime collaborator: His other roles for director Sam Raimi include a part in the Liam Neeson–starring Darkman (1990) and a small role in Spider-Man 2 (2004); still from Darkman