WOOLF, Ben 1980 - 2015

WOOLF

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 3/29/2015 at 16:25:33

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Front Page

FHS alumnus, actor Ben WOOLF dies

WOOLF hit by car in Los Angeles
By Nicole Hester-Williams
Ledger staff writer

"We're all freaks in our own way; if there were no freaks, then everyone would be normal," "American Horror Story" actor Ben WOOLF said in a previously aired interview broadcasted on Heavy.com.

WOOLF, who was an alumnus of Fairfield High School Class of 1999, died Monday from a stroke - a result of injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle's side mirror Thursday in Los Angeles, California.

The 34-year-old actor was a cast member on the FX show, "American Horror Story," playing the roles of Infantata in season one and Meep in season four.

"He was a tremendous professional and an incredibly kind person, beloved by the 'American Horror Story' family," FX and the show's producers released in a statement.

The show's creator, Ryan Murphy, expressed similar sentiments.

"One of the most inspirational people I've ever met," Murphy, tweeted Monday.

Fairfield High School drama teacher Scott Slechta said WOOLF was known for his role as the Dormouse in the FHS production of "Alice in Wonderland."

"Ben was active in drama," Slechta said. "He loved the stage, and he loved to act. He was inducted into Thespian Troupe No. 544, and he attended statewide Thespian conferences for many years."

WOOLF moved to Los Angeles several years ago, becoming a principle actor for Art saves Lives, a Guerilla Street Theater company.

"He was cast as Hermes in 'Living La Vida MOCHA' in 2011," said Joey Krebs, founding director of Art Saves Lives. "It was presented as a cultural social satire of MOCHA Museum of Contemporary Art."

Krebs said he felt like the role launched WOOLF into the Hollywood spotlight.

"He was staged in many different types of roles after playing that role," Krebs said. "Ben WOOLF was a very thoughtful individual. He was a conscientious objector whose creative talents extended far beyond the realm of acting into cultural and social protest."

Diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism as a child, WOOLF found that his acting ability did not always precede his 4 foot 4 inch frame.

In a previously recorded interview, WOOLF described his experiences in Los Angeles as challenging at times.

"It's become challenging for me when I go out in Los Angeles where I live; it's kind of hard there, which is weird, because you don't think it should be," WOOLF said. "You think that they'd be more accepting of people who are different; it's kind of the opposite."

Krebs said WOOLF shared some of his experiences with him.

"He was actually jumped by a group of high school students for his iPhone when he first moved here -- so he was navigating treachery as well," Krebs said.

However, despite his difficulties, WOOLF said he just ignored those who didn't treat him with respect, and said he continued to work to the best of his abilities.

"He had within himself the ability to set goals and to achieve goals," Slechta said. "For this reason, it doesn't surprise me that he committed himself and dedicated himself to success."

When he wasn't acting, WOOLF worked as a preschool teacher.

He called working with children a "different world" because there were no rules.

"We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from all over the world for our beloved Ben. He touched so many hearts in his 34 years," WOOLF's family told TMZ.

Krebs said a memorial service is being organized for WOOLF in Santa Barbara, California.

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*Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. This material may NOT be copied and re-posted in any public venue such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without permission from The Fairfield Ledger ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: An online memorial for Ben gives his date of birth as September 15, 1980.

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