Alan O’Neill – best known for playing Hugh on Sons of Anarchy – has died aged 47.
The Irish actor’s manager has confirmed the death, which was first reported by TMZ.
O’Neill’s body was discovered by his girlfriend in the hallway of their Los Angeles apartment on Wednesday (6 June) evening.
The American publication reports that O’Neill had a history of heart problems, was a heavy smoker, and struggled with alcohol abuse.
Timothy Murphy, who also appeared on Sons of Anarchy, led tributes, calling O’Neill a “good friend”, while his manager Greg Meyer released a statement reading: “He was a great guy who was very funny and engaging as well as a very talented actor. He was also an expert equestrian horse trainer.”
O’Neill’s agent Annette Walsh said: “I’ll personally miss knowing Alan isn’t sharing the planet with us any longer, despite the miles between L.A. and Dublin, Alan was only ever a phone call away.”
An autopsy will take place at a later date but no foul play is suspected.
O’Neill’s played various minor characters on TV shows starting in the late 90s, coming to national attention playing the character Keith McGrath in the Irish soap Fair City. He later appeared in the sixth and seventh seasons of Sons of Anarchy.
