Musician Mike Schank, of ‘American Movie’ fame, dead at 56

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is mourning the loss of an unlikely favorite son.

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Musician Mike Schank, best known for his right-hand-man role in the award-winning documentary film “American Movie,” died Thursday at age 56 following a monthslong struggle with cancer, his friend Jackie Bogenberger confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

“It spread quickly everywhere throughout his body in a matter of weeks, touching almost everything except his brain,” Bogenberger told the newspaper.

“One of the last things Mike said to me was, ‘Hey Jackie, I feel really bad for children who have cancer. They should never have to,” he added.

“American Movie,” which won best documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in 1999, chronicled filmmaker Mark Borchart’s efforts to make low-budget horror flick “Coven” with the unyielding assistance of childhood friend Schank.

Schank became Borchart’s “most-trusted crew member” throughout filming, scored the flick and “provided one of cinema’s most memorable screams,” Rolling Stone reported.

Schank also championed his newfound sobriety in the documentary and announced via Twitter in August that he was 27 years sober.

The documentary performance also helped Schank land a small role in the 2001 film “Storytelling” and a voice cameo on “Family Guy,” Rolling Stone reported.

Friends, family members and others paid tribute on Twitter.

“Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood called Schank a “legend,” while comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted a simple “RIP.”

According to the Journal Sentinel, a celebration of life will be held at the Milwaukee Alano Club at noon on Nov. 12.

- The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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