Dr. Giggles is undoubtedly one of horror’s most well-regarded cult classics of the nineties. It’s blend of shocking gore and campy over-the-top performances have made it a firm favourite for fans to revisit, and over the years its reputation has only continued to grow.
So, it is with very heavy hearts that we report that Manny Coto, director of the campy cult classic, passed away on July 9th 2023 at the age of 62.
As per The Hollywood Reporter:
“Coto, whose childhood love of Star Trek and Super-8 moviemaking led to a 40-year career in film and television, died Sunday at his home in Pasadena after a 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer, a family spokesperson announced.”
Indeed, Coto has done so much more over his four-decade career than the 1992 slasher flick. Undoubtedly, it’s for his contributions to television that Coto will leave the biggest mark. A prolific small-screen writer, Coto lent his talents to the likes of American Horror Story, American Horror Stories, The Exorcist, Dexter and would go on to win an Emmy Award for his writing contributions to 24.
Coto also routinely directed for television, acting as showrunner and primary director for Star Trek: Enterprise between 2003 and 2005, fulfilling a life-long wish to be part of the Star Trek franchise.
Other than writing and directing Giggles, Coto is perhaps best remembered by genre fans for his 1990 horror movie The Playroom, also known as Schizo. Coto also directed Mournin’ Mess, a very well regarded 1991 episode of Tales from the Crypt.
The filmmaker had been fighting a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer, before ultimately succumbing to its complications. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Robin Trickett, they had no children. Rest in peace, Manny.
