Fans of classic horror are mourning the sudden loss of Jonathan Tiersten, best known for his role in the cult slasher hit Sleepaway Camp. The actor has died at the age of 60, with his passing now under investigation.
Tiersten’s brother, William Tiersten, confirmed that the actor died at his home in New Jersey last week. Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and the medical examiner is continuing to look into the circumstances.
Tiersten became a familiar face to horror fans after landing the role of Ricky Thomas in Sleepaway Camp—a low-budget slasher that went on to become a cult classic thanks to its shocking twists and unforgettable characters. He later reprised the role in Return to Sleepaway Camp and Sleepaway Camp IV: The Survivor, cementing his place in horror movie history.
Born in New York and raised in New Jersey, Tiersten pursued his passion for acting by studying at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School, part of New York University. While his early film success made him a recognizable name among horror fans, he later shifted his focus toward music around the early 2000s.
Tiersten didn’t stay away from the screen forever. He returned to acting years later, taking on roles in indie films like Redemption and The Perfect House. He also explored work behind the scenes, composing the score for the short film Demption.
His talents didn’t go unnoticed—Tiersten picked up three Best Actor awards between 2012 and 2013 for his work in independent film.
Outside of acting, he was also a musician and the lead singer of his band, Ten Tiers, showing off another side of his creative life.
News of his death has left fans stunned, especially as questions remain about what exactly happened.
Too young to go… but a lot of actors go young…