{"id":97017,"date":"2022-10-14T15:18:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T15:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/mike-schank-dead-american-movie-documentary-subject-dies-at-56\/"},"modified":"2022-10-14T15:18:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-14T15:18:57","slug":"mike-schank-dead-american-movie-documentary-subject-dies-at-56","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/mike-schank-dead-american-movie-documentary-subject-dies-at-56\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike Schank Dead: ‘American Movie’ Documentary Subject Dies at 56"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\tMike Schank, guitarist, actor, friend and beloved subject of the 1999 documentary \u201cAmerican Movie,\u201d died on Thursday morning, according to the Milwaukee Record. He was 56. <\/p>\n

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\tThe exceedingly gifted screamer was a highlight from the cult classic directed by Chris Smith. <\/p>\n

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\tThe film followed Wisconsin director Mark Borchardt as he attempted to film his fraught horror movie \u201cCoven.\u201d With a crew made up of friends and family members, just about every part of the production process fell apart, except for Schank, who was always there for his friend. Schank appeared as an extra, assistant, edit bay buddy and epic storyteller. <\/p>\n

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\tSchank was also a guitarist and even recorded music for the soundtrack to the documentary. Besides acting in \u201cCoven,\u201d he would also appear in the 2001 film \u201cStorytelling,\u201d the 2014 pic \u201cHamlet ADD\u201d and cameo as himself on an episode of \u201cFamily Guy.\u201d <\/p>\n

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\t\u201cAmerican Movie\u201d won the grand jury prize for documentary at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. Schank and Borchardt both returned to the fest in 2002. <\/p>\n

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\tThe Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with Schank’s friend Jackie Bogenberger, who announced his death on social media. \u201cHe was just always there, every single day,\u201d Bogenberger said. She also revealed that Schank was recently diagnosed with cancer.<\/p>\n

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\tOnline, friends and fans paid their respects to Schank. <\/p>\n

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\t\u201cStay strong forever, Mike\u2026\u201d childhood friend and \u201cCoven\u201d director Borchardt tweeted<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tMark Duplas wrote<\/a>, \u201cRIP Mike Schank. Watch him in ‘American Movie’ and learn how to be a good friend.\u201d <\/p>\n

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\tElijah Wood quote tweeted Duplass’ statement and added \u201cwhat a legend.\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n

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\t\u201cBaby Driver\u201d and \u201cShaun of the Dead\u201d director Edgar Wright shared a story about Schank. \u201cRIP Mike Schank, the sweet funny soul at the heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Movie.’ Me, Simon & Nick were obsessed with it and since they included Mike’s home number on the DVD extras, we called him from London one night. If you’ve never seen it, please do immediately.\u201d <\/p>\n

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RIP Mike Schank, the sweet funny soul at the heart of the extraordinary doc ‘American Movie’. Me, Simon & Nick were obsessed with it and since they included Mike’s home number on the DVD extras, we called him from London one night. If you’ve never seen it, please do immediately. pic.twitter.com\/RCWm3uBAZz<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 13, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n