Stephen Hibbert, the actor and writer widely recognized for portraying The Gimp in Quentin Tarantino’s iconic 1994 film Pulp Fiction, has died at the age of 68.
Hibbert died March 2 in Denver, Colorado after suffering a heart attack, according to statements from family members. His children confirmed the news, saying their father’s life was defined by both creativity and dedication to family.
“Our father, Stephen Hibbert, passed away unexpectedly this week,” the family said in a statement. “His life was full of love and dedication to the arts and his family. He will be dearly missed by many.”
Born in Fleetwood, England, Hibbert first made his mark in entertainment as a television writer before appearing on screen. Early in his career, he wrote for Late Night with David Letterman from 1984 to 1986, contributing to more than 250 episodes during the program’s early years.
He later continued writing for television with credits that included Boy Meets World, Mad TV, Animaniacs, and Darkwing Duck. Hibbert also co-wrote the 1994 comedy It’s Pat: The Movie with his then-wife, actress and comedian Julia Sweeney.
While his writing career was extensive, Hibbert became instantly recognizable to movie audiences for his brief but unforgettable appearance in Pulp Fiction. In the film’s infamous pawn shop basement scene, he portrayed the mysterious masked character known as The Gimp.
Hibbert also appeared in several other films, including Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, The Cat in the Hat, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. On television, he made guest appearances on shows such as Just Shoot Me!, Jericho, True Jackson, VP, and Dr. Ken.
In later years, Hibbert remained active in the creative community in Denver, teaching improv at Chaos Bloom Theater and sharing his knowledge with students studying film and performance.
He is survived by his three children: Ronnie, Rosalind, and Greg.