Hervé Villechaize
Hervé Villechaise (April 23, 1943–September 4, 1993) was a famous French actor who was born in Paris and achieved world-wide recognition with his role as Tattoo in the television series Fantasy Island (1978-1984). He was also well known for playing the henchman Nick Nack in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.
Villechaise suffered from dwarfism due to a thyroid dysfunction throughout his life despite his sergeant father's attempts to cure the disease in several institutions. He insisted on being called a midget, rather than "little person," irritating activists like Billy Barty who felt that euphemisms hurt their cause. After receiving his initial art training in France, he left for the USA, where he continued his career as an artist and photographer.
His first movie appearance was in Chappaqua in 1966, which was followed by several films including Crazy Joe, Seizure, and The Forbidden Zone. He proved a popular, though difficult actor on Fantasy Island where he continually propositioned women and quarreled with the producers. He was eventually fired, but the show's popularity jumped the shark as a result of this move, and it was soon cancelled.
As a consequence of his health problems and troubles in his professional career, Villechaise became alcoholic and depressive in the last few years of his life. In 1993, he shot himself at his home and was found by his wife, Kathy Self. He died in hospital in North Hollywood, California as a result of his injuries.