CHICAGO -- Holly Wantuch, a beloved Chicago actress, succumbed to heart disease on Jan. 26.

She was 33 and died in California, where she had recently moved.

Wantuch appeared in the highly successful thriller Killer Joe, written by her partner, Tracy Letts, which premiered at Next Theatre Lab in 1993. She went on to repeat her role of an elaborately abused wife in the play when it opened in London's West End. In London she also appeared in the Gate Theatre's production of Letts' Bug.

Wantuch was also seen in Hurricane and Hellcab at Famous Door Theatre, The Day Room at Remains Theatre, Piaf at Interplay and The Elvis at Raven Theatre.

In addition, she was seen in the Next Theatre productions of Custer, Coriolanus, Knuckle and Bang the Drum Slowly. Recently, Wantuch was assistant director of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial at A Red Orchid Theatre.

Her final Chicago performance was in 'Tis Pity She's A Whore, where she won a rave review from Richard Christiansen of the Chicago Tribune.

A wake is planned for Jan. 30 in Chicago.

-- By Lawrence Bommer
Chicago Correspondent