Buddy Duress, born Michael C. Stathis, renowned for his performance alongside Robert Pattinson in the Safdie brothers’ acclaimed 2017 crime thriller “Good Time,” has tragically passed away at the age of 38.
According to his brother Christopher Stathis, Duress succumbed to “cardiac arrest from a drug cocktail” in November 2023, as disclosed to People magazine on Tuesday.
Hailing from Queens, New York, Duress entered the acting scene with his debut in Josh and Benny Safdie’s 2014 film “Heaven Knows What,” sharing the screen with talents like Caleb Landry Jones and Arielle Holmes. In “Good Time,” he portrayed Ray, a drug dealer entangled in a frenetic narrative alongside Pattinson’s character, Connie Nikas, as they pursue a vial of acid.
In addition to his notable roles in “Heaven Knows What” and “Good Time,” Duress contributed to various film projects, including “Person to Person” (2017), “The Great Darkened Days” (2018), “Beware of Dog” (2020), “PVT Chat” (2020), “Flinch” (2021), and “Funny Pages” (2022). He leaves behind two unreleased endeavors: a short film titled “Skull” and Jay Karales’ debut feature “Mass State Lottery,” slated for release this year.
Director-writer Jay Karales, professionally known as LowRes Wünderbred, commemorated Duress on X/Twitter, describing him as an “absolute treasure” and praising his unparalleled talent and charisma on-screen. Karales expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Duress, both as a director and a friend, emphasizing the irreplaceable authenticity he brought to his craft.
Duress is survived by his mother, Jo-Anne, and his younger brother, Christopher. His untimely passing marks a significant loss in the film community, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of working alongside him.
