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Halloween superfan dies an hour after wedding ceremony officiated by Jamie Lee Curtis

Woodle and his girlfriend Emily were the first two people outside of the ‘Halloween Kills’ production to see the new film, ahead of its release next year

Roisin O'Connor
Sunday 22 November 2020 13:25 EST
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Halloween Kills, official teaser trailer (2021)

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A terminally ill horror fan had his final wish fulfilled by actor Jamie Lee Curtis.  

Anthony Woodle, a 29-year-old aspiring director, was diagnosed with esophagael cancer in 2019.  

Curtis, known by film fans as the ultimate “scream queen” due to her roles in the Halloween films and The Fog, initially posted a tribute to Woodle in October after his death.  

“Anthony Woodle, rest in the knowledge that you came from love, were surrounded by love and found true love in Emilee,” she wrote.  

“Anthony, I am honoured to have been your friend and that you and Emilee were the ONLY people who have seen #halloweenkills thanks to #davidgordongreen @antneyw.”

Woodle had been connected with Curtis after getting in touch with Rough House Productions, which is reviving the Halloween franchise.  

He and his longtime girlfriend Emilee were the first outsiders to watch the forthcoming thriller, Halloween Kills, after director David Gordon Green set up a private screening of the film. It will be released in 2021.

“That was the most I’ve seen him smile — during and after the movie,” Emilee told Charleston’s Post and Courier.

It has now emerged, as per a report in Deadline, that Curtis – an ordained minister – ended up officiating a wedding ceremony between Woodle and Emilee, after learning that the couple wanted to get married.

On 13 September, the day the ceremony took place, Woodle’s health reportedly deteriorated dramatically. Curtis spoke over the phone while Woodle was surrounded by family in hospital, with Emilee by his side. The ceremony began at 10.30pm.

“Anthony and Emilee, all anyone is promised is this moment,” Curtis said. “We live and we love in this moment. May the blessings of God rest upon you, may his peace abide with you, may her spirit illuminate your heart now, in this moment.  

“With the power vested in me by the internet, it is my great pleasure to tell you that you are now married people.”

Woodle died at 11:17 PM.

His colleague Paul Brown, owner of the Terrace Theatre, said Woodle had astonished him with the way he dealt with his illness.

“His quiet manner made you think about how you approached issues and challenges,” he told the Post and Courier. “We learned so much from him during this.”

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