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Meat Loaf had an incredible career in music and movies. dpa

'Bat Out of Hell' singer and actor Meat Loaf dead at 74

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 1/21/22

Meat Loaf died Thursday (Jan. 20) at 74 years old, as confirmed by his manager, Michael Greene.

Per The New York Times, "The cause and location were not given."

Born Marvin Aday, Meat Loaf captured lightning in a bottle with Bat Out of Hell, his 1977 album. "It sold tens of millions of copies worldwide, reached the year-end Billboard 200 albums charts for both 1978 and 1979, and made Meat Loaf a superstar," Billboard's Andrew Unterberger wrote for the outlet's "Forever No. 1" series. "The next decade would see pop and rock only further embracing Bat Out of Hell’s sense of over-the-top melodrama."

Bat Out of Hell featured the Platinum smash "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," one of Meat Loaf's more enduring songs alongside the likes "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)" from 1993's Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell. "I'd Do Anything For Love" earned Meat Loaf his first and only Grammy, for best rock solo vocal performance.

Meat Loaf's roots were in theatrics, as he reflected upon with People in 2016. His acting credits were vast and included iconic films The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and Fight Club (1999).

"I don’t keep pictures from films around home," wrote Edward Norton, Meat Loaf's Fight Club co-star, on Twitter. "But I have this one in my office in a frame bc it makes me smile every time. It’s engraved ‘Love and Hugs, Meat’ it sums him up well. He was so funny. And gentle. And warm to everyone. A sweet soul. RIP Meat Loaf."

Norton continued in another tweet: "To us he will always be 'Bob'. Those were some wonderful months of laughter & irreverence. The hardest thing about working w/ Meat was getting through any of these ridiculous moments without cracking up. Him lying on the table playing dead then belting out Zeppelin. Good times."

See some of the tributes pouring out for Meat Loaf below.

“From his heart to your souls … don’t ever stop rocking!”

Statement on Meat Loaf’s official Facebook page pays tribute to “an inspiring artist and beautiful man” as rock superstar dies at age 74. https://t.co/zDrv2rvviS pic.twitter.com/fZdjAebY0Z
— ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2022

Had So Much Fun With Meatloaf When We Did “Dead Ringer”. Am Very Sorry For His Family,Friends,& Fans. Am I imagining It, or Are Amazing Ppl In The Arts Dying every other Day⁉️
— Cher (@cher) January 21, 2022

The vaults of heaven will be ringing with rock. RIP Meatloaf. Give my best to Jim. - ALW
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 21, 2022

#MeatLoaf 09/27/1947 - 01/20/2022
You were a sweetheart of a guy pic.twitter.com/AiYAs8guyC
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) January 21, 2022

Meat Loaf died today. Age 74. I remember hosting the American Music Awards with him and Will Smith. He was such a kind soul. He gave us so much. He will surely be missed. Our loss, heaven’s gain. Rest in peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/MwLJfcJcv3
— Reba McEntire (@reba) January 21, 2022

… he had the quality of being simultaneously frightening and cuddly, which is rare and rather wonderful …
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 21, 2022

A gentle hearted powerhouse rockstar forever and ever. You were so kind. Your music will always be iconic. I’m sure you’re singing concerts in the great beyond. Rest In Peace sir. #MeatLoafRIP #Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/9twdJcOeP1
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) January 21, 2022

I am shocked & saddened by the sudden death of Meat Loaf. He was, as you might imagine, a larger than life character with a voice & stage presence to match & is one of those rare people who truly was a one off talent and personality. Rest In Peace
— Bonnie Tyler (@BonnieTOfficial) January 21, 2022

R.I.P Meatloaf. Love and prayers to all his family and close friends. He once turned me upside down in a Chinese Restaurant in St Johns Wood.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) January 21, 2022

RIP Meatloaf pic.twitter.com/KpU7VOrVXH
— Tenacious D (@tenaciousd) January 21, 2022

I don’t keep pictures from films around home. But I have this one in my office in a frame bc it makes me smile every time. It’s engraved ‘Love and Hugs, Meat’ it sums him up well. He was so funny. And gentle. And warm to everyone. A sweet soul. RIP Meat Loaf pic.twitter.com/aMrIgXByEc
— Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) January 21, 2022

We wanted you, we needed you--and we loved you. Three out of three after all, Meatloaf. You will be missed.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) January 21, 2022

RIP Meat Loaf, 74.
One of rock music’s all-time great characters whose seminal iconic album Bat Out Of Hell is one of the biggest-selling records in history.
A wondrously talented, flamboyant, funny, outrageous and rebellious chameleon. Sad news. pic.twitter.com/J0UNQgGahn
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2022

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