Buddy Duress, known for his role in the Safdie brothers' crime thriller 'Good Time,' has passed away at the age of 38. Born as Michael C. Stathis in Queens, New York, in May 1985, Duress made his acting debut in the 2014 film 'Heaven Knows What' directed by Josh and Benny Safdie.
In 'Good Time,' Duress portrayed Ray, a drug dealer who partners with Connie Nikas (played by Robert Pattinson) in a quest to retrieve a bottle containing acid. His performance in the film garnered praise for its authenticity and charisma.
Aside from 'Heaven Knows What' and 'Good Time,' Duress appeared in several other films, including 'Person to Person' (2017), 'The Great Darkened Days' (2018), 'Beware of Dog' (2020), 'PVT Chat' (2020), 'Flinch' (2021), and 'Funny Pages' (2022). He also has two unreleased projects, a short film titled 'Skull' and Jay Karales' upcoming feature 'Mass State Lottery.'
Director Jay Karales, who worked with Duress on 'Mass State Lottery,' remembered him as an 'absolute treasure' with unparalleled storytelling abilities. Karales praised Duress for bringing a unique authenticity to his roles and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with him.
Buddy Duress passed away in November 2023 due to cardiac arrest resulting from a drug cocktail. He is survived by his mother, Jo-Anne, and younger brother, Christopher. His contributions to the film industry and his memorable performances will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
