Actor who played The Gimp in ‘Pulp Fiction’ dead at 68

Stephen Hibbert, best known for playing The Gimp in “Pulp Fiction,” has died at 68. 

The actor and writer died of a heart attack in Denver, CO., on Monday, according to TMZ.

In a statement given to the outlet, Hibbert’s children — Greg, Ronnie, and Rosalind — said, “Our father, Stephen Hibbert, passed away unexpectedly this week. His life was full of love and dedication to the arts and his family. He will be dearly missed by many.”

A rep for the actor did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.  

Hibbert was best known for playing The Gimp in Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 classic “Pulp Fiction,” starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman. His character had no lines and was covered by a leather bodysuit. Bruce Willis’ character had a memorable run-in with him.

Born in Fleetwood, England, Hibbert wrote for TV in the ‘90s, on shows such as “Late Night with David Letterman” “Mad TV” and “Boy Meets World.” 

He also acted as a script doctor for numerous iconic movies like “Shrek” and “Austin Powers,” and he appeared in a small role in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.” 

In a 2024 interview with AARP, he said he met Tarantino at the famous improv group, the Groundlings Theater. 

Since The Gimp had no lines and was covered in leather, he said he got cast without talking. “Quentin and I acted out a master and slave scenario for the casting director. He bossed me around the office and I groveled. I felt like I’d been training all of my work life for an opportunity to audition for a role like that. Whee!”

He also recalled his sudden fame after the movie premiered. The actor said he got “two dozen messages” on his answering machine from men telling him they liked his performance and wanted to meet for coffee. 

“Yikes! These fellas had to wait for the end credits to see who played The Gimp, then find a pay phone, call LA 411 and snag my number. I quickly changed my number and became unlisted,” he quipped. 

He recalled his role fondly, however, noting that he thinks it’s “one of the greatest films of all time,” and “a great time capsule” of LA in the ’90s.

From 1989 to 1994, Hibbert was married to actress Julia Sweeney, who was also in “Pulp Fiction.” 

In addition to writing and acting, he also taught a film theory course at Denver School of the Arts, and he taught improv at Chaos Bloom Theater in Denver. 

Hibbert is survived by his three kids.