‘Chuck Varga’, a founding member of ‘GWAR‘ and the man behind the band’s Sexecutioner character, has died following a battle with cancer. He was 68. ‘GWAR’ bassist ‘Casey Orr’ (Beefcake the Mighty) announced the news on September 25, writing that ‘Varga’ passed peacefully with his beloved wife Bambi holding his hand.
‘Orr’ paid tribute with characteristic warmth:
“Chuck Varga has left this earthly realm. He was one of a kind. As an artist, as a performer; as a scholar and a gentleman. Raise your glass and tell his tales. Legends never die. Hail Varga! Hail Sexecutioner!”
‘Varga’s’ place in ‘GWAR’ history began before the band even existed. While studying at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, he met ‘Hunter Jackson’, and the two co-founded the Slave Pit, a production space for student films whose creative community eventually gave rise to ‘GWAR’. As a core Slave Pit artist, ‘Varga’ helped design the band’s costumes and artwork, including ‘Dave Brockie’s’ Oderus Urungus getup. Onstage, he became the Sexecutioner, singing lead on the character’s namesake track and on “RagNaRok,” the title cut from 1995’s “Ragnarok.”
In 1997 he moved to New York City to work in film, TV and Broadway, but kept making occasional ‘GWAR’ appearances for years. In 2017 he founded the costume and set design company Hyperreal Productions.
‘Varga’s’ cancer diagnosis became public in April. In June, ‘GWAR’ launched a fundraiser to cover his treatment, hospice care and living costs while Bambi cared for him full-time. At the time, bandmate ‘Bob Gorman’ (Bonesnapper) said:
“The influence of his illustrations, character designs, performances, and artistic vision can still be felt throughout GWAR today. His legacy will remain with us forever.”
‘Orr’ noted that ‘Varga’ was most likely being welcomed into Valhalla by late bandmates ‘Dave Brockie’ (Oderus Urungus) and guitarist ‘Cory Smoot’.
All Metal extends its deepest condolences to ‘Chuck Varga’s’ family, friends, and bandmates.
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