Chuck Varga, the Man Behind GWAR's 'Sexecutioner', Dies at 68

GWAR founding member Chuck Varga, best known for bringing the band's notorious Sexecutioner character to life, has died aged 68 following a battle with cancer.

Per Rolling Stone, his death was confirmed on Friday by longtime GWAR bassist Casey Orr, better known to fans as Beefcake the Mighty, who revealed that Varga had died peacefully with his wife, Bambi, by his side.

“Chuck Varga has left this earthly realm. He passed peacefully, his beloved wife Bambi holding his hand,” Orr wrote. “He was one of a kind. As an artist, as a performer; as a scholar and a gentleman. I’m better for having known him and the world is lesser for his leaving.

"He is most likely being welcomed into Valhalla right now by Brockie and Smooty and all who went before. Raise your glass and tell his tales. Legends never die. Hail Varga! Hail Sexicutioner!”

Varga played a major role in establishing GWAR's distinctive visual identity, helping create the elaborate costumes, grotesque characters and outrageous stage productions that became synonymous with the American metal band.

Although he wasn't among GWAR's original musicians, Varga was a founding member of the band's creative collective, Slave Pit Inc., which was responsible for much of its artwork, costumes and overall aesthetic.

He also helped design frontman Dave Brockie's Oderus Urungus costume before taking on his own onstage persona, the Sexecutioner, in the band's early years. Varga portrayed the character for more than a decade as a full-time member and contributed lead vocals to tracks including "Sexecutioner" and "RagNaRok", the title track from GWAR's 1995 album.

While he stepped away from the band as a full-time member in 1997 to pursue work in film, television and Broadway, Varga continued to make occasional appearances with GWAR and remained involved in its creative direction.

Earlier this year, the band rallied around Varga following his cancer diagnosis, organising a blood donation campaign in April before launching a fundraiser in June to help cover his medical expenses and hospice care.
At the time, fellow GWAR artist Bob Gorman paid tribute to Varga's influence on the band and its wider creative universe.

“Chuck Varga’s contributions to the GWAR and Slave Pit collective are enormous. The influence of his illustrations, character designs, performances, and artistic vision can still be felt throughout GWAR today,” Gorman said.

“Chuck’s over-the-top underground art aesthetic helped define an entire universe and inspired generations of artists and fans around the world.”

Varga's death follows those of fellow GWAR members Cory Smoot, who portrayed Flattus Maximus and died in 2011, and founding frontman Dave Brockie, who died in 2014.

From Tone Deaf