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Gainesville's Scrooge, Rusty Salling, Dies from Cancer at 67

Rusty Salling gives an "ahhh humbug." Salling played Scrooge in the Hippodrome State Theatre's annual show, "A Christmas Carol." (Donna Green-Townsend/WUFT News)
Rusty Salling gives an "ahhh humbug." Salling played Scrooge in the Hippodrome State Theatre's annual show, "A Christmas Carol." (Donna Green-Townsend/WUFT News)

Well-known local actor Rusty Salling died this weekend after a 14-month battle with cancer.

The Hippodrome State Theater made the announcement:

Salling was best known for his role as Scrooge in the theater's annual performance of "A Christmas Carol." In particular, his drawn-out voicing of "bahhhh, humbug" was a fan favorite.

He spoke with WUFT's Donna Green-Townsend in 2010 and again in 2012 about how much he enjoyed the role.

Salling was 67. Here is his obituary.

Ethan is the Interim Director of the Innovation News Center, home to WUFT News. He is a Pennsylvania native who found a home helping to tell Florida's stories. Reach him by emailing emagoc@wuft.org or calling 352-294-1525.

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