Mark Sheehan, Guitarist for The Script, Dead at 46

Mark Sheehan, the co-founder, and guitarist for the Irish rock band The Script, has died at the age of 46.

His death was confirmed in a tweet from The Script on Friday (April 14), who shared that Sheehan had passed from an undisclosed illness and had recently been hospitalized.

“Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness,” the band writes. “The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.”

Fan tributes for the musician started pouring in on the comment section of the tweet.

“I’m so sorry for your loss…sending you all and Mark’s friends and family lots of love,” wrote indie rock band Ships Have Sailed.

“I always want to listen to ‘If You Could See Me Now’ whenever I have The Script on my playlist,” says rapper and songwriter daYvo. “RIP Mark. You will always be remembered.”

“I’m lost for words !!” shares another fan. “He will be missed and won’t be forgotten.”

Sheehan was born on October 29, 1976, in Dublin, Ireland. Prior to forming The Script, he was a founding member of the Irish boy band Mytown. They released their self-titled debut studio album, and the only album of their career, via Universal Music Group in 2000. Sheehan was credited as a songwriter on nearly all of the 13 songs, including singles “Body Bumpin’” and “Party All Night.” The band broke up when Sheehan and Mytown bandmate Danny O’Donoghue left to co-found The Script in 2001 alongside Glen Power.

As part of The Script, Sheehan played guitar on six studio albums, all of which hit No. 1 in their native country. Two of their albums reached the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S., with Science & Faith hitting No. 3 in 2010 and No Sound Without Silence peaking at No. 10 in 2014. Among their hit singles are “Breakeven,” “For the First Time” and “Hall of Fame” featuring will.i.am.

According to The Independent, O’Donoghue said that Sheehan had to take a leave of absence from the band in 2022 during the U.S. portion of their Greatest Hits Tour to focus on his family.

“It’s his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband,” O’Donoghue is quoted as saying at the time.

Sheehan is survived by his wife Reena Sheehan and three children, Cameron, Avery, and Lil.

Photo by Venla Shalin/Redferns