
Tommy Kirk
Actor
Born: December 10, 1941 (79 years old)
Died: September 28, 2021
Place of birth: Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Biography
Thomas Lee Kirk (December 10, 1941 − September 28, 2021) was an American actor, best known for his performances in films made by Walt Disney Studios such as Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent-Minded Professor, and The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, as well as the beach party films of the mid-1960s. He frequently appeared as a love interest for Annette Funicello or as part of a family with Kevin Corcoran as his younger brother and Fred MacMurray as his father. Kirk's career with Disney ended when news of his homosexuality threatened to become public. He struggled with drug addiction and depression for several years, appearing in a series of low-budget films before leaving the acting business in the mid-1970s. Kirk opened a carpet cleaning business and lived a mostly ordinary life, occasionally appearing at fan conventions. He died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2021, aged 79.
Filmography (31)
- Old Yeller (1957, ★ 6.9)
- The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964, ★ 6.5)
- Swiss Family Robinson (1960, ★ 6.9)
- The Absent-Minded Professor (1961, ★ 6.5)
- The Wrecking Crew (2008, ★ 7.3)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954, ★ 7.8)
- The Shaggy Dog (1959, ★ 6.2)
- Escapade in Florence (1962, ★ 6.7)
- The Mickey Mouse Club (1955, ★ 6.3)
- Gunsmoke (1955, ★ 6.7)
- Letter to Loretta (1953, ★ 6.5)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972, ★ 7)
- Babes in Toyland (1961, ★ 5.8)
- Moon Pilot (1962, ★ 5.4)
- Savage Sam (1963, ★ 5.1)
- The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966, ★ 5)
- Bon Voyage! (1962, ★ 5.5)
- The Monkey's Uncle (1965, ★ 5.7)
- Son of Flubber (1963, ★ 6)
- Mars Needs Women (1968, ★ 3.8)
- Pajama Party (1964, ★ 4.7)
- Matinee Theater (1955, ★ 5)
- Village of the Giants (1965, ★ 3.5)
- It's a Bikini World (1967, ★ 3.4)
- It's Alive (1969, ★ 3.5)
- Catalina Caper (1967, ★ 2.2)
- Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967, ★ 2.9)
- The Unkissed Bride (1966, ★ 3)
- Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold (1995, ★ 3.8)
- Streets of Death (1988, ★ 3.2)