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Tommy Kirk

Actor

Tommy Kirk

Born December 10, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky, USADied September 28, 202135 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into Tommy Kirk's work
Old Yeller posterFirst watchOld Yeller19576.9as Travis CoatesYoung Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860s.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Swiss Family Robinson poster6.8Swiss Family Robinson1960The Absent-Minded Professor poster6.5The Absent-Minded Professor1961The Shaggy Dog poster6.2The Shaggy Dog1959Babes in Toyland poster5.9Babes in Toyland1961Son of Flubber poster6.1Son of Flubber1963

Filmography

35 films as actor
  1. 2001The Education of a VampireAlbert Kornfield
  2. 2000Club DeadPrivate Detective
  3. 1998Billy FrankensteinBlind Monk
  4. 1997Little Miss MagicMr. Kenner
  5. 1995Attack of the 60 Foot CenterfoldPassenger
  6. 1988Streets of DeathFrank Phillips
  7. 1976Disney's Greatest Dog StarsWilby Daniels (uncredited)
  8. 1971Ride the Hot WindCaptain Gregory Shank
  9. 1969It's AliveWayne Thomas
  10. 1968Mars Needs WomenDop - Martian Fellow #1 / Mr. Fast - Seattle Sun Reporter
  11. 1968Track of ThunderBobby Goodwin
  12. 1967Blood of Ghastly HorrorLt. Cross
  13. 1967Catalina CaperDon Pringle
  14. 1967It's a Bikini WorldMike / Herbert Samson
  15. 1966The Unkissed BrideTed
  16. 1966The Ghost in the Invisible BikiniChuck Phillips
  17. 1965The Wild Weird World of Dr. GoldfootMalcolm Andrews
  18. 1965Village of the GiantsMike
  19. 1965The Monkey's UncleMerlin Jones
  20. 1964Pajama PartyGo Go
  21. 1964The Misadventures of Merlin JonesMerlin Jones
  22. 1963Savage SamTravis Coates
  23. 1963Son of FlubberBiff Hawk
  24. 1962Escapade in FlorenceTommy Carpenter
  25. 1962Bon Voyage!Elliott Willard
  26. 1962Moon PilotWalter Talbot
  27. 1961Babes in ToylandGrumio
  28. 1961The HorsemastersDanny Grant
  29. 1961The Absent-Minded ProfessorBiff Hawk
  30. 1960Swiss Family RobinsonErnst
  31. 1959The Shaggy DogWilby Daniels
  32. 1957Old YellerTravis Coates
  33. 1957The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Ghost FarmJoe Hardy
  34. 1957Down Liberty RoadJimmy Rollins
  35. 1956The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate TreasureJoe Hardy