Disney child star Tommy Kirk was found dead in his home, according to reports. He was 79.
The actor was known for his role as Travis Coates in the 1957 film, “Old Yeller.”
A neighbor found his body at his home in Las Vegas on Tuesday around 8 p.m., according to TMZ. No foul play was expected at the time of discovery.
The iconic actor starred in the film alongside silver screen legends like Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker and Kevin Corcoran.
“Old Yeller” followed the story of a teenage boy who begins to love a stray dog as he helps his family run their Texas home.
Kirk also lent his talents in Disney classics such as “The Shaggy Dog,” “Swiss Family Robinson” and “The Misadventures of Merlin Jones.”
He began his career as a child actor and was discovered in 1954 at the age of 13.
The Kentucky native was reportedly fired from Disney when he was 21 after allegations of homosexuality hit the news in 1964.
“When I was about 17 or 18 years old, I finally admitted to myself that I wasn’t going to change,” he said during a 1993 interview for Filmfax magazine, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I didn’t know what the consequences would be, but I had the definite feeling that it was going to wreck my Disney career and maybe my whole acting career. It was all going to come to an end.”
“Eventually, I became involved with somebody and I was fired,” he continued.
Kirk was given the honor of being a Disney Legend in 2006, but revealed at the time that he was done with movies.
“Finally, I said to hell with the whole thing, to hell with show business. I’m gonna make a new life for myself, and I got off drugs, completely kicked all that stuff. I went out and started my own business. I’ve done it for years and I live well. I have a nice business, a nice pension, and friends,” he said.
“I want to be remembered for my Disney work, like ‘Swiss Family Robinson’ and ‘Old Yeller,’” he continued.
He also recalled he once saw Walt Disney at a Beverly Hills hotel. “He was with Hedda Hopper, the legendary [gossip] columnist. He put his arm around me, and he said, ‘This is my good-luck piece here,’ to Hedda Hopper. I never forgot that. That’s the nicest compliment he ever gave me.”
This post first appeared on Nypost.com
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