Tommy Kirk
Acting
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.
Born: December 10, 1941 · Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Filmography (33)
The Wrecking Crew
2008
Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold
1995
Streets of Death
1988
The Streets of San Francisco
1972
It's Alive
1969
Mars Needs Women
1968
Blood of Ghastly Horror
1967
Catalina Caper
1967
It's a Bikini World
1967
The Unkissed Bride
1966
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini
1966
Village of the Giants
1965
The Monkey's Uncle
1965
Pajama Party
1964
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones
1964
Mr. Novak
1963
Savage Sam
1963
Son of Flubber
1963
Escapade in Florence
1962
Bon Voyage!
1962
Moon Pilot
1962
Babes in Toyland
1961
The Absent-Minded Professor
1961
Swiss Family Robinson
1960
The Shaggy Dog
1959
Old Yeller
1957
Matinee Theater
1955
The Mickey Mouse Club
1955
Frontier
1955
Gunsmoke
1955
The Millionaire
1955
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
Letter to Loretta
1953