Tommy Kirk
Known for 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.
Filmography
Old Yeller
1957
as Travis Coates
Swiss Family Robinson
1960
as Ernst
The Shaggy Dog
1959
as Wilby Daniels
The Absent-Minded Professor
1961
as Biff Hawk
Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold
1995
as Passenger
Bon Voyage!
1962
as Elliott Willard
Babes in Toyland
1961
as Grumio
Son of Flubber
1963
as Biff Hawk
Moon Pilot
1962
as Walter Talbot
Billy Frankenstein
1998
as Blind Monk
Disneyland '59
1959
as Self
Pajama Party
1964
as Go Go
The Wrecking Crew
2008
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Little Miss Magic
1997
as Mr. Kenner
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones
1964
as Merlin Jones
Blood of Ghastly Horror
1967
as Lt. Cross
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini
1966
as Chuck Phillips
Catalina Caper
1967
as Don Pringle
Savage Sam
1963
as Travis Coates
Village of the Giants
1965
as Mike