“Old Yeller” star celebrity-news” target=”_blank”>Tommy Kirk<” co-star Beverly Washburn confirmed the actor passed away “peacefully” at his home in Las Vegas on Tuesday night.
“He was so loved,” Washburn told Fox News in a statement. “Anybody who has ever met Tommy can attest to the fact that he was so fan-friendly.”
Kirk’s long-time friend Paul Peterson shared a tribute to the actor on Facebook. Peterson also pointed out Kirk’s love for his fans.
‘50s CHILD STAR BEVERLY WASHBURN RECALLS FILMING DISNEY’S ‘OLD YELLER’: ‘IT DESTROYED’ GROWN MEN
“Please know that Tommy Kirk loved you, his fans,” Peterson wrote. “You lifted him up when an Industry let him down in 1965.”
American child actor Tommy Kirk as Travis Coates in the film ‘Old Yeller’, 1957.
(Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Kirk had acting success, but got his big break after being cast as Travis Coates in “Old Yeller.” The actor went on to star as Disney’s go-to All-American teenager in a handful of movies” target=”_blank”>movies<
Kirk would be officially retired from acting by 2006.
Washburn, who also resides in Las Vegas, and Kirk were set to participate in an upcoming “Old Yeller” reunion.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The ’50s child star used one word to describe Kirk: “Kind.”
