Tommy Kirk
Actor
Biography
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
as Travis Coates 1957
The Absent-Minded Professor
as Biff Hawk 1961
Babes in Toyland
as Grumio 1961
The Shaggy Dog
as Wilby Daniels 1959
The Wrecking Crew
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) 2008
Son of Flubber
as Biff Hawk 1963
Village of the Giants
as Mike 1965
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini
as Chuck Phillips 1966
Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold
as Passenger 1995
Catalina Caper
as Don Pringle 1967
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones
as Merlin Jones 1964
The Monkey's Uncle
as Merlin Jones 1965
Savage Sam
as Travis Coates 1963
Pajama Party
as Go Go 1964
Mars Needs Women
as Dop - Martian Fellow #1 / Mr. Fast - Seattle Sun Reporter 1968
Bon Voyage!
as Elliott Willard 1962