Tommy Kirk
Biography
Thomas Lee Kirk was an American actor born on December 10, 1941, in Louisville, Kentucky, and he died on September 28, 2021, at the age of 79. He is best known for his performances in films produced by Walt Disney Studios, including Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent-Minded Professor, and The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, alongside appearances in mid-1960s beach party films. In his film work, he frequently portrayed a love interest for Annette Funicello or was cast as part of a family featuring Fred MacMurray as his father and Kevin Corcoran as his younger brother. His career with Disney concluded when news of his homosexuality threatened to become public, and he later appeared in a series of low-budget films.
Career overview
Thomas Lee Kirk was an American actor born in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 10, 1941, who died on September 28, 2021, at the age of 79. He is best known for his performances in films produced by Walt Disney Studios, including Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent-Minded Professor, and The Misadventures of Merlin Jones, as well as appearing in beach party films during the mid-1960s. During his work with Disney, he frequently appeared as a love interest for Annette Funicello or as part of a family alongside Fred MacMurray as his father and Kevin Corcoran as his younger brother. His credits also include appearances in The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure, The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Ghost Farm, and Disneyland.
Kirk's career with Disney came to an end when news of his homosexuality threatened to become public. Following this period, he struggled with drug addiction and depression for several years and appeared in a series of low-budget films. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 55 known acting credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
59 titles- The Wrecking Crew (2008) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Age of Believing: The Disney Live Action Classics (2008) as Self
- The Shaggy Dog Kids (2006) as Self
- Fred MacMurray: With Fondness (2006) as Self
- 'Old Yeller': Remembering a Classic (2002) as Self
- Swiss Family Robinson: Adventure in the Making (2002) as Self (archive)
- The Education of a Vampire (2001) as Albert Kornfield
- Club Dead (2000) as Private Detective
- Billy Frankenstein (1998) as Blind Monk
- Little Miss Magic (1997) as Mr. Kenner
- Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold (1995) as Passenger
- Streets of Death (1988) as Frank Phillips
- Disney's Greatest Dog Stars (1976) as Wilby Daniels (uncredited)
- The Streets of San Francisco (1972) as Roland Claridge
- Ride the Hot Wind (1971) as Captain Gregory Shank
- It's Alive (1969) as Wayne Thomas
- Mars Needs Women (1968) as Dop - Martian Fellow #1 / Mr. Fast - Seattle Sun Reporter
- Track Of Thunder (1968) as Bobby Goodwin
- Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967) as Lt. Cross
- It's a Bikini World (1967) as Mike / Herbert Samson
- Catalina Caper (1967) as Don Pringle
- The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) as Chuck Phillips
- The Unkissed Bride (1966) as Ted
- Village of the Giants (1965) as Mike
- The Monkey's Uncle (1965) as Merlin Jones
- The Wild Weird World of Dr. Goldfoot (1965) as Malcolm Andrews
- Pajama Party (1964) as Go Go
- The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964) as Merlin Jones
- Mr. Novak (1963) as Tod Seaton
- Son of Flubber (1963) as Biff Hawk
- Savage Sam (1963) as Travis Coates
- Moon Pilot (1962) as Walter Talbot
- Bon Voyage! (1962) as Elliott Willard
- Escapade in Florence (1962) as Tommy Carpenter
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1961)
- The Horsemasters (1961) as Danny Grant
- The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) as Biff Hawk
- Babes in Toyland (1961) as Grumio
- Backstage Party (1961) as Self
- Swiss Family Robinson (1960) as Ernst
- Escape to Paradise/Water Birds (1960)
- The Shaggy Dog (1959) as Wilby Daniels
- Disneyland '59 (1959) as Self
- Old Yeller (1957) as Travis Coates
- Down Liberty Road (1957) as Jimmy Rollins
- The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Ghost Farm (1957) as Joe Hardy
- The Hardy Boys (1956) as Joe Hardy
- The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure (1956) as Joe Hardy
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Jerry Pitcher
- The Millionaire (1955) as Tom Morrison
- The Mickey Mouse Club (1955) as Self
- Frontier (1955)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Biff Hawk (archive footage)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Danny Grant
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Wilby Daniels
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Alvin Simms
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Mark Seaton
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Tommy Kirk best known for?
Tommy Kirk is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Wrecking Crew (2008), Even Stevens (2000), The Streets of San Francisco (1972), The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966).
When and where was Tommy Kirk born?
Tommy Kirk was born on December 10, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. They passed away on September 28, 2021.
How many credits does Tommy Kirk have?
Tommy Kirk has accumulated over 59 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1953 to 2008.
What is Tommy Kirk's background in cinema and television?
Thomas Lee Kirk was an American actor born on December 10, 1941, in Louisville, Kentucky, and he died on September 28, 2021, at the age of 79. He is best known for his performances in films produced by Walt Disney Studios, including Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, The Absent-Minded Professor, and The...
Tommy Kirk by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Hardy Boys (1956) as Joe Hardy — aged about 14
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Biff Hawk (archive footage) — aged about 12
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Danny Grant — aged about 12
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Self — aged about 12
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Wilby Daniels — aged about 12
- The Wrecking Crew (2008) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) — aged about 66
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