Cheaper By The Dozen star Jimmy Hunt has tragically passed away aged 85, it’s been announced.
The former child actor who found fame in the original 1950 comedy, which was later remade in 2003 with Steve Martin, died in a Californian hospital on Friday, six weeks after suffering a heart attack his daughter-in-law told The Hollywood Reporter.
As well as playing son William and later Fred in the Cheaper By The Dozen sequel, Jimmy starred in a whopping 31 movies across his surprisingly short career, before retiring from acting at the tender age of 14.
His famous onscreen co-stars included the likes of Bing Crosby, Ronald Reagan, Claudette Colbert, Burt Lancaster and Barbara Stanwyck.
One of Jimmy’s most memorable roles was as David in 1953’s iconic Invaders from Mars and came out of retirement for the film’s 1986 remake in which he played the town’s Sheriff, who quips upon seeing the aliens: ‘I haven’t been here for 40 years’.
Cheaper By The Dozen star Jimmy Hunt has tragically passed away aged 85 it’s been announced (pictured February 2024)
The former child actor (pictured left) who found fame in the original 1950 comedy, died in a Californian hospital on Friday, six weeks after suffering a heart attack
Jimmy starred in a whopping 31 movies across his short career, before retiring from acting at the tender age of 14 (pictured, right in 1953’s Invaders From Mars)
Following the news of Jimmy’s death, devastated fans rushed to social media to pay their respects: ‘Watched Invaders from Mars just recently. A very sad day for the #horrorcommunity, #scifi and #classicmovies. Rest in peace Jimmy Hunt’.
‘ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL Jimmy Hunt (Invaders from Mars, Cheaper by the Dozen, Sorry Wrong Number, Pitfall, etc) has died at the age of 85, according to posts by family members and friends. Sad news. RIP’.
Jimmy left the acting profession in his teens before going on to serve in the army and then worked in sales for an industrial tool and supply company.
He once told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I decided that I would rather play sports in high school than make movies, so I retired’.
Jimmy also revealed in 2022 that the remake of Invaders from Mars is the only movie from his career from which he receives royalties.
He told the Film Threat with a giggle: ‘Every once and a while, the Screen Actors Guild sends me a check for like nine dollars’.
During a TV appearance in 2017 the actor also recalled how he broke his arm while filming 1951’s Week-End with Father. but continued filming regardless.
‘No one made me finish the picture that way. I wanted to, I considered myself a professional. In other words, I never had any really bad times as a boy actor’.
One of his most memorable roles was as David in 1953’s iconic Invaders from Mars (pictured) and he even came out of retirement to appear in the film’s 1986 remake
Pictured as the Sheriff in the 1986 remake of Invaders from Mars, who quips upon seeing the aliens : ‘I haven’t been here for 40 years’
Jimmy (pictured 1949) left the acting profession in his teens before going on to serve in the army and then worked in sales for an industrial tool and supply company
His famous onscreen co-stars included the likes of Bing Crosby, Ronald Reagan, Claudette Colbert, Burt Lancaster and Barbara Stanwyck
Following the news of Jimmy’s death, devastated fans rushed to social media to pay their respects
Cheaper By the Dozen was remade in 2003 leading the cast, followed by a sequel
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Roswitha, sons Ron and Randy as well as nine children and six great-grandchildren.
It comes following the death of fellow child star and The Cosby Show alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner has tragically passed away at the age of 54.
The actor died in Costa Rica on Sunday after drowning while swimming off the coast, according to local authorities who spoke with ABC News.
The Costa Rican National Police reported that Warner’s body was discovered near Cocles, a beach in the Limon province.
He was reportedly caught by a strong current, and his official cause of death has been listed as asphyxia.
Daily Mail has reached out to Warner’s representatives for comment, but they have not yet responded.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, experts note that some beaches in Costa Rica can pose serious risks depending on conditions.
Though many areas are safe for swimming, others are known for powerful currents and rip tides that demand caution.
Warner was best known for his iconic role as Theodore Huxtable, the only son of Cliff Huxtable, on the beloved NBC sitcom The Cosby Show. He appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992, earning widespread acclaim and becoming a household name.
According to WedMD, Asphyxia ‘happens when your body doesn’t get enough oxygen to keep you from passing.’
It comes following the death of fellow child star and The Cosby Show alum Malcolm-Jamal Warner has tragically passed away at the age of 54 (seen in 1899)
The actor, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the beloved NBC sitcom, appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992
Breathing impairment, due to water inhalation, can cause the condition, which can result in unconsciousness or death.
Although it is unknown what caused him to drown, the waters in Costa Rica can be dangerous, depending on the specific beach and conditions.
While many beaches offer safe swimming, some have strong currents and rip tides that require caution.
The actor, best known for his role as Theodore Huxtable on the beloved NBC sitcom, appeared in all eight seasons from 1984 to 1992.
At the time, Warner was just a teenager, but his performance earned widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 1986 Primetime Emmy Awards.