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.
Movies & TV Shows
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Swiss Family Robinson (1960) — Ernst
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Old Yeller (1957) — Travis Coates
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The Absent-Minded Professor (1961) — Biff Hawk
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Gunsmoke (1955) — Jerry Pitcher
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Babes in Toyland (1961) — Grumio
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The Streets of San Francisco (1972) — Roland Claridge
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The Shaggy Dog (1959) — Wilby Daniels
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The Wrecking Crew (2008) — Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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Son of Flubber (1963) — Biff Hawk
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Village of the Giants (1965) — Mike
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The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) — Biff Hawk (archive footage)
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The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) — Chuck Phillips
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Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold (1995) — Passenger
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Savage Sam (1963) — Travis Coates
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Catalina Caper (1967) — Don Pringle
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The Misadventures of Merlin Jones (1964) — Merlin Jones
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The Monkey's Uncle (1965) — Merlin Jones
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Pajama Party (1964) — Go Go
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Bon Voyage! (1962) — Elliott Willard
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Mars Needs Women (1968) — Dop - Martian Fellow #1 / Mr. Fast - Seattle Sun Reporter
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Moon Pilot (1962) — Walter Talbot
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Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967) — Lt. Cross
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It's Alive (1969) — Wayne Thomas
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The Mickey Mouse Club (1955) — Self
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It's a Bikini World (1967) — Mike / Herbert Samson
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The Unkissed Bride (1966) — Ted
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Streets of Death (1988) — Frank Phillips
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Matinee Theater (1955)
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Letter to Loretta (1953) — Alvin Simms
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Escapade in Florence (1962) — Tommy Carpenter
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Ride the Hot Wind (1971) — Captain Gregory Shank
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Billy Frankenstein (1998) — Blind Monk
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Track Of Thunder (1968) — Bobby Goodwin
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The Millionaire (1955) — Tom Morrison
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The Hardy Boys (1956) — Joe Hardy
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Little Miss Magic (1997) — Mr. Kenner
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The Horsemasters (1961) — Danny Grant
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Disneyland '59 (1959) — Self
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Mr. Novak (1963) — Tod Seaton
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The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure (1956) — Joe Hardy