John Kirby, brother of Bruno Kirby and son of Bruce Kirby, dies at 75
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John Kirby, a Hollywood acting coach and the brother of actor Bruno Kirby, has died at the age of 75. He passed away on the morning of Wednesday 15 July, three years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurological disease. His death was confirmed by longtime associate Nathan Besbitt in a statement posted on Kirby's Instagram account.
Kirby, the son of actor Bruce Kirby, was diagnosed with ALS on 7 July 2023 after a fall left him with a fractured hip and prompted medical tests. He built a long career coaching actors, most notably working extensively with Jim Caviezel on films including Frequency, Pay It Forward and The Count of Monte Cristo, and also contributed to productions such as Peter Pan, The Chronicles of Narnia and Scream 4. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday 15 August at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills, and a GoFundMe page has been set up for donations.
- Acting coach John Kirby has died aged 75 after an ALS battle
- He coached Jim Caviezel across several major films
- Memorial service set for 15 August at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills
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John Kirby came from an acting family: his father, Bruce Kirby, was a familiar screen actor, while his brother Bruno Kirby appeared in films including When Harry Met Sally… and City Slickers. John Kirby worked mainly behind the scenes as an acting coach, helping performers prepare roles for film and television.
An acting coach may work with an actor on character, dialogue, confidence and the practical demands of a part. Kirby was particularly associated with actor Jim Caviezel, and his work also connected him with several major Hollywood productions.
ALS, also known as motor neurone disease, is a condition that gradually damages the nerve cells controlling movement. It can affect walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing, and there is currently no cure.
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Originally published by Deadline as “John Kirby Dies: Acting Coach, Bruno Kirby’s Brother & Bruce Kirby’s Son Was 75”.