# John Kirby, brother of Bruno Kirby and son of Bruce Kirby, dies at 75

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/john-kirby-dies-acting-coach-bruno-kirbys-brother-bruce-kirbys-son-was-75/
- Published: 2026-07-18T15:32:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-18T22:12:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/07/john-kirby-dead-acting-coach-bruno-kirby-brother-bruce-kirby-son-1236997429/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- 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

## Summary

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.

## Coverage

- [Deadline: John Kirby, brother of Bruno Kirby and son of Bruce Kirby, dies at 75](https://deadline.com/2026/07/john-kirby-dead-acting-coach-bruno-kirby-brother-bruce-kirby-son-1236997429/)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: John Kirby, Acting Coach and Son to Actor Bruce Kirby, Dies at 75](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/john-kirby-daead-acting-coach-1236651456/)

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