Rene Kirby, an actor and gymnast best known for his role in Shallow Hal, has died. He was 70.
His brother Jon Kirby confirmed the news to local Vermont publication Seven Days, revealing his sibling, who was born with spina bifida, had esophagus, kidney and bladder issues.
Rene died on July 11 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, per the outlet, with Jon revealing that his brother had been hospitalized for two months with the above issues as well as infections.
Remembering Rene, Jon — who lived two houses down from his brother, in Burlington, Vermont — told Seven Days, “He just showed me that there’s no limitations on what anyone can do.”
One quote he will always remember from Rene? ” ‘You don’t have to stand up to stand out, ” said Jon, who is the youngest of seven siblings, while Rene was the second-born.
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20th Century Fox
Rene Kirby in Shallow Hal (2001)
Rene was born to Don and Janet Kirby in Burlington, and according to Seven Days, was often seen riding his three-wheeled bike around town up until fall 2024.
He made waves as Walt in the 2001 comedy Shallow Hal, opposite Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow, where he had scenes with Black, 55, and Jason Alexander.
Two years later, Rene appeared as Phil Rupp in another Farrelly brothers movie: Stuck on You, which starred Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear. His final screen role was in a 2005 episode of Carnivàle.
Aside from his film and TV roles and past in gymnastics (the latter of which earned him state titles in high school, according to Seven Days), Rene was also a swimmer, skier and carpenter, and worked for IBM for two decades, his brother Jon told the outlet.
Rene and Jon’s sister, Cheryl St. Amour, told Seven Days that Rene had beaten throat cancer, but his larynx had been removed as part of the treatment, so he lost his ability to talk a few years ago.
He is predeceased by his father and survived by his mother and six siblings, per Seven Days.
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