John Kirby, acting coach and brother of Bruno Kirby, dies at 75
John Kirby, whose acting-coach credits included years of work with Jim Caviezel, died after an ALS diagnosis, his associate said.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
John Kirby, an actor and acting coach with credits across film and television, has died at 75, according to a social media announcement shared on his Instagram account.
Longtime associate Nathan Besbitt said in the post that Kirby died in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 15. Besbitt wrote that the news was being shared “with a broken heart” and said Kirby’s loved ones were trying to cope with the loss.
Deadline reported that Kirby had been diagnosed with ALS on July 7, 2023, after he had started feeling symptoms about a year earlier. According to the report, medical testing that led to the diagnosis followed a fall and fractured hip the previous month.
Kirby was also part of a Hollywood family. He was the brother of Bruno Kirby, the actor known for City Slickers, and the son of actor Bruce Kirby.
A long run behind the scenes
Kirby built a lengthy career as an acting coach, including a years-long working relationship with Jim Caviezel, Deadline reported. Their collaboration began on the 2000 film Frequency.
Kirby later served as Caviezel’s acting coach on a run of films that included Pay It Forward in 2000, Angel Eyes in 2001, The Count of Monte Cristo in 2002, High Crimes in 2002, I Am David in 2003, The Final Cut in 2004, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius in 2004 and Unknown in 2006.
His acting-coach work extended beyond those Caviezel projects. Deadline listed additional film credits including Peter Pan in 2003, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, Underdog in 2007, Outlander in 2008, Hotel California in 2008, Scream 4 in 2011, Prom in 2011 and The Age of Adaline in 2015.
The announcement of Kirby’s death came three years after his ALS diagnosis. ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, was the illness identified in the report as the condition he had been living with before his death.
Memorial planned in Hollywood Hills
A memorial service for Kirby has been scheduled for Saturday, August 15, at 1 p.m. at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, according to Deadline.
A GoFundMe page has also been created for people who want to contribute, the report said.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.