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The actor and acting coach, who worked with everyone from Cameron Diaz to Chrissy Metz, passed away from the disease three years after diagnosis
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Key Takeaways
- John Kirby was a renowned acting coach who mentored stars like Jeff Bridges, Cameron Diaz, and Chrissy Metz
- His career spanned over five decades, with credits on films like The Chronicles of Narnia and Scream 4
- Despite an ALS diagnosis, Kirby lived three years longer than expected, inspiring resilience in those he guided
Acting coach John Kirby, who was the son of late Columbo actor Bruce Kirby and the brother of late When Harry Met Sally actor Bruno Kirby, has died from ALS at age 75.
According to an obituary sent by John’s longtime assistant and ALS caregiver Nathan Nesbitt, John was known throughout the film industry as “An Actor’s Guardian Angel —a gifted mentor whose insight, compassion and extraordinary understanding of the human experience helped shape generations of performers.”
John coached some of the entertainment industry’s most acclaimed and recognizable performers, including Jeff Bridges, Jim Caviezel, Cameron Diaz, Chrissy Metz, Morris Chestnut, Judith Light, Renée Taylor, Jordin Sparks, Hillary Duff, Jeremy Sumpter, Lewis Tan, Frank Capra, Jessica Marie Garcia, Alyson Stoner and Chicago Fire star Kara Killmer.
The statement continued, “What began as a natural gift for helping others evolved into an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades. John became one of Hollywood’s most respected and sought-after acting coaches, earning the admiration and trust of actors, agents, managers and casting directors alike. In the industry, simply having ‘Coached by John Kirby’ on an actor’s résumé carried tremendous credibility. It signified a level of preparation, authenticity and artistry that John instilled in every performer he guided.”
For Walt Disney Pictures, his credits included The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Stick It, Underdog and Prom. He also coached on Universal Pictures’ Peter Pan and Dimension Films’ Scream 4.
John worked closely with Chrissy Metz on the inspirational feature film Breakthrough and the hit NBC prime-time series This Is Us.
His extensive work with Jim Caviezel spanned numerous celebrated productions, including The Count of Monte Cristo, The Thin Red Line, Déjà Vu, High Crimes, I Am David, Outlander, and The Passion of the Christ.
Of his work, Nesbitt said, “I can’t turn on a television or watch a film without recognizing someone John coached, mentored or influenced. His fingerprints are everywhere in this industry. His impact extends far beyond the performances we see on screen—it’s woven into the very fabric of Hollywood.”
Although John was given a prognosis of only six months to live after his ALS diagnosis, the obituary noted John refused to allow that prediction to define him.
“With extraordinary courage, unwavering determination and an indomitable will to live, John faced ALS with remarkable resilience,” the obituary stated. “He defied expectations, living for more than three years after the onset of his illness. His journey was a testament to the same strength, perseverance and depth of spirit that he had spent a lifetime inspiring in others.”
It continued, “John Kirby’s influence reaches far beyond the performances audiences see on screen. It lives in the actors who discovered their voices under his guidance, the artists who found confidence because he believed in them and the countless careers strengthened by his wisdom and generosity.”
A celebration of life honoring John has been announced for August 15, at 1 p.m. at the Hall of Liberty, Forest Lawn, Hollywood.
Read the original article on People
