I had no idea that Tommy Kirk died this past year (September). There aren’t many movies that had a bigger impact on a young boy who loves dogs, than Old Yeller. The Shaggy Dog, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Hardy Boys on the tv program are other hits he had as a young boy. He had a serious drug problem and came out gay long before it was socially acceptable (even in Hollywood), and it, along with the drugs, hurt his film career. I heard one time that he owned a clothing store, or something, in Georgetown, Colorado, but I never tried to confirm that. Hope he rests easy.

This picture is from Old Yeller

I'm embarrassed that I didn't even know his name, someone who was such a big part of my childhood like you said.

I noted it, but didn't post. The news was sad and depressing to me; enjoyed him in the Disney reels with Annette, and some of the cheesy American International bikini movies.

In the early 1960s, he was Disney's biggest box office star. When he came out, circa 1965, Disney dropped him unceremoniously. Yes, he did persist in some AIP movies, but his alcohol and drug habits led him to drop out of the entertainment industry.

To his credit Mr. Kirk did acknowledge that much of misfortune was his own fault. Had he been more reliable he may have been able to go on and work in television and be cast against type as a villain as Jack Cassidy was before his untimely demise.

Later Tommy Kirk re-connected with the Disney fan clubs in nostalgia conventions and received some much deserved accolades. I still like to watch Merlin Jones, although, yes, it is outdated now in many ways.