John Kirby, a longtime acting coach and the son of actor Bruce Kirby, passed away on Wednesday after a three-year struggle with ALS. He was 75 years old.
His longtime assistant and caregiver Nathan Nesbitt confirmed his death to The Times on Monday.
According to his obituary, Nesbitt said you couldn’t watch TV or a movie without seeing someone John coached, guided, or inspired. He left a mark on everyone in the industry, and his influence went beyond just the actors – it was a fundamental part of Hollywood itself.
I’ve always been so impressed with how much actors respected Paul Kirby! They even called him “Actor’s Guardian Angel,” which really says it all. He believed in creating a truly safe environment where performers felt comfortable taking risks and exploring their roles without any fear. It’s incredible to think that stars like Jeff Bridges, Jim Caviezel, Cameron Diaz, Morris Chestnut, Hilary Duff, and Chrissy Metz all benefited from his approach – protecting the artist was his priority.
He collaborated with Jim Caviezel on many films, including “The Thin Red Line” (1998), “Angel Eyes” (2001), “The Count of Monte Cristo” (2002), “High Crimes” (2002), “I Am David” (2003), and Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” (2004).
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Brenda Fricker, the acclaimed actress who won an Oscar and was known for her role as the Pigeon Lady in ‘Home Alone 2’, passed away Thursday at the age of 81. She made history as the first Irish woman to receive an Academy Award.
Kirby started teaching through recommendations and also gained experience working on films like “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005), “Stick It” (2006), “Underdog” (2007), and “Prom” (2011).
Paul Kirby grew up in a family known for acting. His father, Bruce Kirby, was a familiar face on television as Sergeant George Kramer in the popular series “Columbo.” Kirby’s brother, Bruno Kirby, also had success in movies, appearing in films like “Good Morning, Vietnam,” “When Harry Met Sally,” and “City Slickers.”
Kirby first experienced symptoms of ALS in June 2022. He received a diagnosis in July 2023 after a fall resulted in a broken hip and surgery. Doctors estimated he had about six months to live.
Actress Chrissy Metz shared a heartfelt message on Instagram honoring her friend and coach, Kirby. They worked together during her time on the TV show “This Is Us,” the movie “Breakthrough,” and continued their collaboration even as he fought ALS.
I was really moved by this post – it’s clear this person feels immense gratitude towards someone who clearly had a huge impact on their life. The caption speaks volumes about unwavering faith and an almost uncanny understanding between them. What struck me most wasn’t just the appreciation, but how they highlighted this person’s strength and generosity even while going through tough times. It paints a picture of a truly inspiring teacher who fostered connection, and someone whose influence will last long after this photo was taken.
A celebration of his life will take place on August 17th at 1 p.m. at the Hall of Liberty in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.
2026-07-21 23:31