Stanley Benjamin Kirsch Jr. (July 15, 1968 – January 11, 2020) was an American actor, screenwriter, director, and acting coach.
Biography
Stanley Benjamin Kirsch Jr. was born in New York City, New York on July 15, 1968. He began acting as a young child. His first acting job was at the age of 4 when he appeared in some Campbell's Soup television commercials. Kirsch appeared in the short-lived Saturday morning TV series Riders in the Sky and on the soap opera General Hospital in 1992. He made guest appearances in some TV shows including JAG, Family Law, and Friends.
His most notable role began in 1992 on Highlander: The Series as Richie Ryan. He left the show as a regular cast member in the fifth-season finale in 1997, but he made one last guest appearance in the series finale episode, "Not To Be" which aired May 17, 1998.
Kirsch made his debut as director and producer with the film Straight Eye: The Movie in 2004. In 2008, he founded his own acting studio called Stan Kirsch Studios.
On January 11, 2020, 51-year-old Kirsch was found dead in his Los Angeles home. The LA Coroner ruled Kirsch's death a suicide by hanging.
Film
1998: Reason Thirteen (Short) as Michael
1999: Shark in a Bottle as Punk
2000: The Flunky as Sammy Bestone
2004: Shallow Ground as Stuart Dempsey
2004: Straight Eye: The Movie (Short, writer, director) as Sonny
2005: Deep Rescue as Kevin
Television
1991: Riders in the Sky as Axl (1991)
1992–1997: Highlander: The Series as Richie Ryan
1992: CBS Schoolbreak Special as Steve
1992: The Streets of Beverly Hills (TV movie) as Kenny Street
1995: Friends as young Ethan
1995: ABC Afterschool Special as Matt
1996–2001: JAG as Lieutenant Ferrari / Ensign Frank Cody
1996: Home Song (TV movie) as Kent Arens
1998: The Sky's On Fire (TV movie) as Chuck
1999: Love Boat: The Next Wave as Vince
1999: Beyond Belief, fact or fiction
2000: Family Law as Rick Quinn
2002: First Monday as David Dahl Washington Post Reporter