Young Grinch Actor Dies 2 Years After 2000 Movie Release

Live action How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become a holiday tradition, but fans may not know that one of its most memorable stars died just two years after the film’s release.

An actor Joshua Ryan Evans died at the age of 20 not long after winning the hearts of fans as the 8-year-old Grinch Ron Howard-directed Christmas movie. Evans, who lived with a rare condition called achondroplasia, died as a result of a medical procedure to correct a congenital heart condition at a San Diego hospital in August 2002.

How the Grinch Stole Christmaswhich hit theaters in November 2000, marked Evans’ second to last acting performance before his death. Evans famously appeared as a younger version of Jim Carrey‘s Grinch in a flashback sequence that explains the character’s dislike of Christmas. Adopted by two citizens of Whoville, the young Grinch tries to please Martha May Whovier, by shaving his face, but ends up cutting himself. After being laughed at by his classmates and teachers, the young Grinch flees to Mount Crumpit and vows to hate Christmas.

Although Evans’ version of the Grinch was only 8 years old, the actor was still a teenager when he filmed the movie. His achondroplasia made him appear smaller than his actual age, standing at only 3-foot-2. Evans also suffered from a congenital heart disease that required several surgeries at a young age.

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Having a medical problem at home, frequent viewing of TV shows and movies inspired Evans to become an actor. “I thought, if it’s all fake, why can’t I do that,” he told the newspaper Los Angeles Times in a November 2000 interview.

Evans started acting in TV shows like this one Family Matters, Ally McBeal, Hello Arnold!, The Rugrats again 7th Heaven before booking How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He also starred as Timmy the living doll on the NBC soap opera Passions from 1999 to 2002.

In a freak Hollywood accident, Evans died on the same day as an episode of Passions aired where his character died and gave up his heart.

Evans role How the Grinch Stole Christmas it was originally intended to be small, but her skills inspired Howard, 70, to expand the part. “As it turns out, he was able to build a character and generate a lot of heart in the story,” the director told Los Angeles Times in November 2000. “That was really amazing. Working days with Jim were always amazing, but Josh was the happiest.”

Like Carrey, 62, Evans spent several hours in the makeup chair. “I’ve had heart surgery three times, so I know what it was like to be stuck with pins and needles,” he told this newspaper. his mother, Cheryl Evanshe added: “At one point, we were there for 16 hours and I was ready to pull him. Then Ron said, ‘Action,’ and he came to life.

At the time, Evans said he “wouldn’t forgive himself” if he was dropped from the film. “I’m close [to pulling myself]. I had two days left and I knew I had to go back. It was early again, I woke up and got dressed, I didn’t want to leave,” he shared. “The night before I yelled at my mother every minute she said something.”

Before his death, Evans was considering his options behind the camera. He recalls: “Ron offered me an apprenticeship because I asked him if I could look at him. “I can’t think too far ahead. I feel better than I have ever felt. I love being an actor. I love my job. I love the reward.”