Rene Kirby, the actor and Vermont native best known for his memorable role in the 2001 film Shallow Hal, has died at the age of 70.
His death on July 11 followed a two-month hospital stay due to complications with his esophagus, kidneys, and bladder, along with multiple infections, Variety reports.
He passed away at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Kirby, who lived with spina bifida, had no use of his legs but never considered himself disabled. "Walking on my hands is just all I’ve ever known," he told Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger in an episode of Stuck in Vermont. “I’ve never thought of myself as disabled.”
From Burlington to the Big Screen
Born with over a foot of his lower spine missing and a detached pelvis, Kirby was encouraged by his parents to reach for his bottle instead of wearing a leg-stretching brace. By one year old, he was walking on his hands.
As a teenager, he excelled in gymnastics and went on to win state titles in both skiing and swimming.
He later worked at IBM for 20 years before fate introduced him to filmmaker Peter Farrelly.
The two met in 1999 in Kirby’s hometown of Burlington, Vermont, while Farrelly was filming Me, Myself & Irene with Jim Carrey. After buying Kirby a beer and chatting late into the night, Farrelly was captivated. “He’s got a zest for life that is contagious and he’s extremely funny,” he later said.
The encounter led Farrelly to write a part specifically for Kirby in Shallow Hal, where he starred alongside Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow as the character Walt.
The role mirrored Kirby’s real life — a man living with spina bifida who navigated the world with humor, grit, and no apologies. The Farrelly brothers described him as someone who "epitomizes inner beauty."
Career highlights
Kirby reunited with the Farrelly brothers in 2003 for Stuck on You, and in 2005 appeared in HBO’s Carnivàle in an episode titled 'The Road to Damascus'. Though his on-screen appearances were limited, his impact among fans has remained enduring.
In a 2008 episode of Stuck in Vermont, Kirby summed up his approach to life with typical candor: “Life’s too short to be doing that,” he said of self-pity. Calling himself “a gimp without a wimp,” he expressed pride in carving out a path on his own terms.
Health battles and personal life
Kirby had previously survived throat cancer, a battle that resulted in the removal of his larynx and cost him his ability to speak. Despite that loss, he continued to live life fully — biking, skiing, acting, and later exploring online stock trading.
His brother Jon revealed that Rene hadn’t been able to ride his bike since last fall. “He had gotten to the point where he really couldn’t get up on it anymore.”
Kirby was the second son of Don and Janet Kirby, and one of seven children. His father passed away three years ago. He is survived by his mother and six siblings.
For many, Kirby was more than just a scene-stealer in a Hollywood comedy. He was a symbol of resilience, joy, and fierce independence — someone who pushed past expectations and refused to be defined by physical limitations.
“I’ve never met anyone like Rene,” Peter Farrelly once said. “Talk about inner beauty — this guy really has it.”
Our thoughts go out to Kirby's family and loved ones at this time.