Content Warning: This article about Houston Tumlin discusses suicide. If you are in distress, there are a number of immediately contactable hotlines you can call: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online, Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or chat online.
Former child actor Houston Tumlin, known for his role as Walker in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, has died at 28 years old.
Walker Bobby was Tumlin’s sole role as an actor, the 10-year-old son of Will Ferrell’s character Ricky Bobby. The film saw Tumlin go tit-for-tat with an ensemble cast of Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jane Lynch, Andy Richter, Molly Shannon and Amy Adams.
Tumlin took his own life on Tuesday at his home in Pelham, Ala. His death was confirmed by his girlfriend, Charity Robertson, in a Facebook post.
“I’ll miss your big heart, caring spirit, infectious laughter, and oh man could the list go on,” she wrote. “I love you so much Houston Lee and thank you for loving me so passionately and unapologetically for the time we had each other.”
After graduating high school in 2011, Tumlin didn’t return to acting. Instead, he enlisted to serve in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell as recently as 2015.
Geoff Carmichael, a presumed fellow Army member, tweeted heartfelt condolence to Tumlin. “SGT Houston Tumlin came to me as PVT Tumlin,” he wrote. “He showed a lot of spirit, promise, positive energy and was (hands down) one of my best Soldiers in my company. Came ready to work.”
Love Film & TV?
Get the latest Film & TV news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
“Please check on each other,” he continued. “Get help if you need it. We need you.”
Back in August 2019, Tumlin’s co-star Grayson Crussell, who played the role of Texas Ranger Bobby — Walker’s younger brother, shared a lengthy post commemorating the films 13th anniversary. The post delved into the on-set antics of the two child actors.
“I remember a ton of Connect Four, numerous apologies to Ted Manson for allegedly ‘throwing his old war medals off the bridge,’ acting like Legolas running around with @mslesliebibb‘s hair extensions, and being carried around atop the broad shoulders of Michael Clarke Duncan,” he wrote.
View this post on Instagram
