Highlander’s Stan Kirsch Gone

Actor Stan Kirsch, best known for playing Duncan MacLeod’s sidekick Richie Ryan on the TV show Highlander, has taken his own life at the age of 51.

Kirsch was born July 15, 1968 in New York City, New York, USA as Stanley Benjamin Kirsch. He died January 11, 2020 in Los Angeles as a result of suicide.

Adrian Paul and Stan Kirsch, *Highlander*, {image via Davis-Panzer Productions}

Kirsch is survived by his wife Kristyn Green, who appeared in such horror movies as Devil Dolls, Doll Graveyard, The Haunted Casino, and Evil Bong, their dog Duke, as well as hundreds of students and hundreds of thousands of fans.

Kirsch began his theatrical career at the age of four, in Campbell’s soup commercials. In 2008, he and his wife opened Stan Kirsch Studios, where he was a respected acting coach.

Other roles included appearances on JAG, Friends, General Hospital, and an ABC Afterschool Special.

He worked for several years as a child actor, then attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in political science. After graduation Kirsch returned to acting. He also worked as a casting director, and like many actors, turned to directing. Kirsch was a BAFTA Award nominee for Best Short Film for directing Transgressions. He wrote and directed Straight Eye:The Movie, which won the Griffon International Film Festival for Best Short – Comedy.

Kirsch was found hanging in his Los Angeles home. No one knows what burdens or sorrows someone else is carrying. Try being kind to the people you meet. It might make a difference. In the USA, Canada, and Australia, the Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 0300 304 7000.

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Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.

Susan Macdonald

Susan Macdonald is the author of the children's book "R is for Renaissance Faire", as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in "Alternative Truths", "Swords and Sorceress #30", Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, "Cat Tails" "Under Western Stars", and "Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid". Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio's web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.