By JOANNA CRAWLEY FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 08:41 EDT, 23 July 2025 | Updated: 09:44 EDT, 23 July 2025

Shallow Hal star Rene Kirby has died, aged 70. 

The actor died on July 11 after being hospitalised for two months with infections as well as problems with his esophagus, kidneys and bladder, his brother Jon Kirby has said. 

He died at the University of Vermont Medical Center, as reported by Vermont publication Seven Days. 

He had previously battled throat cancer with his treatment including removal of his larynx meaning he had lost his ability to talk in recent years.

Rene had a memorable role in the 2001 movie Shallow Hal, playing Walt, who like Rene had no use of his legs due to spina bifida. 

Shallow Hal star Rene Kirby has died, aged 70. The actor died on July 11 after being hospitalised for two months with infections (pictured in a 2008 documentary)

Shallow Hal star Rene Kirby has died, aged 70. The actor died on July 11 after being hospitalised for two months with infections (pictured in a 2008 documentary) 

Rene had a memorable role in the 2001 movie Shallow Hal, playing Walt, who like Rene had no use of his legs due to spina bifida - pictured with Gwyneth Paltrow

Rene had a memorable role in the 2001 movie Shallow Hal, playing Walt, who like Rene had no use of his legs due to spina bifida – pictured with Gwyneth Paltrow 

Rene’s acting career also included a role in the 2003 film Stuck on You as well as one episode of the TV show Carnivàle.

Rene was born with more than a foot of his lower spine missing whilst his spine was detached from his pelvis and his legs never developed.

He found himself sharing the screen with Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow when he bumped into Hollywood director Peter Farrelly in 1999.

Farrelly was in Rene’s hometown of Burlington, Vermont shooting Me, Myself & Irene starring Jim Carrey. 

The director bought Rene a beer and after a night of talking, he had decided to cast Rene in hius next film, recalling in a 2001 interview: ‘He’s got a zest for life that is contagious and he’s extremely funny.’

Farrelly wrote a part for Rene in Shallow Hal, which he and his brother, Bobby, co-wrote and co-directed.

The film was about looking beyond outward appearances so Farrelly deemed it a perfect fit for the acting newcomer as Rene ‘epitomizes inner beauty.’

Rene was born with more than a foot of his lower spine missing whilst his spine was detached from his pelvis and his legs never developed

Rene was born with more than a foot of his lower spine missing whilst his spine was detached from his pelvis and his legs never developed 

Rene's acting career also included a role in the 2003 film Stuck on You as well as one episode of the TV show Carnivàle

Rene’s acting career also included a role in the 2003 film Stuck on You as well as one episode of the TV show Carnivàle

Rene was the second son of Don and Janet Kirby and had six siblings. 

His parents pushed back on doctor’s recommendations to use a brace to stretch their baby son’s legs, instead encouraging him to reach for his bottle. 

By the age of one Rene was walking on his hands.

As a teenager he won state titles in gymnastics before working for IBM for 20 years. 

He revealed in a 2008 documentary how he ‘never considered myself disabled’, whilst Farrelly declared: ‘I’ve never met anyone like Rene, he has an amazing life. Talk about inner beauty – this guy really has it’.

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Shallow Hal actor dies aged 70 after being hospitalised for two months as his family pay tribute