Popular actor, gymnast, and dynamic personality Rene Kirby who gave one of the most memorable characters of 2001 film Shallow Hal is dead at 70.
Kirby was born with spina bifida and passed away on July 11 after spending two months in the hospital, fighting off esophagus, kidney and bladder complications, as well as infections, his brother Jon Kirby informed Seven Days, a Vermont-based publication.
Rene lived a life that was not typical at all, especially Rene. On the big screen, in the gymnastics arena, or cruising his native Burlington, Vermont, Kirby was a man of limitless energy, his own brand of humour, and a knack of exceeding expectations.
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Jon remembers the power and the humour with which his brother approached life. “He just taught me that there are no limitations to what any person can accomplish,” Jon said.
This was one of Rene’s favourite sayings, and it appeared to be his guiding philosophy by which he moved. It was, simply, that you do not have to stand up to stand out.
Life Bigger Than Hollywood
Although the majority of audiences were familiar with Rene Kirby because of his breakout role in Shallow Hal, where he played Walt, the charming friend of the character played by Jason Alexander, his life was a lot more involved than the silver screen.
Rene was born in Burlington as the second son of Don and Janet Kirby to a family of seven. Rene never allowed his childhood physical challenges of spina bifida to define him.
He was a state-champion gymnast in high school despite the comparative lack of use of his legs, and this shows and speaks to his strength, flexibility, and inability to be pigeonholed.
His interests did not end in sports. Kirby was also a swimmer, a skier, and a carpenter, and he used to work at IBM in more than 20 years. His gift and his presence touched every part of his life, his workbench to the water.
Jon said, He did it all. And he had done it with greater enthusiasm than any of the people I know.
Local Legend to Silver Screen
The eccentricity and captivating personality of Rene finally attracted the filmmaking pair Farrelly brothers, who are the initiators of such films as Dumb and Dumber and There is Something About Mary.
He was in Shallow Hal, as castmate to Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow, and his brief memorable performance prompted both fans and critics to agree that he was a hit.
Two years after that, he came back to the large screen with Stuck on You, directed by the Farrelly brothers in which he played Phil Rupp alongside Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear.
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A short, but significant career as an actor came to an end in 2005 when he appeared in an episode of Carnivale on HBO.
Rene did not allow Hollywood to distort his personality even though he was successful.
Jon recalled he would come back after doing a shooting and still be the same Rene, telling jokes, constructing something in the garage, zooming around town on his trike.
Kirby could be frequently seen on his customized tricycle, smiling and waving to locals in Burlington. His presence could be felt anywhere, not only due to his popularity but also due to his geniality.
Fighter to the End
Extraordinary medical resilience was also a part of the life of Rene Kirby. His sister Cheryl St. Amour said he once survived throat cancer.
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However, Rene underwent a treatment procedure that involved removing his larynx, and this has caused him not to speak in recent years.
Nevertheless, he managed to express himself. Rene managed to stay in touch with those around him through gestures of his hands, writing and, possibly, his smile above all.
He talked with his presence most people talk with words, said Cheryl.
Rene has a mother and six siblings that remain after him. His father, Don, preceded him in death.
Leaving a Legacy
A world that in many ways has not done the right thing with people with disabilities, Rene Kirby towered above them, not physically, but in the effects that she had.
It was either his unforgettable quote in Shallow Hal, or his skill in gymnastics, or his infinite allurement on the streets of Burlington, Rene led a life that made all who encountered him inspired.
Jon said, “He did not want sympathy.” He aspired to see people smile. He needed to demonstrate what people could do.”
And he did it.
With fans, friends, and family basking in the loss of a true original, his words that he himself lived by still ring true:
It is not necessary to stand up to stand out.
