‘Chucky’ and ‘Howard The Duck’ star Ed Gale dies, aged 61

Ed Gale, who played Chucky in two Child’s Play films and the title role in Marvel adaptation Howard The Duck, has passed away aged 61.

The actor, born with dwarfism, was the physical performer for horror icon Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif), the killer doll at the centre of the 1988 hit Child’s Play. He returned for the 1990 sequel and the 1998 film Bride Of Chucky.

His film debut was playing the title role in 1986’s Howard The Duck. While the comedy was a box office flop, the George Lucas-produced film gained a cult following and has the distinction of being the first modern film adaptation of a Marvel comic.

Gale would also appear alongside George Clooney in 2000’s Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, as well as The Polar Express (2004) and the TV show Baywatch.

His niece, Kayse Gale, confirmed his passing on Wednesday (May 28) via Facebook (via The Hollywood Reporter). No cause of death has been given.

She wrote: “It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the sudden passing of our uncle, Ed Gale. Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife. Ed hitched a ride to California when he was twenty years old, with $41 and a dream, and he never looked back.”

The tribute continued: “Ed’s favourite role was that of the ‘fun uncle.’ His love language was sharing his love of the entertainment industry and the magic of Hollywood with his nieces. Ed loved 7 eleven hotdogs with disgusting amounts of ketchup. He enjoyed reminiscing about his glory days DJing at the Plainwell roller rink. He hated Bill Maher for no good reason. He delighted in the slow build-up of telling a good story, and cheating at cribbage. He had one hell of a laugh, and he will be missed. Rest in love you cranky bastard.”

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