'Talladega Nights' actor dead at 28 https://trib.al/7YfwYXB
https://twitter.com/nypost/status/1375014860241698822
‘Talladega Nights’ actor Houston Tumlin dead at 28
Actor Houston Tumlin, who played young Walker Bobby opposite Will Ferrell’s Ricky Bobby in “Talladega Nights,” has died at 28 by suicide, TMZ has reported.
Tumlin, who lived in Pelham, Alabama, took his own life with a gunshot to the head at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Shelby County Coroner Lina Evans.
His girlfriend, whose identity was not disclosed, was reportedly inside the home at the time of death.
No letter or indication of intended suicide has been found.
Tumlin’s role as the foul-mouthed 10-year-old son of a race car driver in 2006’s “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” is his only acting credit.
Just a month ago, he shared a fond memory of the film with his co-star and fellow child actor Grayson Russell. “@graysoncrussell tell me a set of ‘brothers’ more handsome. I’ll wait,” he wrote on his Instagram page.
As an adult, he served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., according to TMZ, as well as other professions.
Major Geoffrey Carmichael, 37, was his Company Commander in Echo Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division from 2015 to 2016 and told The Post his last interaction with him was 2019 when he wrote him a job recommendation.
“During my time as Houston’s commander, I knew him to be caring, funny, and always wanting to try his best because he never wanted to disappoint,” Carmichael said. “His celebrity status was never the source of what drew people to him. People didn’t want to be his friend because he was in a movie. People loved him because he was a good person. He was genuine. He was a professional and came to work ready to try hard and give us his best.”
Carmichael also recalled a time that Tumlin particularly moved him with his kindness.
“I’ll never forget when I left company command, he made it a point to pull me aside one on one away from everyone else to shake my hand and wish me well,” he said. “He thanked me for calling his parents when he first arrived to the unit to let them know he was okay and he never forgot that.”
Carmichael continued: “I’m grateful I had the privilege to serve with him. He was one of my best — and I sincerely mean that.”
He also wrote a tribute on Twitter: “SGT Houston Tumlin came to me as PVT Tumlin. 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. Please check on each other. Get help if you need it. We need you.”
Tumlin attended Victory Christian High School and graduated in 2011, according to the Wrap. A Twitter user who identified as a classmate of Tumlin’s said he was “one of the funniest guys.”
“Some of y’all might know who this is. This is Houston Tumlin, aka ‘Hooty.’ He was ‘Walker’ in ‘Talladega Nights’ (Will Ferrell’s Son),” they wrote in a tweet. “I graduated with him and he was one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. He recently passed, and words can’t describe how hard this is. RIP buddy.”
https://nypost.com/2021/03/24/talladega-nights-actor-houston-tumlin-dead-at-28/