Salem’s Lot actor Lance Kerwin has died aged 62 … aka James at 15 and The Boy Who Drank Too Much
- The actor’s family said he died in San Clemente, California and the autopsy is pending
- Kerwin was a child actor who had a string of high-profile roles in the late 1970s
- Kerwin is survived by his five children Savanah, Fox, Terah, Kailani and Justus
Actor Lance Kerwin has died in San Clemente, California, at the age of 62, according to his family.
The entertainer is best known for his work in projects such as the 1979 miniseries Salem’s Lot and the 1977-1978 NBC series James at 15, later retitled James at 16.
Kerwin’s daughter, Savanah, said officials were performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death, according to Variety.
The Latest: Actor Lance Kerwin has died at the age of 62 in San Clemente, California, according to his family. He was pictured at an event in July 2022 in LA
Kerwin was a child actor appearing on television in 1974, with roles on shows such as Emergency!, Little House on the Prairie, and Gunsmoke. He also received praise for his portrayal of Billy Carpenter in the 1980 TV movie The Boy Who Drank Too Much.
In James at 15 he played James Hunter, a teenager who had moved to Massachusetts from Oregon and had a passion for photography.
The show was at the center of controversy when the main character engaged in premarital sex and lost his virginity when thousands of viewers sent letters to the network to protest the content. The series ran from 1977 to 1978 for a total of 21 episodes.
Kerwin was a teenage heartthrob at the time and a regular feature on the covers of publications such as Tiger Beat.
A teenage heartthrob in the late ’70s, Kerwin was a regular on the covers of publications such as Tiger Beat
The entertainer is best known for his work in projects such as the 1979 miniseries Salem’s Lot, in which he starred opposite James Mason
Kerwin was pictured with Mackenzie Phillips at a Battle of the Network Stars event in LA in 1978
Other roles Kerwin has had in his career have included stints on television shows such as Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman and Family.
In the later years of his career he had appeared on shows such as The New Adam-12, Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon.
He appeared in the 1995 film Outbreak and made a big screen comeback in 2022’s The Wind and the Reckoning.
The actor has also appeared at horror film conventions in recent years.
Kerwin is survived by his five children Savanah, Fox, Terah, Kailani and Justus.
The actor starred in a promotional image for The Family Holvak series in 1975
He appeared in the 1985 TV movie The Fourth Wise Man, playing the role of Passhur
Taking to Twitter, some of the late actor’s peers and fans commemorated him after his death.
“I am beyond heartbroken to learn of the passing of one of my best friends and co-stars that I have ever worked with, Lance Kerwin,” said actor Ike Eisenmann. He was the child actor who inspired me to be the best I could be because he was the best I had ever seen. Rest in peace my friend.’
Actress Erin Murphy said: “Tough start to the year. Rest In Peace #LanceKerwin.’
Horror outlet Fangoria said it was “saddened to hear of the passing of Lance Kerwin, whose performance in ‘SALEM’S LOT’ left an indelible mark on all of us,” adding, “Our thoughts and condolences go out to his friends , his family and many other fans.
Taking to Twitter, some of the late actor’s peers and fans commemorated him after his death