Philip McKeon

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Philip Anthony McKeon
McKeon (c. 1976)
Born(1964-11-11)November 11, 1964
DiedDecember 10, 2019(2019-12-10) (aged 55)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • print model
  • radio personality
Years active1966–2000
RelativesNancy McKeon (sister)

Philip Anthony McKeon (November 11, 1964 – December 10, 2019) was an American child actor and radio personality, best known for his role as Tommy Hyatt, the son of the title character on the television sitcom Alice from 1976 to 1985.[1]

Early life and family[edit]

McKeon was born in Westbury, New York,[2] the son of Barbara and Donald McKeon, a travel agent.[3] His younger sister is actress Nancy McKeon (The Facts of Life).[1] They are not related to actor Doug McKeon.

McKeon's professional career began when he was 4 years old as a print model.[2] His parents took him and Nancy, then age 2, to a nearby modeling audition, and he began his career as a child model, appearing in magazines, newspapers, and television commercials. Over the next several years, he received numerous modeling jobs, followed by several parts on stage and in films. McKeon played baseball with Benoit Benjamin in 1975 in Little League Baseball in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[4]

Career[edit]

McKeon's big break came when Linda Lavin saw him in a Broadway performance of Medea and Jason (1974), thought he was bright and talented, and recommended him for the part of Tommy on Alice, replacing child actor Alfred Lutter, who appeared in the pilot after playing Tommy in the Scorsese film opposite Ellen Burstyn.[2][5] Alice was the television adaptation of the Academy Award–winning performance by Ellen Burstyn in the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974), directed by Martin Scorsese with its screenplay by Robert Getchell.[6][7]

After Alice ended in 1985, McKeon continued to make periodic acting appearances, including Sandman (1993) and Ghoulies IV (1994). He also produced or directed films such as Teresa's Tattoo (1994), which starred his sister Nancy, Murder in the First (1995), and The Young Unknowns (2000).

After 2000, McKeon worked in radio, first in the news department at KFWB AM 980 in Los Angeles and then as co-host of morning radio show The Breakfast Taco on KWVH-LP 94.1FM in Wimberley, Texas.[8]

Personal life and death[edit]

McKeon was named in a few magazines as a teen idol.[9]

McKeon died in Texas on December 10, 2019, after a long illness.[10] He was 55 years old.[11]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1976–1985 Alice Tommy Hyatt Main cast (108 episodes)
1979 CHiPs Himself Episode: "Roller Disco: Part 2"
1982 Insight Tommy Russell Episode: "Leadfoot"
1984 Fantasy Island Raymond Koster Episode: "Sweet Life/Games People Play"
1984 The Love Boat Gary Atkins Episode: " Aunt Emma, I Love You/Hoopla/The First Romance"
1986 Amazing Stories 'Stick' Episode: "No Day at the Beach"
1987 Return to Horror High Richard Farley Feature film
1988 Favorite Son Television miniseries
1989 Red Surf 'True Blue' Direct-to-video film
1992 976-EVIL II Taylor Feature film
1993 Sandman Gordie Feature film
1994 Ghoulies 4 Demon Direct-to-video film

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gritten, David (February 15, 1982). "Move Over, McNichols! TV's Hottest Brother and Sis Are Philip and Nancy Mckeon". People. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Putt, Barry M. Jr. (2019). Alice: Life Behind the Counter in Mel's Greasy Spoon (A Guide to the Feature Film, the TV Series, and More). Albany, Georgia: BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1629334264.
  3. ^ "Nancy McKeon Biography". filmreference.com.
  4. ^ Benjamin 2012, pp. 68–69.
  5. ^ Thorne, Will (December 10, 2019). "'Alice' child star Philip McKeon dies at 55". NBC News. New York City. Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Barnes, Mike (November 6, 2017). "Robert Getchell, 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore' Screenwriter, Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Newcomb 1997, pp. 55–56.
  8. ^ Andone, Dakin (December 11, 2019). "Philip McKeon, former child actor, has died at 55". CNN. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  9. ^ Mansour 2005, p. 481.
  10. ^ Stone, Natalie (December 10, 2019). "Philip McKeon, a Child Star on the Sitcom Alice, Dies at Age 55". People. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  11. ^ Thorne, Will (December 10, 2019). "'Alice' child star Philip McKeon dies at 55". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2019.

Sources[edit]

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