Talladega Nights actor Houston Tumlin dead by suicide at age 28
Talladega Nights actor Houston Tumlin commits suicide at age 28: Child star who played Will Ferrell’s son is ‘found at home with self-inflicted gunshot wound’
- Tumlin took his own life at his home in Pelham, Alabama on Tuesday
- His girlfriend was reportedly inside the home at the time
- She took to Facebook to pay tribute to Tumlin, writing: ‘I feel numb, I feel defeated, I feel lost, I feel empty’
- Tumlin played Ferrell’s foul-mouthed son in the 2006 comedy Talladega Nights: The Legend Of Ricky Bobby; the smash-hit film was his only major film credit
- Since then, Tumlin served in the Army and worked repairing telephone lines
Talladega Nights star Houston Tumlin has passed away at the age of 28.
The actor, who was aged just 13 when he appeared in the 2006 Will Ferrell film, died by suicide on Tuesday afternoon at his home in Pelham, Alabama.
Shelby County coroner Lina Evans told TMZ that Tumlin was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot to the head around 4:30pm.
Sources told TMZ that Tumlin’s girlfriend was in the house at the time. A note has not been found.
Houston was a standout in Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby, in which he played foul-mouthed Walker Bobby, Will Ferrell’s character’s son.
The smash-hit movie grossed $163 million at the box office and became one of the highest-earning comedies of the 2000s.
It also starred John C. Reilly, Sacha Baron Cohen, Amy Adams and Jane Lynch.
The movie was Tumlin’s only professional film credit.
Talladega Nights star Houston Tumlin has passed away at the age of 28. The actor died by suicide on Tuesday afternoon at his home in Pelham, Alabama
Tumlin is pictured with his Talladega Nights co-star, Will Ferrell, at a premiere back in 2006
Ferrell and Tumlin are pictured in 2006. Tumlin happily recalled his time on the set of the Hollywood comedy, frequently sharing throwback photos on his Instagram
Tumlin (left) is pictured with Ferrell in a scene from the 2006 film. The film was one of the highest grossing Hollywood comedies of the 2000s
Tumlin’s Instagram betrayed no sign of his internal turmoil, and was instead filled with happy snaps of his family and beloved dog, Allie.
And, according to Facebook, Tumlin only officially began dating his girlfriend, Charity Robertson, earlier this month.
Robertson took to social media to share her sadness at her partner’s suicide on Tuesday night, writing: ‘I’ve never experienced a hurt like this before. I feel numb, I feel defeated, I feel lost. I feel empty.
‘My heart is absolutely shattered. My sweet, sweet baby… Our time together was one of the best experiences of my life.’
She continued: ‘I just still feel like this is a really bad dream that I can’t wake up from.
‘One thing is for sure though, I have the absolute best guardian angel a girl could ever wish for.’
According to Facebook, Tumlin only officially began dating his girlfriend, Charity Robertson, earlier this month
Girlfrien Charity Robertson yook to Facebook to share her sadness at her partner’s suicide
It’s unclear whether Tumlin attempted to pursue a career as a child star in Hollywood following the unexpected success of Talladega Nights.
However, he returned to his home state of Alabama, where he graduated from Victory Christian High School in 2011.
Afterward, Tumlin served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, located along the Kentucky-Tennessee border.
He was briefly married to a woman who also served the military.
According to TMZ, he recently dabbled in other work, including repairing telephone lines.
Tumlin served in the Army’s 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell along the Kentucky-Tennessee border. He is pictured in a 2017 selfie
Tumlin is seen in uniform in a photo posted to his Instagram page back in 2019
Tumlin was reported to be close to his family. Just last month he shared a photo to Instagram which showed him smiling alongside him mom.
Meanwhile, Tumlin’s sister, Hayden, took to social media Wednesday morning to pay tribute to her late brother.
‘I lost my brother yesterday. This doesn’t feel real or right to be without him. He was so special to us. I will love you forever, bubba,’ she wrote.
Will Ferrell has not yet made public comment on the death of his comedy co-star.
Tumlin appeared to fondly remember his time on the set of the film, sharing several throwback snaps with Ferrell on his Instagram account.
Tumlin’s Instagram betrayed no sign of his internal turmoil, and was instead filled with happy snaps of his family and beloved dog, Allie. A photo uploaded just last month showed him smiling alongside him mom
Tumlin’s sister, Hayden, took to social media Wednesday morning to pay tribute to her late brother
Tumlin is pictured at right on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of Talladega Nights in July 2006
Tumlin was a standout in Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby as the foul-mouthed character Walker Bobby (pictured)
Elsewhere, several men who served with Tumlin in the Army have taken to Twitter to express their shock and sadness at his death.
‘Sgt. Houston Tumlin came to me as Pvt. Tumlin. He showed a lot of spirit, promise, positive energy and was (hands down) one of the best Soldiers in my company. Came ready to work,’ one wrote.
‘Please check on each other. Get help if you need it. We need you.’
Another paid tribute to Tumlin by describing him as ‘one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met’.
‘He recently passed, and words can’t describe how hard this is. RIP buddy,’ the Army colleague wrote.
US READERS: If you or someone you know is struggling, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information and local resources.
UK READERS: For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123.
Several men who served with Tumlin in the Army have taken to Twitter to express their shock and sadness at his death
