Kevin-Corcoran-Obituary

Kevin Corcoran

Jul 12, 1964 – Oct 3, 2015 (Age 66)

About

BORN
July 12, 1964
DIED
October 3, 2015
AGE
66

Obituary

Kevin Corcoran, the actor who played the youngest son in the 1957 Disney classic Old Yeller, has died, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 66.

Corcoran, who worked on many Disney movies and TV shows behind and in front of the camera, died Tuesday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank after a five-year battle with colorectal cancer, his wife, Laura, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Corcoran is best remembered for his role as Arliss Coates, the youngest son of Jim (Fess Parker) and Katie (Dorothy McGuire) and the brother of Travis (Tommy Kirk), in the post-Civil War tear-jerker Old Yeller, which centerd around the family’s heroic dog.

He and Kirk returned for the 1963 sequel Savage Sam, a tale about another courageous dog — Old Yeller’s son.

Corcoran was a native of Santa Monica, California. He was one of eight children, all of whom acted in the 1950s and '60s. One of his sisters, Noreen Corcoran, played the niece of John Forsythe’s character on the 1950s CBS-NBC series Bachelor Father.

Kevin made his movie debut in Anthony Mann’s The Glenn Miller Story (1954), then played Moochie, an irrepressible sort who hates being treated like a little kid, on a pair of Spin and Marty TV series and on Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.

He later shifted his focus behind the scenes and became a producer.

Corcoran was a co-producer on nine episodes of The Shield and on 14 installments of another FX drama, Sons of Anarchy.

Corcoran was "a delightful person and producer, including on The Shield," that series’ creator, Shawn Ryan, said on Twitter.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

His characters especially in Pollyanna and Swiss family Robinson gave me such joy in these wholesome heartwarming movies. I know it´s been some time from his passing but I was recently wondering about him and saw he had passed on. I pray the Lords comfort for you all

I grew up with Moochie and Jimmy Bean. I was deeply saddened to hear of Kevin´s passing. He lives on in bright, happy memories. B. Hunt

This is to the family of Kevin Corcoran. I am sorry for your lose. I remember watching Old Yeller and every time I have watched it my heart goes out to that family losing the dog. The movie was awesome I also remember Spin and Marty on Walt Disney. I grew up watching the wonderful world of disney. May the lord be with you

Well, Kevin. Sad to see you pass away so prematurely. Well. You will always be the favorite Disney Kid that acted in all of his live family action movies. How lucky are you. Your family will always have that treasure, to go back in time in see you. I bet they miss you very much. Thank you for the memories.

Kevin Corcoran was sweet and an excellent actor as a child when I saw him. He had a kindly impishness. I just watched him today Feb. 4, 2022, and discovered he and Tommy Kirk had passed. Both were of my generation. I grew up with them, watching their talented and inspiring performances. RIP and God Bless You both

I loved your acting with such spunk. Just found out you passed away. Pray for your family. Thankyou for giving us such joy. R.I.P.

Loved him in old yeller reminded me of me when I was a boy

Kevin is so very much missed. He touched all of us through his work. We were of an age and I have special memories as a kid enjoying his Disney movies. I own them all and continue to enjoy them. Kevins incomparable legacy lives on always. He lives on in our hearts.

I grew up watching Kevin in Moochie on the Disney channel in the 80's. I decided to google him today and I was sad to hear he passed on so young. RIP Mooch.