https://people.com/tv/philip-mckeon-dies-at-age-55/

Child actor Philip McKeon has died. He was 55.

After battling a longtime illness, he died Tuesday morning in Texas, family spokesman Jeff Ballard confirmed to PEOPLE.

“We are all beyond heartbroken and devastated over Phil’s passing,” Ballard said in a statement. “His wonderful sense of humor, kindness and loyalty will be remembered by all who crossed his path in life.”

The elder brother of Facts of Life actress Nancy McKeon, Philip is best known for his role as Tommy Hyatt on Alice, in which he starred opposite Linda Lavin from 1976-1985. The CBS sitcom was based on Martin Scorsese’s 1974 rom-com Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, in which Alfred Lutter played the titular character Alice Hyatt’s son Tommy. However, Philip replaced Lutter after the pilot.


Following his role on the sitcom, he worked at Los Angeles station KFWB News 98 in its news department for 10 years before later moving to Wimberly, Texas, where he hosted his own radio show and relocated to be closer to family. His other credits include the 1987 slasher film Return to Horror High and appearances in CHiPs, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat.

Philip is survived by Nancy and his mother, Barbara.

This is awful news. I was big fan of Philip and Nancy growing up. 55 is too young to go out. Tommy was a cool character, especially on those early seasons.

RIP Philip McKeon

:rip:

So sad.

May he rest in peace

:(

May He Rest In Peace

:(

This is sad news. It is all the more shocking when people die at a young age! :(

I am too shocked to even know what to say!! :eek:So very sad!!:(

Sad. He’s been ill for awhile now.
No more pain.

Very sad. 55 is so young....

May he R.I.P.

Their father passed away just a few weeks ago... what a shame.

Did he never marry? The survivors list his mother and sister, so apparently he had no spouse or children.

One year older than me. R.I.P. Philip. :(

I just got the news! I was thinking cancer (because of how young he was), but the reports are being vague about what he may have died from. (Just said that he was sick for a long time.) In any event, it's very shocking. I never imagined him dying so young.

Does anyone know how he passed?

Does anyone know how he passed?

One of the tabloid websites said he took his own life after years of battling depression. His beloved father passed away a few weeks ago and perhaps the loss was too much for Philip.

What a shock. One of my first crushes when I was young. Seemed like a great guy and was so handsome.

If that's true it continues a sad pattern for child actors. Before Philip it was one of the Sweeten twins from Raymond, a few years ago.

RIP Philip McKeon.

So sad. Too young.

So sad to hear this, may he rest in peace.

Very sad. Here's a picture of him attending the Chiller autograph show in Spring 2018.
I wonder what kind of illness he had?
Incidentally, his co-star Vic Tayback (Mel) was only five years older than Phillip when he died at the age of 60 back in 1990.
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/burton-gilliam-and-philip-mckeon-attend-chiller-theatre-expo-spring-picture-id952652160?s=2048x2048

I'm surprised Linda Lavin hasn't commented on his passing on her Instagram account. She just posted a few hours ago reminding everyone to come see her show tonight.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B58J11ZJq7W/

I'm surprised Linda Lavin hasn't commented on his passing on her Instagram account. She just posted a few hours ago reminding everyone to come see her show tonight.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B58J11ZJq7W/

She gave a statement to People. Here's the article if anyone's interested.

https://people.com/tv/alice-star-linda-lavin-mourns-death-philip-mckeon/

Thanks for posting that! I was beginning to wonder.

Thanks for posting that! I was beginning to wonder.

When I saw your post it got me wondering too so I Googled Linda Lavin to see if she made any comments in the news. And i'm glad I found that article because I know she had a falling out with her "Alice" co star Polly Holiday and they haven't spoken in over 30 years and i'd hate to think that something similar possibly happened between her and McKeon.

Glad it didn't and I loved the beautiful statement she made to People.

The most prevalent rumour right now is that Philip died of AIDS, or suicide suffering from complications from AIDS. Not saying it's true, but that's what I hear.

Very sad. Here's a picture of him attending the Chiller autograph show in Spring 2018.

In the picture you posted, I see a great sadness in Philip's eyes.

The most prevalent rumour right now is that Philip died of AIDS, or suicide suffering from complications from AIDS. Not saying it's true, but that's what I hear.

That would be shocking only because AIDS is no longer a death sentence like it was in the past. From what i've read it's become a pretty manageable disease with all the medical advancements.
Suicide from being ill for a long time however does make sense though, so i'll believe that over dying from the disease itself. With all the speculation, hopefully his family will eventually shed some light on it.

Either way it's very sad.

One of the tabloid websites said he took his own life after years of battling depression. His beloved father passed away a few weeks ago and perhaps the loss was too much for Philip.

Thank you.

There has been a cure for AIDS for many years, which is why I would never give money to fraudulent AIDS charities. But it's still a death sentence if you don't have the money or insurance to pay for the highly expensive medication.

I'm trying to look for information on how he died, but there isn’t anything.

I'm trying to look for information on how he died, but there isn’t anything.

The autopsy results would be available by now, so the cause of death is probably being covered up.

The autopsy results would be available by now, so the cause of death is obviously being covered up. In Hollywood, that usually means suicide or AIDS.

Thank you.

I was shocked when I heard about his passing. Only two years younger than my husband.