Rene Kirby dead: Shallow Hal dies at 70 after health struggles and lengthy hospital stay

Rene Kirby, known for his role in Shallow Hal, has sadly died at the age of 70. The actor's death on July 11 followed a two-month hospitalisation due to infections and complications with his oesophagus, kidneys and bladder, according to his brother Jon Kirby.

His passing occurred at the University ofVermont Medical Center, as reported by the Vermont-based publication Seven Days. He was best known for starring in 2011 American comedy Shallow Hal, directed by the Farrelly Brothers and starring Gwyneth Paltrowand Jack Black.

The movie saw Black's sexist character be hypnotised to only see the inner beauty of people - including love interest Rosemary (played by a fat-suit wearing Paltrow). The movie was a huge box office success, grossing $141million against a $41million budget.

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Kirby found himself starring in the 1999 Hollywood movies after a chance encounter with Hollywood director Peter Farrelly. Farrelly was in Rene's hometown of Burlington, Vermont shooting Me, Myself & Irene starring Jim Carrey.

After buying Rene a pint and spending the evening chatting, Farrelly decided to cast Rene in his next film. In a 2001 interview, he said: "He's got a zest for life that is contagious and he's extremely funny."

Farrelly penned a role specifically for Rene in Shallow Hal, which he co-wrote and co-directed with his brother, Bobby. Given the film's theme of looking beyond physical appearances, Farrelly believed it was an ideal fit for Rene, who he said "epitomises inner beauty".

Kirby lived with spina bifida, which led to him having no use of his legs. But that didn’t stop the actor from biking, skiing and acting. "Walking on my hands, it’s just, all I’ve ever known, I just never thought of myself being disabled," he told Seven Days’ Eva Sollberger in an episode of Stuck in Vermont.

Rene was the second son of Don and Janet Kirby, growing up with six siblings. His parents rejected doctor's advice to use a brace to stretch their infant son's legs, instead motivating him to reach for his bottle.

By the tender age of one, Rene was already walking on his hands. In his teenage years, he clinched state titles in gymnastics before embarking on a 20-year career at IBM.

In a 2008 documentary, he expressed how he 'never considered myself disabled', while Farrelly proclaimed: 'I've never met anyone like Rene, he has an amazing life. Talk about inner beauty - this guy really has it'.

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