Stan Kirsch was an American actor and acting coach born in New York City. He began his career as a child, appearing in television commercials for Campbell's soup in 1972. Throughout his early career, he continued to appear in commercials and landed his first credited role in the short-lived western series "Riders in the Sky" in 1991.
Kirsch's most notable acting role was as young immortal Richie Ryan in the fantasy television series "Highlander: The Series" from 1992 to 1998. Richie was initially depicted as an orphaned thief who became a surrogate son for the centuries-old immortal Duncan MacLeod. As the series progressed, Richie realized he was also immortal and became a more cynical character with lethal conflicts of his own.
In addition to his work on "Highlander," Kirsch appeared in other television shows, including the sitcom "Friends" in 1995, where he played Ethan, the new boyfriend of Monica Geller. He also played two different roles in the legal drama television series "JAG" and had guest appearances in other series, such as "Love Boat: The Next Wave" and "Family Law."
Kirsch's rare role in a theatrical film was in the horror film "Shallow Ground" in 2004, where he played deputy sheriff Stuart Dempsey. The film debuted at the "Dead by Dawn Edinburgh Horror Film Festival."
In the late 2000s, Kirsch's acting roles became fewer, and he shifted his focus to acting coaching. He founded the acting studio "Stan Kirsch Studios" in 2008 and worked as an acting coach for the rest of his life. He was regarded as very good at his job and had many students.
Sadly, Kirsch committed suicide by hanging on January 11, 2020, at the age of 51. The causes for his suicide were unknown. He was survived by his wife and business partner Kristyn Green. The official "Highlander" Facebook page posted an obituary for him, and the press reported grieving reactions by Kirsch's former students. Despite a relatively brief career, Kirsch is fondly remembered for his acting roles.
