Highlander actor Stan Kirsch dies aged 51 after suicide

Highlander and General Hospital actor Stan Kirsch has died aged 51 after taking his own life in his Los Angeles home. 

The actor was found dead in his home on Saturday. 

The Los Angeles medical examiner ruled that Kirsch died by hanging. 

Law enforcement sources told TMZ that Kirsch’s wife, Kristyn Green, found him hanging in their bathroom. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. 

‘We tragically lost our beloved Stan Kirsch on January 11,’ a statement on Kirsch’s official Facebook page read.  

‘He was so loved and we are all just devastated.’

His wife shared the statement on her own Facebook page as she thanked everyone for the ‘outpouring of love and support’. 

‘I haven’t been able to respond to all the texts, calls, emails – but have read or listened to every single one of them,’ she said. 

‘I feel surrounded by love and am forever grateful to each and every one of you.’  

Kirsch was best known for playing Richie Ryan in the Highlander TV series for six seasons from 1992-1998. 

Law enforcement sources say Stan Kirsch’s wife, Kristyn Green, found him hanging in the bathroom of their Los Angeles home

Kirsch was known for playing Richie Ryan in Highlander in the 1990s. In addition to his acting credits, Kirsch was also a renowned acting coach in Los Angeles

The show paid tribute to him on their official Facebook page on Monday, saying the series would have been far less without him. 

‘It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Stan Kirsch. Without Stan Kirsch, Highlander: The Series would have been far less. He brought a sense of humor, kindness and youthful enthusiasm to the character of Richie Ryan for six seasons,’ the statement said. 

‘Stan was at a disadvantage compared to other actors portraying immortals on the series. He was never able to have flashbacks from the 1800’s or discuss how things were ‘back in his day’. 

‘However, Stan turned this situation into an opportunity; providing one of the few portrayals on the show where a character gradually grew into a wise, skilled and self-assured individual from episode to episode.

‘Although Richie Ryan’s life was cut short on the show, there was little more to see; Richie Ryan had evolved into his own man, and it was Stan’s performance that made it true.’ 

Kirsch appeared in a Friends’ episode in 1995 as Ethan – one of Monica’s dates who she later discovers is a high school student lying about his age

Kirsch’s wife Kristyn shared a statement on her Facebook page on Monday, thanking people for the ‘outpouring of love and support’ in the wake of his death

Kirsch also had acting appearances on General Hospital, JAG and a memorable episode of Friends during the show’s first season. 

He appeared on the Friends’ episode as Ethan – one of Monica’s dates who she later discovers is a high school student lying about his age. 

In addition to his acting credits, Kirsch was also a renowned acting coach in Los Angeles. 

He was coaching actors up until his death.  

His General Hospital co-star Mark Lawson paid tribute to him following the news of his death, saying Kirsch was his mentor and how he had prepared him for his first audition.

‘Stan. I’m reeling…all the way back to my first year in Los Angeles,’ Lawson said.  

‘You would coach me for nothing. You even let me be your trainer for a minute. You were my first big brother here. I’ll never forget that. And that’s how you’ll stay.’