The young actor who portrayed the Grinch in the beloved holiday movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas passed away just two years after the film’s release, with an uncanny coincidence occurring on the day of his death.
Josh Ryan Evans tragically passed in August 2002, less than two years after the debut of the film. He portrayed the younger version of Jim Carrey’s iconic character, who transforms from a Christmas-hating figure to one who embraces the holiday spirit.
Evans was diagnosed with a type of dwarfism called achondroplasia, which resulted in his height being 3ft 2in when he died at the age of 20.
Despite facing heart issues that required several surgeries during his youth, Evans was inspired by television he watched during recovery, deciding, “You know what, I can do this,” and pursued a successful acting career.
Starting at the age of 12, Evans appeared in television commercials before making his film debut as a toddler in 1999’s Baby Geniuses, leading to his notable role in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
To become the young Grinch, Evans endured five and a half hours in the makeup chair each day for the role.
Director Ron Howard initially intended for the role to be a minor walk-on as a class outcast, but after meeting Evans, he expanded the character’s role in the film.
Following his success in the Christmas film, Evans secured the role of Timmy Lenox in the NBC soap opera Passions.
He earned multiple accolades for his performance, including a YoungStar Award for ‘Best Young Actor in a Daytime TV Series’.
Tragically, as Evans’ career soared, he succumbed to complications related to his heart condition during a medical procedure.
In an eerie twist of fate, the day Evans passed, NBC aired an episode of Passions in which his character also died.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Josh Ryan Evans,” NBC stated at the time.
“He was a truly unique talent with a remarkable spirit.
“He will be sorely missed by his Passions family and by all of us at NBC.”
The episode was originally scheduled for August 5, 2002, planned weeks in advance, and Evans’ character was supposed to make a return appearance later in the series as an angel.
However, following his untimely death, these plans were canceled, and the episode was dedicated to Evans’ memory.