Ed Gale, the actor who played the murderous doll Chucky in the early Child’s Play movies, died at the age of 61.

TMZ reports that Gale passed away on Tuesday under hospice care in Los Angeles.

Gale’s niece, Kayse, announced his sudden death in a touching Facebook post. “It is with a heavy heart and a surprisingly light coffin that we announce the sudden death of our uncle,” she said. Ed Gale has taken his final bow and is now headlining in the afterlife.” She said he was a “fun uncle” with a distinctive laugh and a love of sharing Hollywood magic with family.

Hollywood Legacy

As reported New York Post, born with dwarfism, Gale lived in Plainwell, Michigan, and developed a busy Hollywood career, playing roles in more than 130 movies, TV programs, and commercials. He began his film career in 1986, playing the title role in Howard the Duck. Two years later, he became well-known for physically acting out Chucky in the 1988 horror film Child’s Play, directed by Tom Holland. He reprised the character in Child’s Play 2 (1990) and Bride of Chucky (1998).

Outside of Child’s Play, Gale appeared in other films like Spaceballs, The Jungle Book, and Tiptoes. For television, he made guest appearances in hits like Land of the Lost, Family Matters, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and My Name Is Earl.

Controversy in Later Years

In 2023, Gale was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department following purportedly admitting to a civilian sting group, Creep Catchers Unit, that he attempted to solicit sex from children. Though his devices were taken during a police visit, he was never officially charged and was still under investigation when he died.

Many fans and family members look back at him as a participant in the entertainment world and a lively presence on- and off-screen.