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Beloved “Young Grinch” Actor Joshua Ryan Evans Passes Away at 20
Fans of the holiday classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas are remembering Joshua Ryan Evans, the talented actor who brought the young Grinch to life. Evans tragically passed away in August 2002 at the age of 20, just two years after the film’s release.
Evans’ death was attributed to complications following a medical procedure for a congenital heart condition. He also lived with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism that meant he stood at 3-foot-2, contributing to his youthful appearance.
In a poignant coincidence, on the very day of his passing, NBC aired an episode of Passions where Evans’ character, Timmy, died after donating his heart. Evans was well-known for his portrayal of Timmy the Living Doll on the popular daytime drama from 1999 to 2002.
His journey into acting began during his childhood, where time spent watching television and films while recovering from surgeries inspired him. “I thought, if it’s all pretend, why can’t I do that?” he shared with the LA Times in 2000.
Evans’ career included appearances on other television shows such as Family Matters, Ally McBeal, Rugrats, and 7th Heaven.
Despite the challenges of his role in The Grinch, which included grueling five-and-a-half-hour makeup sessions daily – two hours longer than lead actor Jim Carrey – Evans was dedicated to his craft. “I would never have forgiven myself if I stopped,” he stated.
Director Ron Howard was reportedly so impressed with Evans’ performance and dedication that the role of the young Grinch was expanded. Howard praised Evans, saying, “He created a character and brought so much heart to the story.”
Evans expressed his love for his profession in a 2000 interview with E! Online, remarking, “Acting is not only what I do, it’s what I am. I can’t imagine spending my life doing anything else.”