Hollywood is mourning the loss of former child actor Dennis Rush, best known for appearing on classic TV favorites like The Andy Griffith Show and starring alongside James Cagney in the 1957 film Man of a Thousand Faces. He was 74.
Rush’s death was announced by his longtime friend and fellow child star Keith Thibodeaux, who shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook along with a photo of the late actor.
Thibodeaux, who famously played Little Ricky on I Love Lucy, told The Hollywood Reporter that Rush passed away on May 9.
“I just got word that my old buddy Dennis Rush, a fine actor and a great friend, passed away. What a shock,” Thibodeaux wrote.
He went on to remember Rush as one of Opie Taylor’s childhood pals on The Andy Griffith Show, where the actor appeared opposite a young Ron Howard.
“I will miss him at the Andy Griffith festivals as we had so many stories to tell,” Thibodeaux added.
The actor also revealed Rush had recently been diagnosed with leukemia.
“I’m just glad that I was able to pray with him last month at one of the festivals when he found out that he was diagnosed with leukemia,” he wrote. “Mayberry has lost a great citizen and a great friend.”
Born in California on June 10, 1951, Rush became one of the familiar faces of television during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
His breakout role came in Man of a Thousand Faces, where he played young Creighton Chaney — the son of silent film legend Lon Chaney, who later became horror icon Lon Chaney Jr..
From there, Rush built an impressive list of credits on some of the biggest TV shows of the era, including Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Lucy Show, Wagon Train and Laramie.
His final acting credit came in Disney’s 1966 family film Follow Me, Boys!.
Fans and fellow Hollywood stars quickly flooded social media with tributes after news of his death spread.
Among them was Lucie Arnaz, daughter of television legends Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
“Sorry, Keith. Those decades long friendships are the best,” Arnaz commented on Thibodeaux’s post. “He will save a nice place for you where he’s going, I’m sure.”
Thibodeaux simply replied: “Yes Lucie!”Hollywood is mourning the loss of former child actor Dennis Rush, best known for appearing on classic TV favorites like The Andy Griffith Show and starring alongside James Cagney in the 1957 film Man of a Thousand Faces. He was 74.
Rush’s death was announced by his longtime friend and fellow child star Keith Thibodeaux, who shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook along with a photo of the late actor.
Thibodeaux, who famously played Little Ricky on I Love Lucy, told The Hollywood Reporter that Rush passed away on May 9.
“I just got word that my old buddy Dennis Rush, a fine actor and a great friend, passed away. What a shock,” Thibodeaux wrote.
He went on to remember Rush as one of Opie Taylor’s childhood pals on The Andy Griffith Show, where the actor appeared opposite a young Ron Howard.
“I will miss him at the Andy Griffith festivals as we had so many stories to tell,” Thibodeaux added.
The actor also revealed Rush had recently been diagnosed with leukemia.
“I’m just glad that I was able to pray with him last month at one of the festivals when he found out that he was diagnosed with leukemia,” he wrote. “Mayberry has lost a great citizen and a great friend.”
Born in California on June 10, 1951, Rush became one of the familiar faces of television during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
His breakout role came in Man of a Thousand Faces, where he played young Creighton Chaney — the son of silent film legend Lon Chaney, who later became horror icon Lon Chaney Jr..
From there, Rush built an impressive list of credits on some of the biggest TV shows of the era, including Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Lucy Show, Wagon Train and Laramie.
His final acting credit came in Disney’s 1966 family film Follow Me, Boys!.
Fans and fellow Hollywood stars quickly flooded social media with tributes after news of his death spread.
Among them was Lucie Arnaz, daughter of television legends Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
“Sorry, Keith. Those decades long friendships are the best,” Arnaz commented on Thibodeaux’s post. “He will save a nice place for you where he’s going, I’m sure.”
Thibodeaux simply replied: “Yes Lucie!”