Cheaper By The Dozen star Jimmy Hunt has tragically passed away aged 85, it’s been announced. 

The former child actor, who rose to fame with the original 1950 comedy that was later remade in 2003 starring Steve Martin, passed away in a Californian hospital on Friday. This was six weeks after he had suffered a heart attack, as reported by his daughter-in-law to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition to his roles as son William and later Fred in the sequel “Cheaper By The Dozen,” Jimmy appeared in an impressive 31 films during his notably brief career, retiring from acting at the young age of 14.

His famous onscreen co-stars included the likes of Bing Crosby, Ronald Reagan, Claudette Colbert, Burt Lancaster and Barbara Stanwyck. 

He is survived by his wife of 61 years Roswitha, sons Ron and Randy as well as nine children and six great-grandchildren. 

One of Jimmy’s standout roles was as David in the 1953 classic “Invaders from Mars,” and he even came out of retirement for the 1986 remake, playing the town’s Sheriff. In the film, he humorously remarks upon seeing the aliens, “I haven’t been here for 40 years.”

Cheaper By The Dozen star Jimmy Hunt has tragically passed away aged 85 it’s been announced (pictured February 2024) 

The former child actor who found fame in the original 1950 comedy, died in a Californian hospital on Friday, six weeks after suffering a heart attack 

Jimmy starred in a whopping 31 movies across his short career, before retiring from acting at the tender age of 14 (pictured, right in 1953’s Invaders From Mars)

Following the news of Jimmy’s death, devastated fans rushed to social media to pay their respects: ‘Watched Invaders from Mars just recently. A very sad day for the #horrorcommunity, #scifi and #classicmovies. Rest in peace Jimmy Hunt’. 

‘ANOTHER SAD FAREWELL Jimmy Hunt (Invaders from Mars, Cheaper by the Dozen, Sorry Wrong Number, Pitfall, etc) has died at the age of 85, according to posts by family members and friends. Sad news. RIP’.

Jimmy left the acting profession in his teens before going on to serve in the army before working in sales for an industrial tool and supply company.

He once told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘I decided that I would rather play sports in high school than make movies, so I retired’.

Jimmy revealed in 2022 that the remake of Invaders from Mars is the only movie from his career from which he receives royalties. 

He told the Film Threat with a giggle: ‘Every once and a while, the Screen Actors Guild sends me a check for like nine dollars’.

During a TV appearance in 2017 the actor also recalled how he broke his arm while filming 1951’s Week-End with Father. but continued filming regardless. 

‘No one made me finish the picture that way. I wanted to, I considered myself a professional. In other words, I never had any really bad times as a boy actor’. 

One of his most memorable roles was as David in 1953’s iconic Invaders from Mars (pictured) and he even came out of retirement to appear in the film’s 1986 remake 

Pictured as the Sheriff in the 1986 remake of Invaders from Mars, who quips upon seeing the aliens : ‘I haven’t been here for 40 years’

Jimmy (pictured 1949) left the acting profession in his teens, reportedly in order to concentrate on playing sports in high school, he then went on to serve in the army before working in sales

Following the news of Jimmy’s death, devastated fans rushed to social media to pay their respects