Rene Kirby, actor who danced alongside Gwyneth Paltrow in 'Shallow Hal,' dead at 70

USA Today

24-07-2025

Rene Kirby, a film star best known for his role in the body comedy "Shallow Hal," died July 11. He was 70.
According to an official obituary, Kirby died in his native Burlington, Vermont, "following a short illness." Kirby was born with spina bifida, a condition that occurs when the spine or spinal cord doesn't form properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can result in a variety of symptoms, including numbness, leg paralysis and back pain.
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Kirby, who for many years worked at tech giant IBM, and then later as a motivational speaker, had only a short stint on the big screen, also starring in 2003's "Stuck on You," and an episode of the television program "Carnivàle."
He is most famed, though, for his role in "Shallow Hal," the Farrelly brothers' 2001 comedy romance, which cast Kirby as Walt, who, alongside stars Gwenyth Paltrow and Jack Black, danced with crutches, embodying the film's "seeing beyond appearances" sentiment.
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The movie, which became a cult classic to some and an example of poor movie judgment to others, saw Black fall in love with Paltrow for her inner beauty, rather than her outward looks. In the film, Paltrow donned a "fat suit," a choice she later voiced regret over.
Kirby, though onscreen for only short clips of the movie, brought an enthusiasm and joy to the big screen.
Kirby is survived by his mother, Janet; brothers, Ric, Daryl and Jon, and sisters Donna, Cheryl and Jean, as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.