Actor. As a child, he attended Actors Studio classes taught by Lee Strasberg with his father, character actor Bruce Kirby. Two years after his family moved to California, Kirby made his television debut in a 1969 episode of the television series 'Room 222.' In 1973, he won his first leading role in the feature film 'The Harrad Experiment.' The following year, he landed the role of Young Pete Clemenza in 'The Godfather Part II.' Throughout the 1970s, he often appeared on television series or in made for TV movies such as 'Kojak,' 'Delvecchio,' 'Baby Blue Marine' and 'The Godfather Saga.' He appearered in the cult favorite 'This is Spinal Tap' in 1984 and was cast as the foil in 1987's 'Good Morning, Vietnam'. Playing off his role in 'The Godfather Part II,' he portrayed Marlon Brando's aide in 'The Freshman' in 1990. He supported the lead as the best friend in both 'When Harry Met Sally...' in 1989 and 'City Slickers' in 1991 (both films starred Billy Crystal). More recent films have included: 'The Basketball Diaries' in 1995, 'Sleepers' in 1996, 1997's 'Donnie Brasco' and 'Stuart Little' in 1999. Kirby made his Broadway debut in 1991 as a wannabe gangster in Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Lost in Yonkers.' Kirby returned to television in 1992 for 'The Larry Sanders Show.' He also appeared in the series 'Homicide: Life on the Street' and in the HBO series 'Entourage.' Shortly after, he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. He succumbed to the illness at the age of 57.
Actor. As a child, he attended Actors Studio classes taught by Lee Strasberg with his father, character actor Bruce Kirby. Two years after his family moved to California, Kirby made his television debut in a 1969 episode of the television series 'Room 222.' In 1973, he won his first leading role in the feature film 'The Harrad Experiment.' The following year, he landed the role of Young Pete Clemenza in 'The Godfather Part II.' Throughout the 1970s, he often appeared on television series or in made for TV movies such as 'Kojak,' 'Delvecchio,' 'Baby Blue Marine' and 'The Godfather Saga.' He appearered in the cult favorite 'This is Spinal Tap' in 1984 and was cast as the foil in 1987's 'Good Morning, Vietnam'. Playing off his role in 'The Godfather Part II,' he portrayed Marlon Brando's aide in 'The Freshman' in 1990. He supported the lead as the best friend in both 'When Harry Met Sally...' in 1989 and 'City Slickers' in 1991 (both films starred Billy Crystal). More recent films have included: 'The Basketball Diaries' in 1995, 'Sleepers' in 1996, 1997's 'Donnie Brasco' and 'Stuart Little' in 1999. Kirby made his Broadway debut in 1991 as a wannabe gangster in Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize-winning play 'Lost in Yonkers.' Kirby returned to television in 1992 for 'The Larry Sanders Show.' He also appeared in the series 'Homicide: Life on the Street' and in the HBO series 'Entourage.' Shortly after, he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006. He succumbed to the illness at the age of 57.
Bio by: Iola
Family Members
Advertisement
