The tragic life and times of Evan Ellingson: Former child star’s brother died from drug overdose in 2008 – with the star facing his own addiction battle before shock death aged 35 in sober living home
- The star also worked with David Caruso on the TV series CSI: Miami
- And he had a role as Kiefer Sutherland’s nephew on the TV series 24
- His father Michael confirmed Evan’s passing to TMZ on Monday
- He added that his son had struggled with drugs, but had been doing better in recent years
Former child star Evan Ellingson tragically died aged just 35 in the bedroom of his sober living facility in California on Sunday.
The actor – who starred alongside Cameron Diaz in 2009 film My Sister’s Keeper – was a hugely successful screen star in his teens – but dropped out of the spotlight in 2010 following a final appearance in CSI: Miami.
Amid the success, Ellingson was struck by tragedy. His older brother Austin Ellingson – who was also an actor – died aged 22 from a drug overdose in 2008 during the filming of My Sister’s Keeper.
That same year Evan would welcome his only child, daughter Brooklynn.
Evan would endure his own battle with drug addiction – with his father clarifying the actor had been doing better in recent years and was in recovery at the time of his death.
Sad loss: Former child star Evan Ellingson tragically died aged just 35 in the bedroom of his sober living facility in California on Sunday – he had previously battled drug addiction and endured the loss of his brother to an overdose. Seen in 2009
Brothers: Amid the success, Ellingson was struck by tragedy. His older brother Austin Ellingson – who was also an actor – died aged 22 from a drug overdose in 2008 during the filming of My Sister’s Keeper – Evan paid tribute to his brother in 2013 (pictured)
The actor was born in La Verne in Southern California, where he grew up with three brothers.
He was known as a sports enthusiast, enjoying surfing, skating and mountain climbing.
Aged 10, he was discovered at a skate park and asked to compete with the Vans PeeWee team and star in a commercial – kickstarting his career in the entertainment world.
His first acting role was in the 2001 TV movie Living In Fear in which he played ‘young Chuck’ at age 12.
Next he appeared as Young Luke Spencer in a 2001 episode of the soap opera General Hospital.
Then came a small role as Alden Boy in 2001’s The Gristle.
From 2001 until 2002 he starred in 10 episodes of the TV series Titus with Christopher Titus and Stacy Keach.
He was then seen on Mad TV as Church Camp Boy, and in Time Changer as Roger.
In 2003, he played Adam in the short Rules Of The Game, and then in 2005 he had a part as Benjamin Givens in the movie Confession which starred Pete Greene and Chris Pine.
It was back to TV with Complete Savages; Evan starred in 19 episodes from 2004 until 2005.
A hit film: Seen left in 2009’s My Sister’s Keeper with Abigail Breslin
Double tragedy: Tragically his brother Austin, 22, would die from an overdose of Oxycontin and Xanax during filming in 2008 – Austin starred in 2001 movie Lay It Down – which was set against the world of street racing – as Young Ben (pictured)
Low profile: The star is seen in a photo shared to X in 2016
In 2010 the star seemingly dropped out of the spotlight and did not appear in any more Hollywood features – he is seen in 2013
TV actor: The star. left, was best known for his work with David Caruso, right, on the TV series CSI
On the red carpet: From left, Cameron Diaz, Sofia Vassilieva, Abigail Breslin, Ellingson and Jason Patric at the New York premiere of My Sister’s Keeper in 2009 – the year after Evan welcomed a daughter
Cryptic: Although it is not known if he had a partner at the time of his death, in 2014 he revealed he was engaged and set to wed soon in an Instagram post
In 2005 he played David Cook in an episode of Bones with David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel.
In the 2006 film The Bondage he played Mark Edwards opposite Michael Angarano and he also had a role as ‘Kid Marine’ in Clint Eastwood’s epic war film Letters From Iwo Jima.
Evan landed another TV series the next year: In 2007 he was cast as Josh Bauer, the nephew of Kiefer Sutherland’s counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer in the thriller 24.
He was on a total of 10 episodes of the acclaimed series that revolved around Jack dealing with assassination attempts, nuclear attacks, bioterrorism, torture, traitors and sleeper cells.
After that Ellingson worked on Walk The Talk and State of Mind.
On CSI: Miami he played the son of David Caruso’s Lt. Horatio Caine and Julia Winston for 18 episodes from 2007-2010.
In 2009 came his major feature film role in My Sister’s Keeper with Diaz – marking the biggest role in his career.
Tragically his brother Austin, 22, would die from an overdose of Oxycontin and Xanax during production of the film.
Austin starred in 2001 movie Lay It Down – which was set against the world of street racing – as Young Ben.
Then: Evan is seen with Mel Gibson in 2004 when he starred on the Hollywood icon’s show Complete Savages
His mother described him as ‘a smart, popular, funny, outgoing kid who lived to make people smile and laugh.’
In 2013, Evan paid tribute to his brother to mark five years since his passing – as he shared a childhood throwback snap of the pair.
He captioned the snap: #RIP #Austin #My #older #brother #Miss #u’.
He would become a father that same year to daughter Brooke and would proudly share photos and updates on his little girl to social media.
In July 2009, he talked to Philstar Global about starting work in show business at a young age – and what he had missed out on.
He said: ‘I never had the same childhood experience with my friends.
‘I never had more time with them. However, my childhood was a cool one. I was busy doing the things I love. I had no regrets because I found my passion for acting early on.’
In 2010 the star seemingly dropped out of the spotlight and did not appear in any more Hollywood features.
In 2015 he revealed he had auditioned for a movie in a Twitter post – with the star periodically sharing photos of himself and speaking to fans on the platform.
Although it is not known if he had a partner at the time of his death, in 2014 he revealed he was engaged and set to wed soon in an Instagram post.
He wrote: ‘When my phone is off, email is down, and any other way of contacting me won’t work… I’ll be here, in paradise with my Beautiful soon to be wife..!’
Erik Von Detten, Jason Dolley, Andrew Eiden, Ellingson, Shaun Sipos and Keith Carradine arriving to the ABC 2004-2004 Upfront Party at Cipriani in New York City in 2004
In 2004: from left, Ellingson, Erik von Detten and Andrew Eiden at the Toontown Takes Hollywood charity event hosted by Disney Online
His last social media post was on July 14 and read ‘Hey :)’ with the star telling a fan he was ‘good’ at the time.
Ellingson was found dead in the bedroom of his sober living facility in Southern California’s city of Fontana in San Bernardino County on Sunday, according to a Monday report from TMZ.
His father Michael confirmed Evan’s passing to the site.
There appears to be no foul play involved, according to the coroner’s office, and the cause of death has not yet been shared.
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