Jaws 2 star Marc Gilpin has died at the age of 56 after being diagnosed with cancer.

The actor died after a long battle with glioblastoma, also known as a brain tumour, his sister Frasier actress Peri Gilpin announced to The Hollywood Reporter.

A GoFundMe fundraiser to pay for Gilpin’s medical and household expenses had been set up in May last year, which explained doctors had discovered two tumours in his brain, one of which was inoperable ‘due to the location.’

Gilpin shot to fame after beating hundreds of boys to play Sean Brody, the younger son of Roy Scheider’s Police Chief Martin Brody, in the 1978 sequel to Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Jaws.

Throughout the late 70s and 80s, Gilpin was cast in multiple films, including the science fiction movie Earthbound and western The Legend of the Lone Ranger.

On the small screen, he appeared on NBC crime drama CHiPs, ABC fantasy drama Fantasy Island and sitcom Silver Spoons, which also starred The Fresh Prince’s Alfonso Ribeiro.

In 1985, Gilplin scored a role in made-for-television film Surviving alongside an all-star cast that included River Phoenix, Molly Ringwald and Heather O’Rouke.

Gilpin’s last role was as a parking attendant in 1989 coming-of-age movie She’s Out of Control, which featured Tony Danza, Ami Dolenz and Catherine Hicks.

After leaving the acting industry, Gilpin became a self-taught software engineer and was involved with a start-up company before working for another firm for which he earned several software patents, his family said.

Born in Austin, Texas on September 26, 1966, Gilpin was one of four siblings.

His sister April died in July 2017 at age 48, while another sister, Patti, died in 2020 at age 57.

Gilpin is survived by his wife of 24 years Kaki and their two sons Spencer, 18, and Presley, 16.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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