The live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas has become a holiday classic, but fans may not know one of its most memorable stars died just two years after the film’s release.
Actor Joshua Ryan Evans died at age 20 not long after winning fans’ hearts as the 8-year-old Grinch in the Ron Howard–directed Christmas movie. Evans, who lived with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, died as a result of a medical procedure to correct a congenital heart condition at a San Diego hospital in August 2002.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which hit theaters in November 2000, marked Evans’ second-to-last acting credit before his death. Evans famously appeared as the younger version of Jim Carrey’s Grinch in a flashback sequence explaining the character’s dislike for Christmas. Adopted by two Whoville residents, the young Grinch tries to impress his crush, Martha May Whovier, by shaving his face, but cuts himself in the process. After being laughed at by his classmates and teacher, the young Grinch flees to Mount Crumpit and vows to hate Christmas.
Though Evans’ version of the Grinch was only 8 years old, the actor was a teenager when he filmed the movie. His achondroplasia made him appear younger than his actual age, standing at only 3-foot-2. Evans also suffered from a congenital heart condition that caused him to undergo several surgeries during his childhood.
Actors You Forgot Starred in ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’
As a result of being homebound by his medical issues, frequently watching TV shows and movies inspired Evans to become an actor. “I thought, if it’s all pretend, why can’t I do that,” he told the Los Angeles Times in a November 2000 interview.
Evans got his acting start on TV shows such as Family Matters, Ally McBeal, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats and 7th Heaven before booking How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He also starred as Timmy the living doll on the NBC soap opera Passions from 1999 to 2002.
In an odd Hollywood coincidence, Evans died the same day as an episode of Passions aired where his character died and donated his heart.
Evans’ role in How the Grinch Stole Christmas was originally meant to be a small one, but his skills inspired Howard, 70, to expand the part. “As it turned out, he was able to create a character and generate a lot of heart for the story,” the director told the Los Angeles Times in November 2000. “It was such a pleasant surprise. The days working with Jim were always amazing, but Josh was just delightful.”
Christmas Movie Kids Then and Now: ‘Home Alone,’ ‘The Holiday,’ More
Similar to Carrey, 62, Evans spent several hours in the makeup chair. “I have had heart surgery three times, so I know what it was like to have pins and needles stuck in you,” he told the newspaper. His mother, Cheryl Evans, added: “At one point, we were there 16 hours and I was ready to pull him. Then Ron said, ‘Action,’ and he just came to life.”
At the time, Evans said he would “never have forgiven myself” if he was pulled from the film. “I came close [to pulling myself]. I had two days left and I knew I had to go back. It was in the morning and, while getting up and putting on my clothes, I did not want to go,” he shared. “The night before I was yelling at my mom every minute she was saying something.”
Before his death, Evans was considering his options behind the camera as well. “Ron gave me an offer to intern because I asked him if I could observe him,” he recalled. “I can’t think too far ahead. I am feeling better than I have ever felt. I love being an actor. I love my work. I love the payoff.”
