R.I.P. Marc Gilpin: Jaws 2 actor has passed away at 56

Fans have been celebrating the 45th anniversary of the release of Jaws 2 (watch it HERE), with Universal Pictures marking the anniversary by giving the film a 4K UHD release last month. But now the anniversary has a sadness to it, as it has been announced that actor Marc Gilpin, who played little Sean Brody in the movie, has passed away at the too-young age of 56, following a long battle with glioblastoma. His passing has been confirmed by his sister Peri Gilpin, an actress best known for playing the character Roz on the sitcom Frasier.

Marc Gilpin was born in Austin, Texas on September 26, 1966. His acting career started soon after, as he landed a role in a nationwide commercial for Exxon when he was just four years old. From there he appeared in an episode of the TV series Thunder and was cast in the title role of the family-friendly sci-fi comedy Where’s Willie? Then came Jaws 2.

While the roles of the Brody children, Michael and Sean, were filled by Chris Rebello and Jay Mello in the first Jaws, the roles were recast with Mark Gruner and Gilpin for Jaws 2. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gilpin answered a casting call and beat out hundreds of other boys to get hired as Sean. He was eleven when the movie was released.

Following Jaws 2, Gilpin had roles in the TV shows CHiPs, Fantasy Island, Flying High, CBS Afternoon Playhouse, Silver Spoons, and China Beach, as well as the films Earthbound, The Legend of the Lone Ranger, License to Kill (not the Bond movie), Surviving, Right to Kill?, and She’s Out of Control.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that, “After receiving strong notices for Surviving, Gilpin was spotted by manager Jerry Silverhardt in Williamstown, Massachusetts, while he was visiting Peri. Silverhardt wanted to sign him, and Gilpin was OK with that — but only if he would sign Peri as well.“

Gilpin’s acting career wrapped up in 1989, and from there he became a self-taught software engineer. His family said, “He was involved with a start-up company and then worked for another firm for which he earned several software patents.“

Sadly, Marc Gilpin is one of several Gilpin siblings who have passed away at young ages. His sister April was only 48 when she died in 2017, and his sister Patti died at the age of 57 in 2020. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Kaki, and their teenage sons Spencer and Presley. And, of course, Peri.

Our sincere condolences go out to Marc Gilpin’s family, friends, and fans.