Marc Gilpin dead aged 56: Jaws 2 actor and brother of Frasier star passes away after a long battle with cancer

Jaws 2 star Marc Gilpin has passed away aged 56 after a long battle with cancer.

The Hollywood child actor was known for his role as the younger son of Roy Scheider’s Police Chief Martin Brody in the 1978 sequel to Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film. 

Marc’s older sister Peri Gilpin, who is an actress who starred in sitcom Frasier, confirmed the news of her brother’s death, reports The Hollywood Reporter. 

The actor heartbreakingly died in Dallas, Texas after a battle with glioblastoma – a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour. 

In May last year, a fundraiser was set up for Marc, his wife Kaki and their sons in a bid to help the family as they ‘faced the unimaginable’, while the star continued to fight the disease.

Role: The Hollywood child actor was known for his role as the younger son of Roy Scheider’s Police Chief Martin Brody in the 1978 sequel to Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film (both pictured)

It was discovered that month that Marc had two tumours on his brain, with it said that one of the tumours were centrally located, meaning that it could not be surgically removed due to its location. 

In addition to Marc’s health battle, the family faced financial woes as the former child actor lost his job, while his elementary school teacher wife Kaki had to give up her job to car for him.

The campaign page reads: ‘As if this is not enough for this family of four to endure, they are also dealing with significant financial stress. Recently Marc lost his job along with his company paid insurance plan and has been actively pursuing new employment.

‘Facing this medical crisis, Marc is clearly unable to gain employment at this time. His wife, Kaki, is an elementary school teacher which is the most admirable profession but sadly also very underpaid. 

‘Given the current crisis situation they are in, Kaki has had to take FMLA time off of work to navigate all of the doctor appointments, treatments and more. Therefore, her salary is even more reduced during this period.’

In a later update on the page, GoFundMe organiser Kim Parks wrote: ‘The tumor has not grown, shrunk some, and had no new satellites. Neuro Oncologist very encouraged by the response to treatment.’

The page continued to receive kind words of support and donations, even up until the week of his death. 

Marc beat hundred of other young actors to land the role as the chief’s son Sean Brody in Jaw 2, with the hit film hitting cinemas when Marc was 11-years-old.

Big break: Marc beat hundred of other young actors to land the role as the chief’s son Sean Brody in Jaw 2, with the hit film hitting cinemas when Marc was 11-years-old

Actors: He starred alongside Roy and Lorraine Gary, who returned to the franchise to play his onscreen mother (all pictured). While Mark Gruner joined as Marc’s older onscreen brother Michael

He starred alongside Roy and Lorraine Gary, who returned to the franchise to play his onscreen mother. While Mark Gruner joined as Marc’s older onscreen brother Michael.   

A year later, Marc went on to appear on NBC’s CHiPs, while he also featured on ABC’s Fantasy Island alongside his younger sister April. 

He then went on to star in The Legend of the Long Ranger in 1981 before later appearing in Earthbound.

Other acting credits included NBC’s Silver Spoons and ABC’s China Beach, as well as the 1989 movie She’s Out of Control.