Henry ‘Hank’ Deutschendorf has died aged just 29.
Henry, who played the role of baby Oscar alongside his twin brother William in Ghostbusters II, passed away from a suspected suicide it is thought.
TMZ reports Henry’s body was discovered by his brother William who released a candid and honest statement about his brother shortly afterwards.
It read:
Some knew him as Baby Oscar in Ghostbusters 2 or John Denver’s nephew. Others knew him as a brother, son, martial artist, teacher, uncle, or friend.
What people do not know about Hank was that he suffered from schizoaffective disorder. It is a chronic mental health condition which is a combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
He experienced hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania. It is a very severe mental illness that usually requires a lifetime of treatment.
The statement continued:
By the end he had 25 voices, all with different personalities and opinions, but mostly agreeing they did not like Hank.
On June 14th, Hank lost his battle to schizophrenia. I will remember him as my best friend, my partner, my brother, and the bravest man I have ever known.
Ghostbusters II was Henry’s only ever acting credit but the brothers continued working together as Martial Arts instructors in California. Together the Deutschendorf brothers owned the West Coast Martial Arts Academy.
In an interview in 2014, the brothers claimed they wanted to return to acting if the opportunity ever arose but in between studying and running a business, they couldn’t find the time.
RIP Henry.
If you or anyone you knows suffers from schizophrenia, there is help out there. Please do not hesitate to contact charities like Mind, the Hearing Voices Network or the Schizophrenia Commission to get the help you or a loved one needs.
Taking the idea of ‘being woke’ to a whole new level over a decade-long career in sport, court and online news, George has worked for titles and agencies including ESPN FC, Eurosport, LADbible and Court News UK. He may not have a degree but does have an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings.