The tragic life and times of Evan Ellingson: The former child star’s brother died of a drug overdose in 2008 – with the star facing his own addiction struggles before dying of shock in a sober living home at the age of 35
Former child star Evan Ellingson tragically died at just 35 years old in the bedroom of his sober living complex in California.
The actor – who starred opposite Cameron Diaz in the 2009 film My Sister’s Keeper – was a hugely successful movie star in his teens – but disappeared from the spotlight in 2010 after a final appearance in CSI: Miami.
Amid the success, Ellingson was struck by tragedy. His older brother Austin Ellingson – who was also an actor – died in 2008 at the age of 22 from a drug overdose during the filming of My Sister’s Keeper.
That same year, Evan would welcome his only child, daughter Brooklynn.
Evan would go on to endure his own battle with drug addiction, with his father making it clear that the actor had done better in recent years and was in recovery at the time of his death.
Sad loss: Former child star Evan Ellingson tragically died Sunday at just 35 in the bedroom of his sober living facility in California — he had previously struggled with drug addiction and endured the loss of his brother to an overdose. Seen in 2009
Brothers: Amid the success, Ellingson was struck by tragedy. His older brother Austin Ellingson – who was also an actor – died in 2008 at the age of 22 from a drug overdose during the filming of My Sister’s Keeper – Evan paid tribute to his brother in 2013 (pictured)
The actor was born in La Verne in Southern California, where he grew up with three brothers.
He was known as a sports enthusiast who enjoyed surfing, skating and mountain climbing.
At the age of 10, he was discovered at a skate park and asked to compete with the Vans PeeWee team and star in a commercial, kick-starting his career in entertainment.
His first acting role was in the 2001 TV movie Living In Fear, in which he played ‘young Chuck’ at the age of 12.
He next appeared as Young Luke Spencer in a 2001 episode of the soap opera General Hospital.
Then came a small role as Alden Boy in 2001’s The Gristle.
From 2001 to 2002, he starred in 10 episodes of the TV series Titus with Christopher Titus and Stacy Keach.
He then appeared on Mad TV as Church Camp Boy, and in Time Changer as Roger.
In 2003 he played Adam in the short film Rules Of The Game, and in 2005 he had a role as Benjamin Givens in the film Confession starring Pete Greene and Chris Pine.
It was back to TV with Complete Savages; Evan appeared in 19 episodes from 2004 to 2005.
A hit film: Seen on the left in 2009’s My Sister’s Keeper with Abigail Breslin
Double tragedy: Tragically, his brother Austin, 22, died of an Oxycontin and Xanax overdose during filming in 2008 – Austin starred in the 2001 film Lay It Down – set in the world of street racing – as Young Ben (pictured)
Low profile: The star is seen in a photo shared with X in 2016
In 2010, the star seemingly disappeared from the spotlight and stopped appearing in Hollywood films – he can be seen in 2013
TV Actor: The Star. left, was best known for his work with David Caruso, right, in the TV series CSI
On the red carpet: From left to right: Cameron Diaz, Sofia Vassilieva, Abigail Breslin, Ellingson and Jason Patric at the New York premiere of My Sister’s Keeper in 2009 – the year after Evan welcomed a daughter
Cryptic: Although it is not known if he had a partner at the time of his death, he revealed in an Instagram post in 2014 that he was engaged and would soon be married
In 2005, he played David Cook in an episode of Bones with David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel.
In the 2006 film The Bondage, he played Mark Edwards opposite Michael Angarano and also had a role as ‘Kid Marine’ in Clint Eastwood’s epic war film Letters From Iwo Jima.
Evan got another TV series the following year: in 2007, he was cast as Josh Bauer, the cousin of Kiefer Sutherland’s counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer in the thriller 24.
He appeared in a total of ten episodes of the critically acclaimed series in which Jack faced assassination attempts, nuclear attacks, bioterrorism, torture, traitors and sleeper cells.
Ellingson then worked on Walk The Talk and State of Mind.
On CSI: Miami he played the son of David Caruso’s Lt. Horatio Caine and Julia Winston for 18 episodes from 2007-2010.
In 2009, he had his major feature film role in My Sister’s Keeper with Diaz – the biggest role of his career.
Tragically, his brother Austin, 22, would die of an overdose of Oxycontin and Xanax during the film’s production.
Austin starred in the 2001 film Lay It Down – which was set in the world of street racing – as Young Ben.
Then: Evan is seen with Mel Gibson in 2004 when he starred in the Hollywood icon’s show Complete Savages
His mother described him as “a smart, popular, funny, outgoing kid who lived to make people laugh.”
In 2013, Evan paid tribute to his brother to mark five years since his death, when he shared a childhood photo of the pair.
He captioned the photo: #RIP #Austin #My #older #brother #Miss #u’.
He would become a father to daughter Brooke that same year and would proudly share photos and updates about his little girl on social media.
In July 2009, he spoke to Philstar Global about starting work in show business at a young age – and what he missed.
He said: ‘I never had the same childhood experience with my friends.
“I never had time with them again. My childhood was cool though. I was busy doing the things I like. I haven’t regretted it because I found my passion for acting at an early age.’
In 2010, the star seemingly disappeared from the spotlight and stopped appearing in Hollywood films.
In 2015, he revealed he had auditioned for a film in a Twitter post, with the star regularly sharing photos of himself and speaking to fans on the platform.
Although it is unknown whether he had a partner at the time of his death, he revealed in an Instagram post in 2014 that he was engaged and would soon be married.
He wrote, “If my phone is turned off, email is down and any other way to contact me won’t work… I will be here, in paradise with my beautiful, soon to be wife… !’
Erik Von Detten, Jason Dolley, Andrew Eiden, Ellingson, Shaun Sipos and Keith Carradine arrive at the ABC 2004-2004 Upfront Party at Cipriani in New York City in 2004
In 2004: From left to right, Ellingson, Erik von Detten and Andrew Eiden at the Toontown Takes Hollywood charity event hosted by Disney Online
His last social media post was on July 14 and read “Hey :),” with the star telling a fan that he was “good” at the time.
Ellingson was found dead Sunday in the bedroom of his sober living complex in the city of Fontana in Southern California’s San Bernardino County, according to a Monday report from TMZ.
His father Michael confirmed Evan’s death to the location.
According to the coroner’s office, there does not appear to be any foul play and the cause of death has not yet been released.