Kevin Corcoran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kevin Corcoran
|
|
|---|---|
Kevin Corcoran in Savage Sam (1963)
|
|
| Born |
Kevin Anthony Corcoran
June 10, 1949 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
|
| Died | October 6, 2015 (aged 66) Burbank, California, U.S.
|
| Other names | "Moochie" |
| Alma mater | California State University, Northridge |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1954–2009 |
| Known for | The Shaggy Dog Swiss Family Robinson Toby Tyler |
|
Notable work
|
Moochie, Toby Tyler |
| Spouse(s) |
Laura Soltwedel
(m. 1972) |
| Relatives | Donna Corcoran (sister) Noreen Corcoran (sister) Kelly Corcoran (brother) |
Kevin Anthony "Moochie" Corcoran (June 10, 1949 – October 6, 2015) was a famous American child actor. He later became a director and producer. Kevin starred in many Disney movies and TV shows from 1957 to 1963. Because of his great work, he was named a Disney Legend in 2006. His fun nickname, Moochie, became well-known from his movie roles.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Kevin Corcoran was born in 1949 in Santa Monica, California. He was one of eight children in his family. His father, William "Bill" Corcoran Sr., worked as a police officer and later at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Kevin's mother, Kathleen McKenney, was from Quincy, Massachusetts. Many of Kevin's brothers and sisters also acted when they were young. Kevin's acting work is the most remembered.
Becoming "Moochie"
From 1956 to 1960, Kevin Corcoran played several characters who all shared the nickname "Moochie." Even though he wasn't a Mouseketeer, Kevin appeared in three Mickey Mouse Club TV series.
- He first played Moochie McCandless in Adventure in Dairyland.
- Then, he was Montgomery (Moochie) O'Hara in two Spin and Marty series. These were The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty and The New Adventures of Spin and Marty.
Kevin even wore a Mouseketeer outfit with "Moochie" on it once. This was for Disneyland: The Fourth Anniversary Show in 1957. In this show, "Mouseketeer" Moochie kept asking Walt Disney about the TV show Zorro.
Kevin continued his "Moochie" roles in movies too. He played Montgomery "Moochie" Daniels in the 1959 Disney film The Shaggy Dog. He also starred as Moochie Morgan in Moochie of the Little League (1959) and Moochie of Pop Warner Football (1960). These were part of the Disney TV series.
The "Moochie" character was often a little kid who wanted to hang out with older kids. He hated being treated like he was small. Moochie often got into trouble trying to be like his older friends. But he was always brave and ready for the next adventure.
Other Exciting Childhood Roles
Kevin Corcoran starred in many other Disney projects without the "Moochie" name. He also appeared in a few non-Disney films.
- He played Toby, an orphan who joins the circus, in Toby Tyler, or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960).
- He also starred as the main character in Disney's Johnny Shiloh. These were his only lead roles in movies shown in theaters.
Kevin had important co-starring roles in many other films:
- Old Yeller (1957) as Arliss Coates
- The Rabbit Trap (1959) as Duncan Colt
- Goliath II (1960) as the voice of Goliath II
- Pollyanna (1960) as Jimmy Bean
- Swiss Family Robinson (1960) as Francis Robinson
- Daniel Boone (1960 Disney miniseries) as James Boone
- Babes in Toyland (1961) as Boy Blue
- Aquamania (1961) as the voice of Goofy Jr.
- Bon Voyage! (1962) as Skipper Willard
- The Mooncussers (1962 Disney TV movie) as Jonathan Feather
- Savage Sam (1963) as Arliss Coates again
- A Tiger Walks (1964) as Tom Hadley
- Blue (1968) as Rory Calvin
Kevin Corcoran and Tommy Kirk often played brothers in movies. They were brothers in five films, starting with Old Yeller in 1957. Kevin usually played a lively character who loved animals. He would try to make friends with all kinds of animals, from puppies to tigers and bears.
Their other movies together included The Shaggy Dog (1959), Swiss Family Robinson (1960), Bon Voyage! (1962), and Savage Sam (1963). Fred MacMurray played their father in some films, and Dorothy McGuire played their mother in others.
Kevin mostly stopped acting after A Tiger Walks. He later said that his teachers on set helped him prepare well for college.
Behind the Camera: Adult Career
Kevin Corcoran went to California State University, Northridge. He earned a degree in theatre arts. After college, he returned to Disney, but this time he worked behind the scenes. He became an assistant director and producer.
Some of the Disney films he worked on include:
- Superdad (1973)
- The Island at the Top of the World (1974)
- Pete's Dragon (1977)
He also worked on The New Mickey Mouse Club in 1977. Kevin was an associate producer for Treasure of Matecumbe (1976), Return from Witch Mountain (1978), and The North Avenue Irregulars (1979). He co-produced Herbie Goes Bananas (1980). He also produced the TV shows Herbie, the Love Bug (1982) and Zorro and Son (1983).
Later, Kevin helped with Disney DVD releases. He provided comments and interviews for movies like The Shaggy Dog and Pollyanna. He also worked as a first assistant director on other TV shows. These included Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Quantum Leap, Profiler, and Karen Sisco. He also produced many projects. For the TV series Murder, She Wrote, he worked as an assistant director, assistant producer, and director.
Family Life
Kevin Corcoran had several brothers and sisters: Donna Corcoran, Noreen Corcoran, Hugh Corcoran, Brian Corcoran, Kerry Corcoran, and Kelly Corcoran. His older siblings Donna, Noreen, and Hugh also had many acting roles as children in the 1950s. Kevin Corcoran married Laura Soltwedel in 1972. They were married until his death.
Later Years and Honors
Kevin Corcoran passed away on October 6, 2015, at the age of 66.
On October 9, 2006, Kevin Corcoran was honored as a Disney Legend. This special award celebrates people who have made important contributions to the Disney company. Other people honored that year included Tim Considine and David Stollery, who starred in Kevin's Spin and Marty series. His frequent co-star, Tommy Kirk, was also honored.
