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Tribute to a True Star
Deanna Wright's favorite photo of Josh:
Taken as he rode his very first roller coaster!
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From Juliet Mills (Tabitha Lenox):
From NBC Tribute Page
There's so much to say; it's hard to know where to begin. It is a very hard time for me, having to go back to work and knowing he isn't coming back to work. He's still very much there in my mind and my heart. Josh and I both realized we were very fortunate to work together. We had such rapport and we were so fond of each other. It wasn't difficult to do the scenes we did and have the fun we had, and let everyone who watched share in it.
I believe in reincarnation-all the things Tabitha believes. I believe we come back many times to perfect the soul. I believe that the physical body is just an overcoat to the soul and that the soul goes on. I know that he's around. I also believe that if you want to have a validation for that belief, you'll get one. There are signs-a sudden gust of wind when there is no breeze or a butterfly landing on your shoulder. I was walking in the park very early in the morning a few days after Josh had passed. I was saying, "Come on Josh-give me a sign." And this snow white egret flew right beside me along the running track. I've never seen a white egret in the park before. I just took that as a sign. I said, "That's it. Thank you, Josh." If you are looking, you just might see something and it's a comfort. That makes it a little easier to deal with. I believe that he's with us. All of us that loved him have another guardian angel up there.
Josh always wanted to be a star. He drew a star on all his autographs, along with his motto-"Dream Big." Since he was a little boy of five in hospitals having endless heart operations, he started to watch TV. He became a great movie buff. That's what he decided he wanted to be and do. He wanted to entertain and give people pleasure. Who would have thought that a little boy of 3 foot 2 could become a household name and have done such great work? But he did. He left his mark. And he gave a legendary exit. That was very "starry" of him-to die on the day that Timmy died. It's almost like he orchestrated it! I could believe he would-he was a very powerful human being. He was a fairy person-a little fairy person. He believed in magic and he made magic happen.
I have a truckload of wonderful memories of him. And he'll be with me always.
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From McKenzie Westmore (Sheridan Crane):
I must say that my heart is absolutely broken right now over the loss of our dear
"Timmy"! Josh was such an amazing soul - he had such a huge heart filled with so
much love and laughter! He was such an inspiration to me as well as all who knew
him - his outlook on life was one that we could all learn from - to always Dream
Big! I feel so blessed to have worked with him, but more importantly to have
known him! My heart and Prayers go out to his mother and family! I know that
Josh is watching over all of us right now because Heaven was made for people
like him!
We Love You Josh and you will never be forgotten!!
God Bless!!
xo
From NBC Tribute Page:
Josh was such an amazing human being and was such an inspiration to me,
and to everyone. He knew how to live life. He had such a huge heart. He
inspired me to live life to its fullest--that nothing can stop you and
that dreams are achievable no matter what. Josh was someone who proved
that nothing can hold you back and nothing can stop a dream. He inspired
us every day with his work and with his smile. I know that he's watching
over us. Heaven was made for people like him.
I've been thinking a lot about the scene we did together, when Timmy
kisses Sheridan. I got to know him so well that day. His mom kept telling
me that he was nervous because it was his first kiss. But really, it was
an honor for me.
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From Galen Gering (Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald):
As I'm sure most of you have heard by now, we lost the beloved Josh Ryan Evans last night. As sad
as it is that he's gone I must say he led a very full life. "Dream Big", that
was his motto. And that was the advice he used to tell people when they asked
him if he thought they could make it as an actor. He would say things like,
"...hey if I've done it certainly you can", and flash that charming and
mischievous little smile of his. He was such a courageous person who never seemed
to be daunted by his physical limitations and he was always so proud and excited
by his work. For Christmas two years ago he gave me The Grinch CD, but he had
taken out Jim Carrey's picture and replaced it with one of his. At first, I
admit, I found it a little odd that he had done such a thing, but then I
realized, hey, he should be proud of what he's done...imagine if you were in his
shoes. I would have been proud to have just gotten up in the morning and not
felt sorry for myself, not to mention held my own in a blockbuster movie. It's
impossible for me to imagine our show without him. His energy, spirit and
strength will be missed. I'm sure I speak for all of you when I say, Josh we
love you.
From NBC Tribute Page:
Everyday on my way to and from set I pass Josh's room. And boy did he love
Star Wars. Honestly, in my whole life I'd never seen so much memorabilia.
I would always joke that if he were late to set we should just check his
room 'cause he'd most likely just been buried under an avalanche of Yoda,
Princess Leia, and Han Solo figurines. I wish that's where he was. I wish
we could go in there and rummage around until we heard his little laugh
(Josh had the best laugh) and pull him out from under a pile of Lucas
collectibles and tell him, "Josh, I told you this was gonna happen
someday," and watch him run off to set to act, that which he loved to do
best. But alas, we can't.
Now when I pass his room it's very different. There is less stuff. Gone
is the fantasy and mysticism. It's been replaced by flowers and candles
and poems and words of sympathy that are supposed to make us all feel
better somehow. But they don't. They make me feel worse. They are
confirmations of this sad reality, the fact that he's gone. I know I
should take satisfaction that he was a part of my life and I got to share
in his laughter and joy. It's just hard. It's so easy to say 'everything
happens for a reason' and he was sent here on a mission and whatever his
job was it was done. But again it's a whole other thing to really
subscribe to it.
One of the worst parts about losing someone suddenly is that you never
feel you got to say enough to them. Or perhaps you said too much. I dunno,
It's just never right. I don't even know what I'd say to him if I had the
chance. I guess I'd thank him. Yeah, I would. Not only for touching me,
but thousands of others. He was an inspiration. A leader who led by doing.
Someone with strength and courage far beyond his years. He will be missed
by his family, and his Passion's family, and his friends throughout the
world. And to Josh, if you can hear me, I'm happy for you because I know
you're in a peaceful place, but trust me when I say we wish we had you back.
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From Deanna Wright (Kay Bennett):
From NBC Tribute Page
The first time I met Josh, I'd only been on the show for about a week or
two, and I was forever getting lost on the sound stages. (It gets
confusing, because they always move things around and change the sets).
After opening my fourth wrong door, I asked no one in particular, "How the
heck do you get out of here?" Josh came walking up and said, "I'll make
you a deal-if you open all the doors, then I'll lead you out." From that
first meeting, I knew Josh had a very special spirit, and over the next
two years working with him, I learned more and more about him that
confirmed my first impression.
For many reasons, Josh was the most inspirational person I've ever met.
I never heard him say a negative word about anyone or anything-except
maybe 6:30am calls to make-up. He could have chosen to be a victim of his
size. Instead, he chose to turn it into an asset to help him achieve his
dream, which was simply to make others happy by taking them away from
their problems. He succeeded brilliantly.
His fans, he touched through his wonderful character Timmy. His
coworkers, he touched by being himself. Despite his height, he was so much
larger than life. Whether he was doing a one-man entertainment show (which
he did very often!) or joking that he didn't drink coffee because it
stunts growth, he usually commanded the attention of everyone in a room with him.
He didn't know it, but he taught me that no matter what stood in my
way, I could achieve my dreams. He had such a generous spirit and my hope
is that all that knew him, loved him, and learned from him can pass on the
gifts he gave us to the rest of the world. Because that way he'll live on
within us forever. I miss you, Kiddo!
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From Justin Carroll (David Hastings):
Tuesday, August 06, 2002
I just found out.......I can't believe it....but it's true....Josh Evans has
passed on...Please pray for him and his mother...who must be devastated.......I am dumbstruck....he was so young....and had everything going for him.....He
was a huge Star wars fan......I like to think he's sitting with Yoda........oh
God...this is such a tragedy....
Thursday, August 08, 2002
Wow...long day...my first day back since Josh has died....everyone is trying to
make it through the day.......as best they can.....Josh's room has become a
shrine to him...it's open and full of candles and pics of him in different
costumes...with people like Ally McBeal....George Lucas, Steven Speilberg and
Harrison Ford....his posters of The Star Wars series.....a couple of Yoda....and
other Star Wars things...the one that really struck me was one saying "The force
shall always be with you"......The force was with Josh alright....He
accomplished so much...he helped put Passions on the map...he played so many
characters....he did Blockbusters....and the best TV shows...and all by the age
of twenty....but not even your average twenty....way under four feet
tall.....with heart problems no less.....they say the odds of succeeding as an
Actor are slim....well then Josh's odds were anorexic at best...yet he
rocked....he did more then most could dream of in a lifetime.......It was
difficult for him to get into the make-up chair...to hold a script....yet none
of it stopped him.....he had dreams....Big dreams...and he made them
happen....against all odds...I respect that......he has given us all so
much.....in so many ways.....from Entertainment...to simple hope....he showed us
that anyone who wants it enough...and is determined....and dreams big...can make
those dreams come true with hard work...no matter how crazy they may sound...I
shall cherish this gift......I am so honored to have met him...Josh was first and foremost...an Entertainer....the fact that he died on the same day the show aired him
dying.....Well that's Josh and his sense of drama for you....breaking yet
another record no doubt....R.I.P. JEDI KNIGHT
Sunday, August 11, 2002
The memorial service was very beautiful, I think Josh would of enjoyed it
tremendously...he may well have been there...I know not of these things....I can
tell you this...He touched many people in his life....There wasn't a dry eye in
the chapel...He was loved by so many....even those who barely knew him.....He is
such an inspiration...he gave so much....
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From Eric Martsolf (Ethan Winthrop):
From NBC Tribute Page
As a very new member to the cast of Passions, I only knew Josh for a
wrinkle of time. But that was all it took for him to make a very lasting
impression on me. I've never come across so much charisma, insight,
sensitivity, and courage rolled up into such a small package before. I
regret that I will be unable to share my work space with him again, but I
know his spirit will envelop that space from this moment on. God bless
you.From Ben Masters (Julian Crane):
From NBC Tribute Page
In life, you come across people who are extra special at different times
and you realize that you are in the presence of someone who is extra
special. I believe that Josh is one of those people. I believe that the
courage that he possessed and the courage that he used in life is
something that we should all hope that we have a fraction of in our own
lives. He was a remarkable young man who did not get to live long enough,
and I loved him.
From Bruce Michael Hall (Resse Durkee):
From NBC Tribute Page
Josh was such a sweet guy and I'm going to miss him. I spent three years
chasing him around Harmony! Those scenes were so much fun-they were my
favorites. A funny story was when Kay crawled into my sleeping bag and I
had the kissing scene with Josh. For days before we did it, I kept teasing
Josh that I was going to plant one on him! He was like-no! When we did it,
he turned around in the sleeping bag and I had an arm around him. He was
trying to wiggle out. They called cut and I pretended I was asleep. He was
just a really nice guy...the best. I'm going to miss him.
From Ryan McPartlin (Hank Bennett):
As you probably know already, our friend Josh Ryan Evans has passed away. I
don't have the words to express the sorrow this loss has created. I can only say
that I love being a part of the Passions family and all of our hearts are broken
by the loss of this special family member. Thank you all for your concern, I
know each of you share in this sorrow and it'll take all our love and support to
pull through it. As we all do, Josh loved coming into each of your homes each
day. A smile will always light up my face when I think of him.
Sincerely,
Ryan McPartlin
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From Rodney Van Johnson (TC Russel):
From NBC Tribute Page
Life is very personal to me, but I would like to extend my prayers to Josh
and to his family. He was the show and he is sorely missed. But I know he
is in a much better place now. He's happy and it's all good. He's at peace.
From Jack Krizmanich (John Hastings):
From NBC Tribute Page
Knowing Josh for only a short while, I found him to be a very kind-hearted
person. He was very pleasant to work with and a joy to be around. I will
miss him and keep him in my prayers.
From Marianne Muellerleile (Norma):
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Josh Ryan Evans, the amazing actor who
embued "Timmy" with so much heart and merriment. A great part of the
pleasure of working on PASSIONS was due to working with Josh. It must be said
that he made a lasting impact during his brief life by spreading joy and
laughter to millions. Thank you, Josh. With love, Marianne From Donn Swaby (Chad Harris):
I am sad that Josh is gone. He was a very cool guy, just a very
decent, good person and a hard worker. I will miss him. |
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From Jim Reilly, Lisa Hesser and the whole Passions family:
From NBC Tribute Page
To his legions of fans, Josh's portrayal of Tabitha's living doll, Timmy, will
forever live in their hearts. To his family here at Passions, and his
real-life family and friends, there aren't enough words to fill the
void in our hearts. Josh was a unique and talented individual who
"Dreamed Big" and succeeded even bigger. His sense of humor,
ever-present smile, and courageous spirit will continue to inspire us
to dream big on his behalf. |
Here's a Martimmy for you, Josh! We will always remember you...
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