{{Short description|American actor (1992–2021)}} {{Infobox actor | name = Houston Tumlin | birth_name = Houston Lee Tumlin<ref>{{cite web |title=Obituary of Houston Lee Tumlin |url=https://usreyfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/3480/Houston-Tumlin/obituary.html#:~:text=He%20is%20survived%20by%20his,many%20other%20loving%20family%20members. |website=usreyfuneralhome.com}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date|1992|12|27}}<ref>[https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/houston-tumlin-talladega-nights-child-actor-dead-28/FC7SLZ66YJHU3E6KIJS6OBZ6SE/ Houston Tumlin, ‘Talladega Nights’ child actor, dead at 28]</ref> | birth_place = Pell City, Alabama, U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|2021|3|23|1992|12|27}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin death: Talladega Nights child actor 'experienced PTSD' from army service before suicide |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/houston-tumlin-death-talladega-nights-b1823754.html |website=www.independent.co.uk|date=29 March 2021 }}</ref> | death_place = Pelham, Alabama, U.S. | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2005–2006 | education = Victory Christian High School<ref>{{cite web |title=Talladega Nights Star Houston Tumlin Dead by Suicide at 28 |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1251993/talladega-nights-star-houston-tumlin-dead-by-suicide-at-28 |website=www.eonline.com|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref> | module = {{Infobox military person | embed = yes | branch = United States Army | service_years = 2014–2019 | rank = Sergeant<ref>{{cite web |title='Talladega Nights' actor Houston Tumlin battled depression and PTSD prior to death |url=https://torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrity/talladega-nights-actor-houston-tumlin-battled-depression-and-ptsd-prior-to-death |website=torontosun.com}}</ref> | unit = 101st Airborne Division | commands = | battles = | awards = Achievement Medal <br /> National Defense Service Medal <br /> Global War on Terrorism Service Medal <br /> Air Assault Badge }} }}
'''Houston Lee Tumlin''' (December 27, 1992 – March 23, 2021) was an American child actor best known for his only acting role as Walker Bobby in the sports comedy film ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'' (2006).<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin Dies: 'Talladega Nights' Child Star Was 28; Director Adam McKay Remembers "Joyful And Talented" Actor |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/houston-tumlin-dead-obituary-talladega-nights-child-actor-1234721117/ |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref> ==Early life and education== Tumlin was born Houston Lee Tumlin on December 27, 1992 in Pell City, Alabama, the son of Craig and Michelle (née Carter) Tumlin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congratulations to our March Business of the Month! Houston Project On March 23, 2022 Craig and Michelle Tumlin opened the doors to Houston Project, a 501C3 charitable organization. The nonprofit was born out of a mother's wish to honor her son and educate the general public regarding mental illness and veteran suicide with a determination and hope of preventing what happened to Houston Tumlin from happening to others suffering from PTSD, depression, and CTE. Their mission is saving lives by delivering hope to hurting veterans. Their son brought great joy to many, he was funny, kind, giving and talented. He will never be forgotten. Houston Project has also raised money for a Tiny Home for Veterans, raised awareness and funds though several events, and more. If you'd like to be involved, donate, or purchase items, visit them at 1916 Cogswell Avenue, Pell City. All profits from sales and events go to local veterans. |url=https://www.facebook.com/pellcitychamber/posts/pfbid0p8Ce9YCf3D3N189TFJMFn7XWQk16MncHnvufQj1YaCFE1JymYpmyn3femASNYJakl |website=facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carrying on his name. |url=https://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2022/10/17/carrying-on-his-name-mother-of-pelham-actor-starts-nonprofit-for-veterans-in-his-name/ |website=www.shelbycountyreporter.com|date=17 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Talladega Nights Star Houston Tumlin's Mom Reveals What Led To His Suicide |url=https://perezhilton.com/houston-tumlin-cause-of-suicide-revealed-talladega-nights/ |website=perezhilton.com}}</ref> He had an older brother named Tyler (b. 1988) and a younger sister named Hayden (b. 1998).<ref>{{cite web |title=Who was Houston Tumlin? Tragic story of 'Talladega Nights' child star who shot himself and died by suicide at 28 |url=https://meaww.com/houston-tumlin-child-star-28-will-ferrell-son-suicide-death-shoot-himself-talageda-nights-family |website=meaww.com|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Lee Tumlin |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailyhome/name/houston-tumlin-obituary?id=17823418 |website=www.legacy.com}}</ref> Tumlin attended Victory Christian High School in Pell City and graduated in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Lee Tumlin graduated from Victory Christian High School in Pell City in 2011 and served in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army at Fort Campbell, Ky. |url=https://www.facebook.com/dailyhomenewspaper/posts/pfbid05LwxGAGEKfL3p6P245JnZziN8bN6XFfqQQ9bsAQxJkiQ5WpEraJQxTnHhQTd8HBEl |website=facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='His voice on this earth' Michelle Tumlin dedicates nonprofit to her son Houston |url=https://www.newsaegis.com/news/his-voice-on-this-earth-michelle-tumlin-dedicates-nonprofit-to-her-son-houston/article_9fa59c14-aadf-11ec-83df-fb14bbea9d9d.html |website=www.newsaegis.com|date=24 March 2022 }}</ref>
==Career== ===Acting career=== Tumlin portrayed Walker Bobby, one of the two sons of Will Ferrell's character Ricky Bobby, in the film ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'' in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin, child actor in 'Talladega Nights,' dies at 28 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/houston-tumlin-child-actor-talladega-nights-dies-28-n1261980 |website=www.nbcnews.com|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Former 'Talladega Nights' child actor Houston Tumlin dies at 28 |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/houston-tumlin-talladega-nights-child-actor-dies-28-t212889 |website=www.today.com|date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324213055/https://www.today.com/popculture/houston-tumlin-talladega-nights-child-actor-dies-28-t212889 |archive-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>
===Military career=== He served in the U.S. Army for nearly six years and earned achievement and decorations as an E-5 Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division,<ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin, 'Talladega Nights' Child Actor, Dead at 28 |url=https://www.kare11.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/houston-tumlin-talladega-nights-child-actor-dead-at-28/603-035f9496-7ead-4c25-b8bd-96ce801290c0 |website=www.kare11.com|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref> including the Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and an Air Assault Badge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Army Vet Houston Tumlin, Star of 'Talladega Nights,' Dead at 28 |url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/movies/2021/03/25/army-vet-houston-tumlin-star-of-talladega-nights-dead-28.html |website=www.military.com|date=25 March 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=In Memory of SGT Houston Lee Tumlin, US Army December 27, 1992 – March 23, 2021 Camp Humphreys, Korea Houston was a child actor for years; he was known for his part in Talladega Nights, and played Will Ferrell's son, Walker Bobby. He played football and baseball all through school. He loved his time serving in the 101st Airborne Division at Ft Campbell, earning his air assault wings was his greatest accomplishment. He left the Army with full honors in 2019 and he missed it every day until the day he left this world. Houston struggled for 4 years with PTSD, depression and alcoholism. We later found out that he also had CTE (brain trauma) from multiple concussions, which doctors say aided in his death by suicide. My goal as his mother is to fight for him, to be his voice on this earth, and to help with awareness. There is help out there. He called Alabama home and his resting place is the military section at St. Clair Memorial Gardens, Pell City, AL. #22TooMany #OurHeroes are #NeverForgotten |url=https://www.facebook.com/22TooMany/posts/pfbid0RLsM2hJYY7wpm6kTcg9Sq1NzFteDELQLbZKhHMGRHUs5gbQBasEye6JwoWzUEbjSl |website=facebook.com}}</ref>
== Filmography ==
=== Film === {|class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2006 | ''Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'' | Walker Bobby | <ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin, 'Talladega Nights' child actor, dies by suicide at 28 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/03/24/talladega-nights-actor-houston-tumlin-dies-28/6988017002/ |website=www.usatoday.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Houstin Tumlin, 'Talledega Nights' co-star and Army veteran, dies by suicide at 28 |url=https://wshechicago.com/houstin-tumlin-talledega-nights-co-star-and-army-veteran-dies-by-suicide-at-28/ |website=wshechicago.com|date=24 March 2021 }}</ref> |- |}
==Personal life== According to his mother, he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression after his service in the military.<ref>{{cite web |title=Decorated Army Veteran, Talladega Nights star diagnosed with CTE at VA-BU-CLF Brain Bank |url=https://concussionfoundation.org/news/press-release/decorated-army-veteran-talladega-nights-star-diagnosed-cte |website=concussionfoundation.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Tumlin, 'Talladega Nights' child actor, dead at 28 |url=https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/houston-tumlin-talladega-nights-child-actor-dead-28/FC7SLZ66YJHU3E6KIJS6OBZ6SE/ |website=www.kiro7.com|date=25 March 2021 }}</ref>
==Death== Tumlin died by suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot on March 23, 2021, at his home in Pelham, Alabama.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-03-24 |title=The actor who played young Walker Bobby in Talladega Nights has died |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/talladega-nights-actor-houston-tumlin-dead-at-28/news-story/fad3af577c7bba4aef195706b3b10aae |access-date=2021-04-17 |website=NewsComAu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Talladega Nights Child Star Houston Tumlin Struggled with PTSD and Depression Before Death, Says Mom |url=https://people.com/movies/talladega-nights-child-star-houston-tumlin-struggling-with-ptsd-prior-to-death/ |access-date=2021-04-17 |website=People}}</ref> He was 28 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-25|title=Houston Tumlin obituary: Talladega Nights actor dies at 28|url=https://www.legacy.com/news/celebrity-deaths/houston-tumlin-1992-2021-child-actor-in-talladega-nights/|access-date=2021-04-17|website=Legacy.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-24|title='Talladega Nights' actor Houston Tumlin dead at 28|url=https://nypost.com/2021/03/24/talladega-nights-actor-houston-tumlin-dead-at-28/|access-date=2022-01-05|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Legacy== In March 2022, Tumlin's mother Michelle opened the non-profit organization entitled ''The Houston Project'' in their home town of Pell City which provides mental health and financial care for veterans and their families.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Pell City store will raise money for veterans and honor the memory of Houston Tumlin |url=https://www.annistonstar.com/the_st_clair_times/stclair_news/new-pell-city-store-will-raise-money-for-veterans-and-honor-the-memory-of-houston/article_ddc3b340-aaf9-11ec-bdfc-1b410b5f5bab.html |website=www.annistonstar.com|date=23 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Houston Project Official Facebook Page |url=https://www.facebook.com/monkeybizniss/ |website=facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Helping area veterans and honoring a military son's memory |url=https://discoverstclair.com/remembering-veterans/houston-project/ |website=discoverstclair.com|date=6 October 2022 }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tumlin, Houston}} Category:1992 births Category:2021 deaths Category:2021 suicides Category:21st-century American male actors Category:American male child actors Category:American male film actors Category:People from Pelham, Alabama Category:People with post-traumatic stress disorder Category:Suicides by firearm in Alabama Category:United States Army soldiers Category:Actors and actresses who died by suicide Category:Male suicides Category:American military personnel who died by suicide
==External links== * {{IMDb name|nm2121869}}