
	BRAD RENFRO DIES

Release Date:

January 15, 2008

Press Release:

The Hollywood Reporter

A friend of Jennifer Love Hewitt's takes his final bow.....

Brad Renfro and Jennifer Love Hewitt in 1998 at the Teen People magazine party for the first publication of the magazine with Hewitt on the cover.

Brad Renfro (Circa 2001).

Former child actor Brad Renfro, who first starred opposite Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones in 1994's "The Client," died Tuesday morning after a night of drinking, the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said. He was 25.

The cause of the actor's death was not immediately known.

Renfro had a history of drug problems, including an arrest two years ago on December 22, 2005 in Los Angeles' Skid Row for allegedly trying to buy heroin. In May 2006, he spent 10 days in jail after pleading no-contest to driving while intoxicated and pleading guilty to attempted possession of heroin.

Although an autopsy is planned for today or Thursday, results of a toxicology test to determine whether drugs were a factor in his death will take six to eight weeks.

According to the Coroner's Office, Renfro had been out drinking the night before with friends and was discovered unresponsive in the morning.

Los Angeles fire paramedics were called at 9 a.m. to his home in the 1000 block of Ogden Drive. He was pronounced dead by the coroner at noon.

Renfro recently wrapped "The Informers" with Billy Bob Thornton for Senator Entertainment.

"All of us at Senator Entertainment, the cast and crew of 'The Informers,' and director Gregor Jordan are profoundly saddened by the news we received today," Senator president and "Informers" producer Marco Weber said. "Brad was an exceptionally talented young actor and our time spent with him was thoroughly enjoyable and he became a true friend to us all. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and to all who knew him closely as the giving, warm-hearted young man he was."

A representative for Thornton said the actor declined comment.

Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Brad Barron Renfro was 10 when he was discovered by director Joel Schumacher and cast as Mark Sway in the film adaptation of John Grisham's "The Client." He went on to star in "The Cure," "Tom & Huck" and "Apt Pupil."

In 1995, he was honored with The Hollywood Reporter's Young Star Award.

Story: © 2008 The Hollywood Reporter . All Rights Reserved.
Images: © 1998 & 2001 Wireimage.com. All Rights Reserved.

UPDATED FEBRUARY 8, 2008

From The Associated Press

The death last month of troubled 25-year-old actor Brad Renfro was caused by a heroin and morphine overdose, according to the coroner's report released Friday. The Los Angeles County coroner's office ruled Renfro's death was accidental. His body was found on January 15, 2008 in his home.

Story: © 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

UPDATED FEBRUARY 19, 2008

From The Associated Press

According to a 911 call released by fire officials, Brad Renfro's girlfriend tried to revive the troubled actor after finding him unresponsive at his Los Angeles home. On the recording, a woman tells a dispatcher she's been trying to wake up Renfro for an audition but he won't move.

She says Renfro's nose is bleeding and mentions he may have taken a few pills the night before. She tries to give him CPR after being instructed to do so by the dispatcher before paramedics arrive.

Fire officials released the tape Tuesday.

Renfro died Jan. 15 of an overdose of heroin and morphine. He had publicly struggled with drugs and alcohol.

Story: © 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.