Ghostbusters II actor Henry Deutschendorf passes away aged 29

Henry “Hank” J. Deutschendorf II, the actor best known for his role as baby Oscar in Ghostbusters II, died last week at the age of 29, after committing suicide.

Deutschendorf shared the role in the 1989 film with his twin brother, William, who revealed in a remembrance post that Hank took his own life after battling schizoaffective disorder.

Hank was reportedly found at his home in California on June 14, by his brother. A medical examiner confirmed that the death was caused by hanging.

Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. In the post, William explains: “Hank was diagnosed in August of 2008. If you knew Hank before his diagnosis, you knew a young man who was upbeat, healthy, witty, kind, outgoing, and was always ready to stand up for people. Medication curbed the delusions but it did not stop the voices.

"The side effects of the medication took a toll on Hank. He felt like a zombie, lost his personality, gained weight quickly, slept for twelve hours a day, and had to use all of his willpower just to lift his hand to drink a cup of water. My brother was left with a bandaid for a gunshot wound.”

Although the brothers did not continue to pursue acting, they starred in the 2017 documentary Cleanin’ Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters.

Hank and William ran a martial arts school together near San Diego, California and their uncle was country singer John Denver.

William’s remembrance post continues: “Our parents will always remember him as a loving son. His family will remember him as someone who was always there when they needed him. His nieces and nephews will remember him as the funnest uncle who was always ready to play. His close friends will remember how he always helped them look for the silver lining.

"His students will remember him as a mentor, in martial arts and in life. His girlfriend will remember him as someone who made her feel like the most important person in the world. I will remember him as my best friend, my partner, my brother, and the bravest man I have ever known.”

“It is also very important to me to immediately spread awareness about schizophrenia, bipolar, and suicide prevention”, William adds. “If your first reaction is to ask us what you can do, it’s to help us do everything we can to help others suffering from the same illness as Hank.”