This is a topic that I heavily and highly refrain from discussing, whether on a podcast or in a review, but as a student and avid reader of cinematic history it often strikes of the tragedies that occurred in the year of 1988, now 35-years a sad anniversary, it is always heartbreaking when anyone passes away, but especially gut-twisting when it occurs to a child, and even worse when it involves murder. This article is not to glamorize these deaths, nor serve as morbid fodder, rather to enlighten those of the horrors that can occur when the most precious children encounter the Hollywood glamor. These two are present in the order of date of death, i.e., who died first, and strangely the first seems to overshadow the second, but now both shall be recalled and remembered.

Heather O’Rourke

December 27, 1975 – February 1, 1988

Age: 12

(cardiopulmonary arrest and intestinal stenosis)

Heather entered the American cinematic pop-culture, thanks to one man, Steven Spielberg, who approached her as she sat alone waiting for her mother to return at the MGM Commissary. He asked for her name, she stated “My name is Heather O’Rourke. But you’re a stranger, and I can’t talk to you”. Once her mother returned the proper introductions were made, however she failed her first audition as she laughed at the stuffed animal he presented her with, Steven too young to understand as she was only five-years-old. However, others in casting departments stated he used the wrong prop for what he wanted her to do was scream, “A child is not going to scream when presented with a cuddly stuff animal as a gift.” Basically, fishing with the wrong bait. He had her return with a scary story book that had her scream a lot leading to tears. The next meeting Spielberg informed her mother she’s hired, and quickly enough the bit part roles flooded to Heather and was a familiar face on television and then that really big break her first movie Poltergeist [1982], which only had one scene in it that frightened her dearly, as she was required to hold onto a headboard while a wind machine sucked toys into a closet behind her. After the scene concluded, Spielberg who was on set, stopped everything cradled her, & let her know it was a perfect one-take. After the film, she made sure never to refuse to give an autograph, but her mother made sure to stay away from the Hollywood life. Heather was extremely saddened when learning of her co-star Dominique Dunne was murdered, which occurred exactly 5-months after the release of the film, coincidentally these two would be buried in the same cemetery.

During the filming of Poltergeist II: The Other Side [1986], fellow cast members thanked her for having a calming effect, and how they would panic in trying to learn their lines during a rewrite, but she had the uncanny ability to peacefully memorize everyone’s lines.

Her performance in those films cemented her in the hearts of cinemagoers and the minds of casting directors, it all seemed like a promising new career.  However, unbeknownst to anyone her career and life would have an abrupt, tragic ending. In January 1987, her legs and feet began swelling and she experienced flu-like symptoms, which was confirmed but that she also had Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammation of the intestine. She proceeded forward taking medications while filming Poltergeist III [1988] and puffiness expanded to her facial cheeks seen in some scenes, she never complained or revealed much to her fellow cast members.

When the filming had ended in June 1987, the family decided on a break to allow her to heal and they traveled to various locations in the United States, she was in good spirits until January 31, 1988. She was unable to eat and by the early morning her fingers turned blue and was very cold to the touch, her mother called for the paramedics, but insisted she was okay and didn’t want to miss school or her friends… She was taken to the hospital, while in the ambulance, she uttered to her mother “I love you…” suffered a heart attack and died on the operating table at 2:43p at the age of 12.

Surprisingly, she never saw any horror films.

*Note: She is buried in the same cemetery as her co-star from Poltergeist [1982].

She had 16-film credits, of which three were horror films.

Poltergeist III [1988]

Poltergeist II: The Other Side [1986]

Poltergeist [1982]

*****                                    *****                          *****

As for the second youngest actress, I must give a warning, this involves, abuse, torment, and murder; if you are not prepared for it then best to stop reading, however, be forewarned in doing so it would be a disservice to all those that suffer from the tragedies.

Judith Barsi

June 6, 1978 – July 25, 1988 (homicide)

Age: 10

Judith was the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, József and Maria Virovacz Barsi and grew up in Los Angeles, California, she too began her acting career at the age of five-years-old. Her mother Maria, inspired by the Hollywood world, began helping Judith for a film/modeling career, teaching her about poise, posture, emotional control and communication skills at all times, which fortunately lead to being discovered at an ice-skating rink quickly earning numerous television commercials and print-ads. Her mother knew filmmakers were always filming throughout Los Angeles, and suddenly found the magical moment. It all seemed so perfect, but a dark cloud loomed in the distance…

One of Judith earliest film roles occurred in 1984 for the miniseries Fatal Vision, in which she portrayed a daughter who was murdered by her abusive father who also killed her mother; it is deeper reflection that role would have very real consequences just 4-years later. In 1985, her success, smaller stature allowed for a wide range of roles and commercials had earned a salary of $100,00 a year income which translated into purchasing a modest three-bedroom house; however, it did not bring peace in the household. Her father József began drinking heavily, which led to increased anger, as a form of backlash against his daughter’s success; this contributed to his three DUIs and threats of violence and death to his wife Maria and Judith, this private horror show began to affect Judith. She would tell friends of his uncontrollable rage and how he threw objects at her, by December 1986 her mother filed a police report about the abuse and threats, leading to a brief investigation but with no physical marks and the case closed. In early 1986 Judith’s outdoor activities at home became limited, witnesses recalled when flying a kite, her father pushed her down and started yelling “spoil brat”.

As Judith prepared with her mother to head to the Bahamas for two months to film Jaws: The Revenge [1987] in the role of Thea Brody, József threatened his daughter with a knife “If you don’t come back, I’ll slit your throat,” he said, “your mother will suffer…” as retold by others. Even though she suffered with fear and turmoil, she gave a happy upbeat performance.

By early 1988, Judith was under so much stress that she began to self-mutilate at the age of 9, even resorting to removing her cat’s whiskers all as coping mechanisms. She would complain to friends that her daddy wishes to kill her mommy and me. Judith was referred to as a psychologist by her concerned agent Ruth Hansen in May of 1988 and likewise spoke to her mother, informed her to carefully prepare to leave, quietly taking little things to a new residency and then divorce. In addition, LA Child Protective Services was informed of the abuse, but Maria said she was going to move out, the investigation stopped but that action came too late.

Wednesday the 28th of July 1988

It was a few months after meeting with the psychologist that police were informed about a single gunshot that neighbors heard in the early morning at approximately at 8:30a. it was later confirmed that Judith and her parents were dead in apparent double-homicide and suicide. Although, it was determined that Judith was shot once in the head and her mother shot in the back, they were killed days ago, and had gasoline poured over their bodies, Judith was scheduled for and auditioned with Hanna Barbera on July 25th.

It was after the tragedy neighbors and a few friends recalled how József told them he was going to kill his wife, repeatedly and that he even thoughts to kill his daughter, and while they tried to assist beforehand they were fearful of his rage.

In retrospect, Judith appeared in over 70 television commercials and nine movies in her very short career, and in The Land Before Time and All Dogs Go To Heaven, closing credits were dedicated to her life. Her body now rests in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, next to her mother her gravestone which was purchased after funding from her fans but was installed until recently.

Please if you know or suspect someone of committing abuse contact:

24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline

1-800-799-7233

Horror/ Sci-fi Films:

Jaws: The Revenge [1987]

The Twilight Zone “A Little Peace and Quiet” [1985]