My Sister’s Keeper actor Evan Ellingson, who had formerly struggled with drugs, dead at 35

Erstwhile child actor, now 35, Evan Ellingson’s body was discovered in his San Bernadino county home on Sunday. His father Michael Ellingson revealed the news to TMZ. Though the coroner’s office has not clarified the exact circumstances of his death, no foul play is suggested for now.

Michael said that Evan had been doing better recently, despite a history of struggle with drugs, and had been in a sober-living home at the time of death. Evan’s brother Austin Ellingson had died of a drug overdose in 2008, the very same year Evan’s daughter Brooklynn was born.

The actor was known for his roles in projects like Bones, 24, CSI: Miami, and My Sister’s Keeper. In Bones (2005-2017), He appeared in one episode of Bones, Season 1 Episode 5, titled A Boy in a Bush, where he played the role of David Cook, a layered character.

In Season 6 of 24 (2001-2010), he joined as Josh Bauer, the nephew of protagonist Jack Bauer, and managed to survive his grandfather’s evil plan, continuing his character for 10 episodes. In CSI: Miami (2002-2012), he played a recurring character, Kyle Harmon, in Season 6 for 18 episodes.

In My Sister’s Keeper (2009), Ellingson played the iconic character of Jesse, the protagonists Anna and Kate’s brother, who helped Anna sue their parents for her legal emancipation. Based on the eponymous novel by Jodi Picoult, the film followed a family, where elder daughter Kate suffered from cancer, so her younger sister Anna was borne to be a ‘savior sibling.’

She was conceived to donate blood and body parts as and when required as spare parts for her sister. Anna finally revolted after she was asked to give a kidney and turned to the law for help, with her brother there to support her. Ellingson departed from Hollywood after 2010, his last on-screen credit being on CSI: Miami. 

You can watch My Sister's Keeper below: