Overview

• Gale died on May 27, 2025 in a Los Angeles hospice at age 61, his niece Kayse Gale confirmed on Facebook, and no cause of death has been disclosed.
• A civilian sting group called Creep Catcher Unit filmed him admitting to sexually explicit chats with presumed minors, prompting an LAPD investigation that did not yield charges because of his health condition.
• He physically performed as the possessed doll Chucky in the original 1988 Child’s Play film and two sequels, made his film debut in 1986’s Howard the Duck, and amassed more than 130 screen credits.
• Born with dwarfism in Plainwell, Michigan, Gale moved to Los Angeles at age 20 with $41 in his pocket to pursue an acting career.
• His legacy blends beloved cult roles with controversy, including a past connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Jones, who co-starred with him in Howard the Duck.