Henry “Hank” Deutschendorf, the child actor who played baby Oscar in Ghostbusters II, died on June 14 of an apparent suicide at the age of 29.
The San Diego-based actor, who had a long history of depression, was discovered by his twin.
William has started a fundraiser page, hoping to raise awareness about schizophrenia, bipolar, and suicide prevention.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my twin brother, Hank,” William wrote. “On Wednesday, June 14th, 2017, Henry John Deutschendorf II lost his battle with schizoaffective disorder.”
Schizoaffective disorder, he explained, is “a chronic mental health condition which is a combination of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He experienced hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania”.
He continued, “It is a very severe mental illness that usually requires a lifetime of treatment. It is not well studied, so the treatment is largely an estimation based on schizophrenia and bipolar treatments. Hank was diagnosed in August of 2008.”
After starring in 1989’s Ghostbusters II, Hank went on to run a martial arts school and appeared in the 2017 documentary, Cleanin’ Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters.
