Dennis Rush, the former child actor known for The Andy Griffith Show and Man of a Thousand Faces, has recent headlines reporting his death at age 74 after a leukemia diagnosis. He passed away while being transported to a hospital near San Diego earlier in May 2026. Several outlets corroborate this development and note his prior career and service in the Marines.
Key points from latest coverage
- Death: Dennis Rush died en route to a hospital in the San Diego area on May 9, 2026, at age 74. This detail is reported by multiple outlets and mirrors the timeline given in Hollywood trade coverage.[1][2]
- Career highlights: Rush appeared as Howie on The Andy Griffith Show and acted opposite James Cagney in Man of a Thousand Faces, forming a recognizable early screen presence.[2][1]
- Later life: Reports mention his family, a move from acting into education and other roles, but his earlier work remains the defining aspect of his public profile.[2]
- Additional context: Some biographical summaries note his military service and later life near California, though specifics vary by source.[2]
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Citations:
- Dennis Rush dies at 74 after leukemia diagnosis; coverage mentions death en route to hospital near San Diego.[1]
- The Andy Griffith Show child actor Dennis Rush obituary and death details, including age and cause/context.[2]
- Additional public bios and filmography references confirming roles and later life notes.[9]
Sources
See Dennis Rush's contact, representation, publicist, and legal information. Explore Dennis Rush's credits, follow attached in-development titles, and track popularity with STARmeter. IMDbPro — The essential resource for entertainment professionals.
pro.imdb.comBekannt aus: Der Mann mit den 1000 Gesichtern, Rescue 8, Alfred Hitchcock präsentiert
www.imdb.comDennis Rush, a former child actor best known for his roles in The Andy Griffith Show and Man of a Thousand Faces, has died. He was 74. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rush was diagnosed with leukemia last month while living near San Diego, California, and died en route to a hospital on May 9. […]
popculture.comView Dennis Rush's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
www.evaughnwray.comDennis M. Rush, 70, of Rapid City, passed away on April 7, 2023, at his residence. He was born on September 2, 1952, on EAFB, SD, to Lawrence and Marie (Buittner) Rush.
www.behrenswilson.comExplore the filmography of Dennis Rush on Rotten Tomatoes! Discover ratings, reviews, and more. Click for details!
www.rottentomatoes.comWe found 206 Dennis Rush's profiles > Get contact information, phone numbers, home addresses, age, background check, photos, and other public records [Updated: Dec 19, 2025].
radaris.comDennis Rush died at 74 on Saturday on the way to the hospital after being diagnosed with leukemia last month. The former child actor was best known for playing a youngster opposite James Cagney in Man of a Thousand Faces and for appearing as Howie on The Andy Griffith Show.Man of a Thousand FacesRus…
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