Rory Callum Sykes, a former child star from Kiddy Kapers, tragically lost his life in the Los Angeles fires at 32. Known for his role in the 1990s show, Rory, who had cerebral palsy, died from carbon monoxide poisoning in his family’s Malibu estate cottage. His mother, Shelley, tried to save him but was unable to extinguish the flames due to a lack of water. She ran for help, but by the time firefighters arrived, the cottage was destroyed. Rory, who had undergone numerous surgeries to walk and regain his sight, had dreams of traveling the world. His mother shared a heartfelt tribute, saying he would be “incredibly missed.” Rory was one of at least 11 victims of the wildfires.
What started as a hyped-up crowd-pleaser turned into something real—raw like a late-night heart-to-heart. In that moment, two unlikely kindred spirits, wrapped in stage lights and emotion, turned a party into something deeper—a truth you feel in your chest and don’t forget.