LEGENDARY Disney producer Andrew Gunn has died at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with ALS.

Gunn, who is behind major hits including Freaky Friday, Cruella, and Sky High, was diagnosed with the neurological degenerative disorder in 2024.

Andrew Gunn (left) has died at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with ALSCredit: Alamy
 

4
Gunn is behind early 2000s Disney hits including Freaky FridayCredit: Walt Disney Pictures
His family confirmed on Monday that he died at home in Toronto, Canada, surrounded by loved ones.

In a touching tribute, film writer Blaise Hemingway said, “Andrew Gunn’s legacy will go far beyond the movies he made; he’s the ‘godfather’ to more writers, producers, directors, and executives than I can count.

“So many of us owe our careers to Andrew Gunn.”

He is survived by his wife Jane, and his children Isabelle and Connor.

Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton reveal first pics of £3.2k a NIGHT holiday

Martin Short’s daughter Katherine was found dead after shooting herself aged 42

4
Gunn is survived by his wife and two childrenCredit: Courtesy of the Gunn Family
“Grieving the loss of our longtime family friend Andrew Gunn,” said Shawn Ryan, a producer and writer known for The Shield, The Night Agent, and S.W.A.T.

“This is the second friend (after Shield producer Scott Brazil) who I’ve lost to ALS, a truly horrific disease.

“My kids grew up very close to Andrew’s kids and I feel deeply for them all today.”

4
Freaky Friday, starrying Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay LohanCredit: Alamy
ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and is a motor neuron disease, said CDC.

Paris Hilton strips completely naked with just bubbles for cover in racy snaps

It causes the nerve cells to stop working and die.

The muscles become weak, leading to paralysis.

Less than 30,000 people in the United States have ALS.

Who was Andrew Gunn?

Andrew Gunn produced Disney comedies in the early 2000s

Gunn, who has died at the age of 58, produced “an enviable list of big budget studio comedies,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

These ranged from remakes, originals and movies based on Disneyland rides.

He was born in Toronto in 1967.

Gunn moved to Los Angeles to study at The Annenberg School at USC.

He worked for producer David Permut (Face/Off).

During the late 1990s, Gunn was in charge of development at Great Oaks Entertainment.

This production firm made several Disney hits, including 101 Dalmatians and the remake of Flubber, starring Robin Williams.

Gunn also worked on Home Alone 3.

Gunn established the Disney Writers Program, where he selected and worked with five unproduced screenwriters every year, said The Hollywood Reporter.

This helped launch the careers of David Berenbaum (Elf, Haunted Mansion), Matt Lopez (2022’s Father of the Bride), and David DiGilio, who co-created The Terminal List.

He was described as a born storyteller by Erin Westerman, Lionsgate’s current president of motion picture group.

Gunn was the “softest, gooiest man on the inside,” she told THR.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?

ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a motor neuron disease

The disease affects the nerve cells in both the upper and lower parts of the body.

It causes the muscles to become weak and leads to paralysis.

This disease causes the nerve cells to stop working and die.

The nerves lose the ability to trigger specific muscles.

This causes the muscles to become weak and leads to paralysis.

No one knows what causes most cases of ALS.

Some studies have suggested a possible link with exposure to heavy metals (e.g., lead and mercury).

Other research has suggested a link with exposure to trace elements, solvents, radiation, and agricultural chemicals.

No confirmed link was found with infections, diet, physical activity, and injury.

Most people live from two to five years after symptoms develop.