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'Friends,' 'Highlander' actor Stan Kirsch dead at age 51

Kirsch was best known for his six-season stint on “Highlander," but also guest starred on "Friends" as Monica's boyfriend Ethan, who lied about his age.
/ Source: TODAY

Stan Kirsch, who played the immortal Richie Ryan on the 1990s television series “Highlander,” died Saturday.

He was 51.

“We tragically lost our beloved Stan Kirsch on January 11,” his wife, Kristyn Green, told NBC's "TODAY" show in a statement.

Kirsch’s death, which has been ruled a suicide, was announced on the Stan Kirsch Studios Facebook page Monday. He and Green founded the acting school in 2008.

Image: Oct. 19, 2001 - K23127MR: TRACKER PREMIERE PARTY.360' RESTAURANT, HOLLYWOOD, CA 10/18/2001. STAN KIRSCH. MILAN RYBA/   2001(Credit Image: (C) Globe Photos/ZUMAPRESS.com)
Stan Kirsch.Alamy

“We will be closed for the next 2 weeks as we process and grieve,” the post read in part. “He was so loved and we are all just devastated.”

Though Kirsch was best known for his six-season stint on “Highlander,” he had a memorable role on “Friends” as Monica's boyfriend Ethan who lied about his age. In the episode, titled “The One with the Ick Factor,” Ethan reveals he is actually a senior in high school after he and the 26-year-old Monica spend the night together.

On Monday, Green thanked Facebook followers "for the outpouring of love and support" in the wake of her husband's death.

"I haven't been able to respond to all the texts, calls, emails — but have read or listened to every single one of them," Green wrote. "I feel surrounded by love and am forever grateful to each and every one of you."

The "Highlander" Facebook page shared a lengthy tribute to Kirsch, calling him "nothing but kind, thoughtful and sincere."

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.