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{{Short description|American actor (1975–2014)}}
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| name = Eric the Actor
'''This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Misplaced Pages's ]]'''<br />
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| caption =
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| birth_name = Eric Shaun Lynch
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1975|3|11}}
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| birth_place = ], US
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| death_date = {{death date and age|mf=yes|2014|9|20|1975|3|11}}
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| death_place = ], US<ref name=ELynch-MercuryNews>{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_22889010/howard-stern-show-regular-gives-san-jose-sharks|title=Howard Stern Show regular gives San Jose Sharks a boost|date=March 28, 2013|first=Bud|last=Geracie|newspaper=]|access-date=July 20, 2013}}
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*<sup>a</sup> "...Lynch, a 38-year-old Sacramento man confined to a wheelchair, and a 10-year regular caller to the Stern Show." — ¶ 8.</ref>

| website = {{URL|https://www.myspace.com/erictheactorlynch}}

''{{Otheruses4|the Wack Pack member|the poker player|Eric Lynch}}''


{{Infobox Celebrity
| name = Eric "Eric The Midget" Lynch
| image = Eric_the_Midget.gif|thumb|
| caption = Wack Packer Eric "the Midget" Lynch from the set of '']''.
| birth_name = "Eric Lynch"
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|3|11}}
| birth_place = ] ]
| occupation = ], ]
| height = 3' 5" (104 cm)
| weight = 85 lbs
| website =
}} }}
'''Eric Shaun Lynch''' (March 11, 1975 – September 20, 2014), also known as '''Eric the Midget''' and '''Eric the Actor''',<ref name= Fringe /> was a member of '']'' ]. Lynch was, at his peak, {{height|ft=3|in=5}} tall,<ref>From December 8, 2011 Stern interview</ref> weighed {{convert|85|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and had various health issues, including ].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rosenberg |first1=Peter |title=Eric the Actor: A Eulogy |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/howard-stern-regular-eric-the-actor-remembered-by-dj-peter-rosenberg-230579/ |publisher=Rolling Stone |access-date=29 January 2021 |date=30 September 2014}}</ref>


Lynch used a motorized ] for mobility.<ref name="For The Week Of 9/16/2002 to 9/20/2002">{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Mercer |title=Goofing On Rosie O'Donnell And Eric The Midget. 9/19/02. 7:55am |date=2002-09-20 |publisher=MarksFriggin.com |url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news02/9-16.htm |work =Howard Stern Show News Archives |access-date=2007-04-12}}</ref> Despite his poor health, he claimed to have outlived every doctor's prediction for his life expectancy.<ref>. Howard Stern.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-29.</ref>
'''Eric Lynch''' (born ], ]), better known as '''Eric the Midget''', is a frequent caller of the ''] Radio Show'' and a reluctant member of ]. Due to his small lungs which prevent him from completing a sentence without taking 4 or 5 breaths, he sometimes can not get through three and four syllable words without taking a breath. Lynch also suffers from ], a disease of the ]. He says that he has outlived every doctor's predictions. He is 3' 5" tall and weighs 85 pounds and uses a motorized ] to get around.

A self-styled "expert" on '']'', Lynch is known for his obsession with ''American Idol'' winners ], and ], and runner-up ]. Lynch has repeatedly and unrealistically asked Howard Stern to use his influence to get him dates with Clarkson or Underwood. Stern did however help Lynch land a guest starring role on one of his favorite television shows, '']'', for which Lynch remains ungrateful.

Because of the guest role, he is known, by his own request, as "Eric The Actor," although he is rarely referred to as such. This is because he finds the word "]" offensive to a "]": he equates it to referring to an ] as a "]". <ref>This has also led to Artie Lange of the Stern Show to refer to Lynch as Eric the Freakishly small Human, which Lynch considered equally offensive.</ref> He is also sometimes jokingly referred to as "Eric the Astronaut," because he is as much of an astronaut as he is an actor. Lynch has countered this nickname with "Eric the Idol Expert," but Artie countered that his name is now "Eric, the midget who doesn't know shit about American Idol."

In 2007, Eric was listed at #3 on ]'s ''Big Ten List of Little People'', finishing ahead of such noteable little persons as ] and ].
<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/top-ten-midgets.php?page=2
|title=The Big Ten List of Little People
|publisher=]
|author=Zack Parsons
|date=2007-03-19
|accessdate=2007-03-22}}
</ref>

==Pre-Stern show and Initial appearances==
{{Expand-section|date=March 2007}}
Eric was born and raised in ], ], where he was a peer of future ] members ] and ]. He attended high school at ], graduating in 1994.<ref> In high school Lynch also garnered the nickname of ] from his speeding through the hallways in his electric wheelchair.
</ref> While in his 20's, Eric moved to his own apartment in ]. It was in this time period when he began regularly calling into the Howard Stern Show. Eric's ] made him a favorite among Stern's listeners, and Eric begrudgingly became a member of the wackpack.

==His own Sirius show and subsequent feud==
After many back and forth negotiations, Lynch has done a tryout '']'' recap show on ]. The show aired on ]] and featured ], ex co-host of ''American Idol'' as a guest. However, Dunkleman quickly usurped control from Lynch and began acting as the show's host. Some highlights of the show were ] calling in and asking, "How big is your ]?", and a phony ] congratulating Lynch on a great show. Afterwards, Lynch expressed that he felt "set up" due to the quantity of negative calls put through to his show and blamed segment producer ] for this and vowed to never call in to the ''Stern Show'' again. Stern and his fans were skeptical, however, because his final message was "Ok, I'll talk to you la-GOODBYE".

On ]] Howard Stern noted that Lynch had been sending emails to the show discussing '']'', but Howard wouldn't read them on the air due to Lynch's self-imposed ban. Lynch was interviewed by the ] during the ''Stern Show'''s April 2006 vacation and stated that he will only return to the show if Will Murray is fired.
<ref>
{{cite web
| first=Jason
| last=Kaplan
| coauthors= Thomas Panasci
| title=The Rundown
| date=2006-04-06
| publisher=HowardStern.com
| url =http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=April&day=6&year=2006
| accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>

Lynch called in to the ''Stern Show'' on ], ] to make a plea to be included on the show without being called a "midget", having his voice made fun of, or being associated with the ''Wack Pack''. He is no longer demanding Murray be fired, as Murray has since apologized to him. Lynch asked to be a ] ] for ]. Stern deduced that the real reason for the call was to get tickets to the ''American Idol'' finale and teased Lynch by suggesting that ] should cover the event instead, as he is a real "]er".
<ref>
{{cite web
| first=Jason
| last=Kaplan
| coauthors= Thomas Panasci
| title=The Rundown
| date=2006-05-10
| publisher=HowardStern.com
| url =http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=May&day=10&year=2006
| accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>

In May 2006, Lynch began calling the show more than ever in spite of none of his ] being met. His new ] sign off is "Bye for now" which gets chuckles from the Stern staff at the end of each phone call. On ], ], Lynch called the show and turned down an offer to have sex with ].
<ref>
{{cite web
| first=Jason
| last=Kaplan
| coauthors= Thomas Panasci
| title=The Rundown
| date=2006-05-17
| publisher=HowardStern.com
| url =http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=May&day=17&year=2006
| accessdate = 2007-02-05 }}
</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news06/5-15.htm#wed
|title=Daily Highlights/News Archives For the week of 05/15/2006 to 05/19/2006 |accessdate=2007-02-05
|date=2006-12-18 18:57:45 }}
</ref>
He called again the next day with a list of "Wack Packers" with asterisks by the names of those he didn't want to be associated with.

==Lynch's inches and Katherine McPhee==
On ], ], Lynch called the ''Stern Show'' and measured his penis in exchange for ''American Idol'' contestant ]'s phone number. Lynch claimed to measure at just over five inches. He was also insulted by "Derek the Midget" and a frequently played ] and ] bit featuring a fanciful sexual encounter between Lynch and Tabitha Stevens.
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=The Rundown
|date=2006-05-22
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=May&day=22&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>

McPhee reportedly hates the Stern show now because Lynch called her too many times, according to ], who told Lynch this news during the ], ], show. (Lynch claimed he only called her three times.)

As a result, McPhee refused to record a message for either the Stern show or Lynch when she visited ] headquarters on ], ], according to ].

On ], ], Lynch called the ''Stern Show'' and complained that his parents had read about him measuring his penis on ] (which he called "Wackipedia") on this page. Stern read a paragraph of this article, regarding penis measuring, verbatim on the air. Also, ''Stern Show'' producer ] commented on the air he and the ''Stern Show'' staff enjoy the picture of Lynch in this article. Flustered, Lynch refused to perform any strange tasks to meet Katharine McPhee, such as urinating or defecating in a diaper, inserting a ruler or a Sirius satellite receiver into his rectum, submitting to a proctological exam, wearing ]'s old bunny outfit, being ] on by Richard Christy, being flushed down a toilet, being sent in the mail or holding seven-hundred and fifty ] and seeing if he would be carried away.
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=The Rundown
|date=2006-06-05
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=June&day=5&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>

==Balloon stunt==
On ], ], Lynch agreed to sit in a lawn chair while he was lifted up by balloons. Stern told Lynch that either he attach the balloons to his body (not a chair) or he would not be able to meet Katharine McPhee.<ref>This has led to Lynch being called balloon boy on numerous occasions.</ref> Stern then noted that perhaps Lynch would be hit by lightning, which could result in the merging of Lynch and the balloon, creating a new ], Balloon!
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=The Rundown
|date=2006-06-06
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=June&day=6&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>

On the next day, Lynch backed out due to the new insulting bits being played about him, including a song parody, "Fly Me with Balloons" (to the tune of "]", sung by Shuli with a digital "midget" voice effect) and a ] using recordings of Lynch's voice to a balloon shop. When Stern said one of the bits was great, Lynch responded, "That was not great you big-nosed retard!"
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=The Rundown
|date=2006-06-07
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=June&day=7&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>


==Medical conditions==
It's noteworthy that Eric "the Midget" Lynch has been calling in and being put on the air just about every day since his feud fizzled out in May 2006. On ], ], Stern commented that Lynch might be the "King of the Wack Pack".
Eric's height was cited at between {{height|ft=3|in=0}} and {{height|ft=3|in=5}}, which is within the threshold to be considered to have ]. Because of his short legs, weak joints, and a ], he employed a wheelchair to get around. His other conditions included ] which gave him a "blotchy" complexion<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724031542/http://howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1238040000#13723 |date=2011-07-24 }}. Howardstern.com (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.</ref> and ], which resulted in gnarled fingers.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724031548/http://howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1151467200#6874 |date=2011-07-24 }}. Howardstern.com (2006-06-28). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors=Thomas Panasci
|title=The Rundown
|date=2006-06-07
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=June&day=7&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>


==''The Howard Stern Show''==
On ], ], Howard Stern played a voice mail message on the air indicating that Lynch is "at war" (see ] above) with Stern yet again, due to the constant mockery he has endured on the air recently. Lynch threatened to call Katharine McPhee to warn her not to do the ''Stern Show''. Stern has expressed his belief that Lynch will be back and will perform the balloon stunt.
Eric initially called in on September 19, 2002, to discuss '']''.<ref name="For The Week Of 9/16/2002 to 9/20/2002"/><ref name=Today /> Lynch had called to respond to Stern's statements that contestant ] was not overly attractive.<ref name="For The Week Of 9/16/2002 to 9/20/2002"/><ref name=Today /> Stern initially talked to Lynch with mild enthusiasm, but after an extended discussion regarding Lynch's unique voice and speaking style, Lynch revealed that he was {{height|ft=3|in=5}} tall, which piqued Stern's interest.<ref name="For The Week Of 9/16/2002 to 9/20/2002"/> Eric was frequently at odds with ''The Howard Stern Show'', its staff, its callers and its guests.<ref name=Today>{{cite web |url=http://www.today.com/id/9853210/site/todayshow/ns/today-entertainment/t/role-call/|title=Howard Stern's cast of characters, from Robin to High Pitch Eric|work=]|last=Popkin|first=Helen A.S.|date=2005-12-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1189483200|title=News from the Eric's |work=HowardStern.com|date=2007-11-09}}</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news06/6-5.htm
|title=Eric the Midget Angry Again
|author=Mark Mercer
|publisher=MarksFriggin.com
|date=2006-06-07
|accessdate=2007-03-22}}</ref>


Eric made one in-studio appearance on November 3, 2008, alongside two prostitutes from the ]. Also present were ] singer ], wrestler ] and ''American Idol'' alumna ].<ref>. Howardstern.com (2008-11-03). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/pop-cult-1.811972/eric-the-midget-howard-stern-diana-degarmo-all-meet-1.835434|title='Eric the Midget,' Howard Stern, Diana DeGarmo all meet|first=Adam|last=Abramson|work=]}}</ref>
After not calling in for perhaps a handful of days during one of his feuds, Lynch had been all over ]. In the week beginning with ], ], Lynch called ''The Intern Show'', '']'' and ''The Friday Show'' in addition to the ''Stern Show''. He had expressed concern over whether the ] would accept him if he was to perform the "balloon stunt" or a similar stunt. On ], ] Lynch called the ''Stern Show'', angered by Stern's calm assurance that Lynch would perform the stunt.
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=Staying Put on the Ground
|date=2006-06-26
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=June&day=26&year=2006
|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}
</ref>
<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news06/6-26.htm
|title=Eric the Midget Calls in, Hangs up on "Stern"
|author=Mark Mercer
|publisher=MarksFriggin.com
|date=2006-06-26
|accessdate=2007-03-22}}
</ref>


==Other media==
Eric preferred to be called Eric the Actor.<ref name= Fringe /> For legal reasons, Eric requested that his full official title be "Eric the Actor, formerly known as Eric the Midget" in order to protect the "Eric the Midget" trade name.<ref name=MARKFRIG>{{cite web|url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news.htm|title='Stern Show Summary Mar 12 2013|work=MarksFriggin.com}}</ref> Lynch made his television debut in a cameo on '']'' in 2005.<ref name=IMDB>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1865098/|title=Eric Lynch|work=]}}</ref> Lynch also appeared on '']'' in 2010,<ref name=Fringe>{{cite magazine|url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2010/08/02/fringe-howard-stern-eric-the-midget/ |title='Fringe' gets a visit from Howard Stern's Eric... the Actor |magazine=]|last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=2010-08-02}}</ref> '']'' in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1327899600|title=Little Man, Huge Pain|work=HowardStern.com|date=2012-01-30}}</ref> and '']'' in 2014. Eric appeared on '']'' in 2008.<ref name= IMDB />


Eric also participated in a number of ]ing ventures. He hosted '']'' and '']'' wrap-up shows including an ''American Idol'' discussion show on ] which featured ] as co-host.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1141966800|title=THE PRINCE VISITS THE KING|publisher=HowardStern.com|date=10 March 2006}}</ref> He made appearances on ]'s web offering ''TNA Today'' alongside wrestling personalities ] and ] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-DUvyNdXLA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/D-DUvyNdXLA |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=TNA Today (Oct 9, 2012): Mike Tenay & Eric The Actor|work=Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|publisher=YouTube|date=6 October 2012|access-date=25 February 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marksfriggin.com/news12/10-22.htm |title=Stern Show News - Archive |publisher=MarksFriggin.com |access-date=2012-11-02}}</ref>
=="Roast Me"==
Since the Howard Stern Show moved to the verbal freedom that Sirius Satellite Radio offers, Howard has been hosting a few uncensored "celebrity" roasts that have been extremely popular and featured some of the top comedians in the country.{{Lopsided}} While discussing who the next roastee should be on January 29th, 2007, Lynch called in to beg for the opportunity to be roasted. The general consensus was that it would make Howard and the roasters look bad for roasting someone that is so physically handicapped.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}


==Death==
Lynch continued to call in and on February 6, 2007, it was revealed that Eric has begun leaving angry voice mails containing jabs at the Stern Show primaries.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} Stern show staff suspected that his motivation was to anger them so much, that they would want to roast him. Howard is still adamant about NOT doing a roast for Lynch, especially with all of the e-mails begging Howard to not even put his calls through, much less give him the "privilege" of being roasted.
On September 20, 2014, Lynch was admitted to a hospital because of heart problems. After arriving, Lynch's liver and kidneys began to shut down and he died.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article2610637.html |title=Sacramento resident and Stern show regular Eric the Actor dies |first=Bill |last=Lindelof |work=] |date=September 22, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/21/eric-the-actor-dead-dies-howard-stern-wack-pack/ |title=Howard Stern Wack Packer Eric the Actor Dead at 39 |work=] |date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>


On September 21, Lynch's longtime friend and manager Johnny Fratto became the first to report his death. Fratto tweeted "I am so sorry and so sad to inform everyone that my friend Eric "The Actor" Lynch passed away yesterday afternoon!!!"<ref name="variety">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/eric-the-actor-lynch-dead-wack-packer-1201310444/|title=Eric 'The Actor' Lynch, Howard Stern 'Wack Packer,' Dies at 39|date=September 21, 2014|first=Alex|last=Stedman|work=Variety|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JOHNNYFRATTO/status/513779210997886976 |title=Johnny Fratto on Twitter: "I am so sorry and so sad to inform everyone that my friend Eric "The Actor" Lynch passed away yesterday afternoon!!! |publisher=Twitter.com |date=2014-09-21 |access-date=2015-08-24}}</ref>
=="You know what to do"==


News of Lynch's death received considerable media attention with outlets as high profile as '']'', '']'', ] and ] all reporting his death. Celebrities including ], ] and ] among others Tweeted their condolences, with Eric's trademark sign-off "bye for now" trending number one as a Twitter Hashtag. ] was so upset by the news that he called The Stern Show first thing on September 22, even though he had an infant child and it was only 4:00{{nbsp}}am Pacific Daylight Time during the broadcast. Eric, a huge fan of ] and the ], was mourned during telecasts of both organizations, with the on-air personalities signing off the A's broadcast by saying "bye for now." Eric's roommate Jon spoke with Howard and encouraged fans to have Eric's favorite foods, Pepsi and bacon, in his honor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marksfriggin.com/news14/9-22.htm |title=Stern Show News - Archive |publisher=MarksFriggin.com |access-date=2015-08-24}}</ref>
On ], ] Lynch left a message on friend and fellow Stern show regular caller ]'s answering machine asking Johnny to "teach a lesson", which many (including show staff) interpret to ordering a "hit." The demand was made in regards to a caller named Jerry who claimed that he went to ] with Eric, and was upset that he made all of these requests regarding wheel chair ramps and access.
<ref>
{{cite web
|first=Jason
|last=Kaplan
|coauthors= Thomas Panasci
|title=Finding His Man Jerry
|date=2007-03-12
|publisher=HowardStern.com
|url =http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?month=March&day=12&year=2007
| work =
| pages =1
| accessdate = 2007-03-12
| language = }}
</ref>


Lynch was buried at ] in ].<ref>. Retrieved 2018-09-15</ref>
Lynch was lambasted by the staff for saying ''"you know what to do Johnny, you know what to do"'' because if Johnny were insane, the caller might be dead.
<ref>
This also included being jokingly referred to as Eric the Don, or Eric the Godfather.
</ref>
Stern repeatedly made Eric admit that he was "just joking" and wants no harm done to the caller. During the same segment, Eric also admitted that he urinated in his bed while sleeping, because he was dreaming about going to the bathroom in a bathtub. He also stated that this didn't stain his bed too much because he was wearing boxers and "PJ Pants." Howard also joked that Eric will have Sanjaya the American Idol contestant killed. Should Sanjaya survive Eric's pending hit, Eric is on record that he will not attend this year's Idol Tour due to Sanjaya's inclusion.


== Filmography ==
==Footnotes and References==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
|+ Television
<references/>
! style="width:50px;"| Year
</div>
! style="width:250px;"| Title
! style="width:150px;"| Role
! class="unsortable" | Episode
|-
| 2005
| '']''
| Eric
| "It's My Life"
|-
| 2010
| '']''
| Homeless Man
| "]"
|-
| 2012
| '']''
| Landlord
| "Four Marshals and a Baby"
|-
| 2014
| '']''
| Big Pete
| "Weekend"
|}


== See also == ==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* ]
* ]


==External links== ==External links==
*{{IMDb name| id=1865098 | name=Eric Lynch}}
{{wikiquote|Eric the Midget}}
*{{imdb name | id=1865098 | name=Eric Lynch}}
*{{MySpace|erictheactorlynch|Eric Lynch}}
*


{{Howard Stern Show}} {{authority control}}


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:00, 16 December 2024

American actor (1975–2014)
Eric the Actor
BornEric Shaun Lynch
(1975-03-11)March 11, 1975
San Pablo, California, US
DiedSeptember 20, 2014(2014-09-20) (aged 39)
Sacramento, California, US
Websitewww.myspace.com/erictheactorlynch

Eric Shaun Lynch (March 11, 1975 – September 20, 2014), also known as Eric the Midget and Eric the Actor, was a member of The Howard Stern Show's Wack Pack. Lynch was, at his peak, 3 ft 5 in (1.04 m) tall, weighed 85 lb (39 kg), and had various health issues, including Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome.

Lynch used a motorized wheelchair for mobility. Despite his poor health, he claimed to have outlived every doctor's prediction for his life expectancy.

Medical conditions

Eric's height was cited at between 3 ft 0 in (0.91 m) and 3 ft 5 in (1.04 m), which is within the threshold to be considered to have dwarfism. Because of his short legs, weak joints, and a club foot, he employed a wheelchair to get around. His other conditions included stork bite which gave him a "blotchy" complexion and Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, which resulted in gnarled fingers.

The Howard Stern Show

Eric initially called in on September 19, 2002, to discuss American Idol. Lynch had called to respond to Stern's statements that contestant Kelly Clarkson was not overly attractive. Stern initially talked to Lynch with mild enthusiasm, but after an extended discussion regarding Lynch's unique voice and speaking style, Lynch revealed that he was 3 ft 5 in (1.04 m) tall, which piqued Stern's interest. Eric was frequently at odds with The Howard Stern Show, its staff, its callers and its guests.

Eric made one in-studio appearance on November 3, 2008, alongside two prostitutes from the Bunny Ranch. Also present were Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines, wrestler Kurt Angle and American Idol alumna Diana DeGarmo.

Other media

Eric preferred to be called Eric the Actor. For legal reasons, Eric requested that his full official title be "Eric the Actor, formerly known as Eric the Midget" in order to protect the "Eric the Midget" trade name. Lynch made his television debut in a cameo on American Dreams in 2005. Lynch also appeared on Fringe in 2010, In Plain Sight in 2012, and Legit in 2014. Eric appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2008.

Eric also participated in a number of podcasting ventures. He hosted American Idol and America's Got Talent wrap-up shows including an American Idol discussion show on Howard 101 which featured Brian Dunkleman as co-host. He made appearances on TNA Wrestling's web offering TNA Today alongside wrestling personalities Mike Tenay and Jeremy Borash in 2012.

Death

On September 20, 2014, Lynch was admitted to a hospital because of heart problems. After arriving, Lynch's liver and kidneys began to shut down and he died.

On September 21, Lynch's longtime friend and manager Johnny Fratto became the first to report his death. Fratto tweeted "I am so sorry and so sad to inform everyone that my friend Eric "The Actor" Lynch passed away yesterday afternoon!!!"

News of Lynch's death received considerable media attention with outlets as high profile as Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, CNN and TMZ all reporting his death. Celebrities including Zach Braff, Zac Efron and Diana Degarmo among others Tweeted their condolences, with Eric's trademark sign-off "bye for now" trending number one as a Twitter Hashtag. Jimmy Kimmel was so upset by the news that he called The Stern Show first thing on September 22, even though he had an infant child and it was only 4:00 am Pacific Daylight Time during the broadcast. Eric, a huge fan of WWE and the Oakland A's, was mourned during telecasts of both organizations, with the on-air personalities signing off the A's broadcast by saying "bye for now." Eric's roommate Jon spoke with Howard and encouraged fans to have Eric's favorite foods, Pepsi and bacon, in his honor.

Lynch was buried at Oakmont Memorial Park in Lafayette, California.

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Episode
2005 American Dreams Eric "It's My Life"
2010 Fringe Homeless Man "The Box"
2012 In Plain Sight Landlord "Four Marshals and a Baby"
2014 Legit Big Pete "Weekend"

References

  1. Geracie, Bud (March 28, 2013). "Howard Stern Show regular gives San Jose Sharks a boost". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
    • "...Lynch, a 38-year-old Sacramento man confined to a wheelchair, and a 10-year regular caller to the Stern Show." — ¶ 8.
  2. ^ Tucker, Ken (2010-08-02). "'Fringe' gets a visit from Howard Stern's Eric... the Actor". Entertainment Weekly.
  3. From December 8, 2011 Stern interview
  4. Rosenberg, Peter (30 September 2014). "Eric the Actor: A Eulogy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. ^ Mercer, Mark (2002-09-20). "Goofing On Rosie O'Donnell And Eric The Midget. 9/19/02. 7:55am". Howard Stern Show News Archives. MarksFriggin.com. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  6. Howard Stern.com. Howard Stern.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-29.
  7. Hot but not bothered – The Howard Stern Show Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine. Howardstern.com (2009-03-26). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.
  8. The big winner? – The Howard Stern Show Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine. Howardstern.com (2006-06-28). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.
  9. ^ Popkin, Helen A.S. (2005-12-14). "Howard Stern's cast of characters, from Robin to High Pitch Eric". Today.
  10. "News from the Eric's". HowardStern.com. 2007-11-09.
  11. Eric's historic appearance – The Howard Stern Show. Howardstern.com (2008-11-03). Retrieved on 2011-10-29.
  12. Abramson, Adam. "'Eric the Midget,' Howard Stern, Diana DeGarmo all meet". Newsday.
  13. "'Stern Show Summary Mar 12 2013". MarksFriggin.com.
  14. ^ "Eric Lynch". IMDb.
  15. "Little Man, Huge Pain". HowardStern.com. 2012-01-30.
  16. "THE PRINCE VISITS THE KING". HowardStern.com. 10 March 2006.
  17. "TNA Today (Oct 9, 2012): Mike Tenay & Eric The Actor". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. YouTube. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  18. "Stern Show News - Archive". MarksFriggin.com. Retrieved 2012-11-02.
  19. Lindelof, Bill (September 22, 2014). "Sacramento resident and Stern show regular Eric the Actor dies". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  20. "Howard Stern Wack Packer Eric the Actor Dead at 39". TMZ. September 21, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  21. Stedman, Alex (September 21, 2014). "Eric 'The Actor' Lynch, Howard Stern 'Wack Packer,' Dies at 39". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  22. "Johnny Fratto on Twitter: "I am so sorry and so sad to inform everyone that my friend Eric "The Actor" Lynch passed away yesterday afternoon!!!". Twitter.com. 2014-09-21. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  23. "Stern Show News - Archive". MarksFriggin.com. Retrieved 2015-08-24.
  24. Oakmont Memorial Park and Mortuary. Retrieved 2018-09-15

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