Stephen Furst, the actor who played Flounder in ‘Animal House’, has died from complications to diabetes at age 63 at his home in Moorpark, California.
Furst battled obesity and diabetes and by age 40 weighed 145 kilos (320 pounds). He was diagnosed with ‘out of control type 2 diabetes when he decided to turn his life around. He went on an aggressive diet and dropped to 75 kilos (164 pounds). He then became a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association and published his book ‘Confessions of a Couch Potato’.
Stephen Furst had parts in two moves ‘American Raspberry’ (1977) and ‘The Bastard’ (1978) before being cast as Kent ‘Flounder’ Dorfman in ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’ (1978).
Furst revived the role for ‘National Lampoon’s Class Reunion’ (1982).
Other roles included Dr. Elliot Axelrod in ‘St Elsewhere’ (1983-1988) and Vir Cotto in the TV sci-fi ‘Babylon 5’ (1994-1998). He was also the voice of the walrus Dash in ‘The Little Mermaid II – Return To The Sea’ (2000).
