Mickey Hays (June 30, 1972 – June 30, 1992[1]) was an American actor with progeria, a rare genetic condition whose symptoms resemble accelerated aging. He starred in the 1986 Weird Western science fiction film The Aurora Encounter, where he portrayed an alien who visits Earth.[2] After the filming, Hays remained close friends with fellow cast member Jack Elam[2] and appeared in the 1987 documentary about congenital conditions I Am Not a Freak.[3] He died on his 20th birthday.[2]

Mickey Hays
Hays as he appears in The Aurora Encounter (1986)
Born
Mickey James Hays

(1972-06-30)June 30, 1972
Longview, Texas, United States
DiedJune 30, 1992(1992-06-30) (aged 20)
Longview, Texas

References

edit
  1. ^ "Obituary: Mickey Hays". The Independent. 1992-07-04. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
  2. ^ a b c Green, Paul (2016-02-23). Encyclopedia of Weird Westerns: Supernatural and Science Fiction Elements in Novels, Pulps, Comics, Films, Television and Games, 2d ed. McFarland. ISBN 9781476662572.
  3. ^ "Biography: Mickey Hays". IMDB. Retrieved 2020-08-04.

Further reading

edit
  • Ramstad, Evan. "15-Year-Old Doesn't Let Aging Disease Slow Him Down". Houston Chronicle, March 14, 1988.
  • Feldman, Claudia. "Aging in Overdrive: Now 17, Mickey Hays Drives a Truck, Inspires Other Kids and Worries about a Dear Friend". Houston Chronicle, July 23, 1989.
  • Feldman, Claudia. "The Aging of Mickey Hays". Houston Chronicle, May 31, 1992.
  • Feldman, Claudia. "'He Crammed 60 Years of Living in 20': Progeria Victim Mickey Hays Dies". Houston Chronicle, July 2, 1992.
  • "Texan with Aging Disorder Dies at 20." San Antonio Express-News, July 2, 1992.
  • "Funeral is Held for Mickey Hays." Houston Chronicle, July 4, 1992.