Cheaper by the Dozen star dies weeks after suffering heart attack

The actor, who was best known for his roles in Cheaper by the Dozen and Invaders from Mars, died in a hospital in Simi Valley, USA, on Friday after having a heart attack six weeks ago, his daughter-in-law told the Hollywood Reporter.

Born in Los Angeles, Jimmy started his career in the spotlight at a very young age when an MGM scout arrived at his school. He made his first screen appearance at age six in the 1947 film High Barbaree.

By 1950, he had starred in the original Cheaper by the Dozen movie and played William Gilbreth, one of the many Gilbreth children. Two years later, he appeared in the sequel, Belles on the Toes, but in a different role.

Cheaper by the Dozen spawned a hit remake in 2003, with comedian Steve Martin playing the family's father.

However, Jimmy's biggest role came in 1953, when he played David MacLean in Invaders from Mars alongside Helena Carter, Arthur Franz, and Hillary Brooke.

The sci-fi classic follows the plot of a young boy who sees a flying saucer behind his house. Matters take a peculiar turn when his dad goes to investigate the UFO and returns to the house acting strangely.

Jimmy decided to leave Hollywood when he turned 14 years old because the "pressure became too much." However, he had a small role in an 1986 remake of Invaders from Mars.

He said in an interview: "It's interesting that that film, probably the lowest-budget feature I ever made, is the one that still attracts people. It's also the one that made me conclude that I didn't want to continue acting."

According to the Hollywood Reporter, he went on to serve in the US Army and became a sales manager for a supply company.

He leaves behind his wife Roswitha and their sons, Ron and Randy.