Christian Cousins, best known for his role in the 1990 film Kindergarten Cop, has died at the age of 43 following a battle with liver disease. His brother paid tribute to his “passion and energy” after the former child star passed away last month.
Brother’s tribute
In an Instagram post, Jonas Roeser wrote: “It’s hard to share that my brother, Christian Cousins, has passed away.” He added that Christian and his twin brother, Joseph “Joey” Cousins, are his brothers through his biological father. Roeser explained that they grew up in California while he was in Washington, and he did not get to know them until college.
“Before that, I grew up watching them on television in Knots Landing and the lead role of Dominic in Kindergarten Cop with Arnold Schwarzenegger. But those roles are only a small part of how I’ll remember Christian,” Roeser said.
Career and health
Cousins appeared in the Schwarzenegger-fronted action comedy as Dominic Palmieri, alongside his twin Joseph. He also appeared in Critters 3 (1991), Intruders (1992), and Sitters (1994). Roeser described his brother as “a character” with “big stories and even bigger dreams.”
“Christian had been very sick with liver disease,” his brother revealed. “It brings me comfort to believe he is now in heaven with his mother, free from the pain he was carrying.”
Schwarzenegger’s remarks
At the 30th anniversary reunion for Kindergarten Cop, Schwarzenegger said that working with the children on set had helped prepare him for fatherhood. He said the kids “made this movie,” adding: “That’s what made it endearing, that’s what made it successful, and people wanted to watch it over and over again.”
