'Chucky' Actor Ed Gale Dies at 61 in Hospice, Family Remembers Him as 'Fun Uncle'

Ed Gale, the actor who played Chucky, has died at the age of 61.

A source verified to TMZ that the actor died on Tuesday in a hospice in Los Angeles, California.  His niece, Kayse Gale, also paid tribute to her "fun uncle" on Facebook, sharing memories.

She wrote: "It is with a heavy heart and a remarkably light coffin (see what I did there?) that we announce the unexpected demise of our uncle,  Official:  Ed Gale, Actor - Retired, has taken his final bow and is now performing in the hereafter.  Ed caught a ride to California when he was twenty years old, with $41 and a goal, and he has never looked back."

Ed's niece continued to compose letters: "He lit up the silver screens in cult classic films like Howard the Duck and Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town, earning himself some serious street cred at every con he attended."

"What he never stopped bragging about.  Ever.  Throughout his career, he has appeared in over 130 films, television shows, and advertisements.  "With this diverse body of work, he leaves a legacy full of questionable lighting and incredible one-liners," she continued.

Kayse added that Ed's favorite role was that of the "fun uncle," whose love language was being able to share his passion for the industry and Hollywood with his nieces.  She knew Ed as the man who "loved 7-Eleven hotdogs with disgusting amounts of ketchup."  

She went on to say, "He enjoyed reminiscing about his glory days DJing at the Plainwell roller rink."  He despised Bill Maher for no discernible reason.  He enjoyed the slow buildup to telling a good narrative and cheating at cribbage.  He was a great laugher and will be missed.  Rest in love, cranky b------."

 Ed has appeared in "Howard the Duck" and "Chopper Chicks in Zombietown."  He is best recognized for bringing Chucky to life in the first "Child's Play" and two subsequent films in the franchise.