US actor Art LaFleur dies at 78 after decade long Parkinson’s battle

Art LaFleur acted in movies such as 'The Sandlot', 'The Santa Clause 2' and '3' and 'Field Of Dreams'. Photo: TNS

Art LaFleur, best known for playing Babe Ruth in The Sandlot, has died. He was 78.

The actor’s wife, Shelley LaFleur, confirmed his death, which followed a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease, on Nov 18 in a heartfelt Facebook post.

After a 10 year battle with A-typical Parkinson’s, Art LaFleur, the love of my life passed away,” she wrote. “He brought laughter to so many people as Babe Ruth in The Sandlot, The Tooth Fairy in The Santa Clause 2 and 3, and Chick Gandil in Field Of Dreams to name just a few.”

Shelley said her husband was “a generous and selfless man”, qualities which “carried over to his acting but more importantly ... who he was for his family and friends”.

“I was so very lucky to have had a 43 year relationship with a man who cherished me and who I adored,” said Shelley. “Art was larger than life and meant the world to us.”

Art, who started acting in 1975 when he was 31 years old, died at home surrounded by his family, including his wife and children, according to TMZ, the first to report the news. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service