Hervé Jean-Pierre Villechaize (French: [ɛʁve vilʃɛz]; 23 April 1943 – 4 September 1993) was a French actor, teenage model and painter. He was born in Paris.
Villechaize was of French/European descent. He suffered from proportionate dwarfism. In later years, he insisted on being called a "midget" rather than a "dwarf".[1] His height was 3 feet and 10 inches.[2] In 1964 he left France for the United States.[2]
Villechaize was married to Anne Sadowski from 1970 until they divorced in 1979. From 1980 through 1982, he was married to Camille Hagen. Until his death in 1993, he was partners with Kathy Self.
During his later years Villechaize struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts.[3]
In the early morning hours of 4 September 1993, Villechaize is believed to have first fired a shot through the sliding glass patio door in order to awaken his longtime girlfriend, Kathy Self, before shooting himself at his North Hollywood home.[4] He was 50 years old. Villechaize left a suicide note saying he was suffering over longtime health problems.[5] Villechaize was suffering from chronic pain due to having normal-sized internal organs putting increasing pressure on his small body. According to Self, Villechaize often slept in a kneeling position so he could breathe more easily.[4]
