Lance Kerwin, 'Salem's Lot' actor, dead at 62

Lance Kerwin, an actor best known for his role on the TV miniseries “Salem’s Lot” and other notable series throughout the ’70s, has died, his talent agent John Boitano tells CNN. He was 62.

No information on his cause of death was provided.

Kerwin began his career appearing in a variety of television shows, including “Little House on the Prairie,” “Wonder Woman” and “The Bionic Woman.” He also appeared in several “ABC After School Specials,” an anthology series aimed at kids and teens that counted Jodie Foster among its other alums.

The Southern California native was a thriving teen actor throughout the ’70s and starred as Ramey Holvak in “The Family Holvak,” a TV series about a reverend in the 1930s struggling to support his family. He also starred in the 1977 coming-of-age series “James at 15,” a show notable for its authentic depiction of teen life in a manner that was not often seen on TV at the time.

Kerwin went on to appear in “Salem’s Lot,” the 1979 TV adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, directed by Tobe Hooper. In the miniseries, which aired on CBS, he played the role of young Mark Petrie, who helps defend his town against evil vampires. His work in the cult-favorite miniseries earned him regular invites to horror conventions.

A role in 1995’s “Outbreak” was his last professional credit until the 2022 film “The Wind and the Reckoning,” starring Johnathon Schaech.