Former child actor Jeffrey Louis Starr has sadly died at the age of 61 after "battling an illness". The Hollywood actor was best known for starring in the Bad News Bears sequels, and has now died in hospital in Carbondale, Illinois, reports TMZ. His family has confirmed that he died last month (July 25) after battling an illness.

His brother Kevin shared a heartbreaking tribute to Jeffrey, explaining he had been "sick for several years". He wrote: "The world got a little darker yesterday with the passing of my best friend and brother. Jeff lived an amazing life and shared his life with countless people, Jeff never met a stranger and helped so many people throughout the years.

"Our family has suffered so many losses in the past but we must push through," he continued, asking fans and friends to keep them "in their prayers."

He concluded: "I love you so much little brother and I'll see you on the other side."

Starr played Mike Engelberg in The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training and The Bad News Bears Go to Japan.

Born in 1964, Jeffrey tied the knot with his wife Linda Darlene Webb in 1981. The pair had just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary just a month before Jeffrey's death. They welcomed two sons together – Brandon and Jacob – and shared nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

After retiring from acting, Jeffrey ran a car dealership in Illinois.

Tributes have been flooding in, with one fan writing online: "RIP legend." Another said: "So sad. I wanted to be Engelberg when I was 12. RIP Jeffrey. I’m going to call the Colonel in your honour & memory, kids please watch BNB #1-#3. You will thank me in the morning."