Actor. A native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Phelan is best known for his role as 'Derek' in the 1991 action/drama film, "Toy Soldiers." The film which also starred Keith Coogan, Wil Wheaton, and Sean Astin, tells the story of students who fight back after their prestigious prep school is taken over by terrorists. A talented child star from an early age, his other roles include the films, "Caroline?" (1990), "Miles From Nowhere" (1992), "Breaking The Rules" (1992), and "Telling Secrets" (1993). He also made numerous television appearances including, "Family Matters," "Grand," "The Wonder Years, "The Secret Of Lost Creek," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The Torkelsons." On March 29, 1994, Phelan was involved in a car accident. The accident left him with severe brain damage and in a comatose state for over 4 years. Phelan passed away on September 27, 1998, at the age of 23. Ironically his character in the 1992 film, "Miles From Nowhere," is left comatose after a car accident. As it happens, his character survived, while he died. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered. There is also a cenotaph marker in a Houston, Texas, cemetery in his memory.
Actor. A native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Phelan is best known for his role as 'Derek' in the 1991 action/drama film, "Toy Soldiers." The film which also starred Keith Coogan, Wil Wheaton, and Sean Astin, tells the story of students who fight back after their prestigious prep school is taken over by terrorists. A talented child star from an early age, his other roles include the films, "Caroline?" (1990), "Miles From Nowhere" (1992), "Breaking The Rules" (1992), and "Telling Secrets" (1993). He also made numerous television appearances including, "Family Matters," "Grand," "The Wonder Years, "The Secret Of Lost Creek," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The Torkelsons." On March 29, 1994, Phelan was involved in a car accident. The accident left him with severe brain damage and in a comatose state for over 4 years. Phelan passed away on September 27, 1998, at the age of 23. Ironically his character in the 1992 film, "Miles From Nowhere," is left comatose after a car accident. As it happens, his character survived, while he died. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered. There is also a cenotaph marker in a Houston, Texas, cemetery in his memory.
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