I’ve been listening to Howard Stern since 1997. Probably one of the only reasons I have Sirius Radio is so I can occasionally tune him in. Though I don’t consider myself a super fan, I have found myself greatly entertained by him over the years. But this article isn’t about Howard Stern. It’s about one of the members of his Wack Pack (essentially a group of misfits that have become recurring guests on his show over the years).

Eric Shaun Lynch (aka Eric the Actor, Eric the Midget) passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2014. He was a 3 to 4 foot tall disabled person suffering from Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. For over a decade, he was a regular caller to the Stern show. But it was very much a love-hate relationship. And as many times as he claimed he would never call in again, he just couldn’t seem to help himself. Even when Stern claimed he was done with Eric, he himself couldn’t help but to pick the phone on him again. Eric and the Stern Show were always destined to be a part of each others lives.

What made Eric great was that despite his disability he never let it get in the way of achieving his dreams. He never used it as a crutch or complained about how life dealt him a bad hand. He never hid from the world. It was just the opposite. He put himself out there as much as he could. And thanks to the Stern Show, he achieved a certain amount of fame. Celebrities such as Jimmy Kimmel loved him. Zack Ephron nominated him for the ALS Ice Bucket challenge recently. He had roles on shows such as “Fringe” and “In Plain Sight.” He tried romancing “American Idol’s Diana DeGarmo. And got into a severe verbal altercation (per voice mail) with Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks. And when he finally passed away, he made headlines on many major news outlets.

Now as many will tell you, Eric the Actor could also be a little shit. He had a sense of entitlement.   He was rarely appreciative of what Stern (or anyone) would do for him. He often got angry at people and rarely played along with Stern’s bits. He didn’t know the meaning of the words ‘thank you.’ He believed in werewolves and once tried to put a hit out on someone (though he claimed that wasn’t what he was doing). But it was these qualities that made him hugely entertaining.

Was he an ass? Yes, sometimes. Probably a lot of times. But I believe it was because he had so much to overcome. He had to fight harder and shout louder. He was determined to be heard and refused to give up. It was his way or no way (which, of course, drove many people on the Stern Show crazy). The guy fought all the way to the end.

Eric’s friend and manager, Johnny Fratto, perfectly summed Eric up in a recent Stern interview:

“Where did all that confidence come from? Where did the courage come from? I think this fucker was some kind of an evil ruler in another time. The body didn’t fit the brain. What was going on in the brain didn’t fit in the body.”

Hopefully, Eric serves as an inspiration to others with disabilities. He was not only able to live a normal life, but he was able to accomplish many of his dreams and make his mark in this world.

Though he never did fly with balloons. I would have liked to see that.  Hey, you know what?  Why don’t we see that?  And Eric… bye for now! Ack Ack!

Eric the Actor Finally Flying with Balloons

 Eric Orders A Hit On Jerry (Allegedly)

The Guy, Jerry, Who Eric Ordered A Hit On (Allegedly)

Eric on “In Plain Sight”

Eric on “Fringe”

Behind the Scenes with Eric on “Fringe”

 Zac Efron Nominates Eric the Actor for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge