Austin Majors Dies: Former ‘NYPD Blue’ Child Actor Was 27

Austin Majors, a busy child actor of the 1990s and early 2000s best known for his seven-season role as the young son of star Dennis Franz’s Detective Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue, died Saturday in Los Angeles. He was 27.

His death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. (Following his acting career, Majors used his birth surname Setmajer.) Majors died February 11 in a homeless facility of suspected fentanyl poisoning; an investigation is ongoing.

Last week, Majors was photographed for a Los Angeles Daily News article when L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, visited the homeless facility Hilda Solis Care First Village, where Majors resided.

Majors’ portrayal of young Theo Sipowicz from 1999-2004 was followed by guest appearances on such series as According to Jim, American Dad!, Desperate Housewives, An Accidental Christmas (2007) and How I Met Your Mother. He also appeared in numerous television commercials.

In a family statement released by Majors’ sister and former child actress Kali Majors-Raglin and obtained by Deadline, Majors was described as “a loving, artistic, brilliant, and kind human being.”

The statement continues, “Austin took great joy and pride in his acting career. From the time he was little, he never knew a stranger and his goal in life was to make people happy. He grew up in a small town where he loved camping and fishing with his family and Boy Scout Troop. He loved his dog, Sunny, and the horse he grew up riding, Balla. He graduated Salutatorian in High School while being an active Eagle Scout and member of the community. He went on to graduate from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with a passion of directing and music producing.

“Austin’s younger sister, Kali, says her fondest memories with Austin were growing up on set with him, volunteering at events with ‘Kids With a Cause,’ and backpacking together. Austin was the kind of son, brother, grandson, and nephew that made us proud and we will miss him deeply forever.”

Some of the siblings’ acting clips are posted on their YouTube channel AKMajors.