Lance Kerwin, teen star of 1970s TV shows 'James at 16' and 'Salem's Lot,' dead at 62

Lance Kerwin, an actor known for his roles on 1970s television shows like "James at 16" and "Salem's Lot," has died. He was 62.

His representative John Boitano confirmed the news to USA TODAY Wednesday.

Kerwin's numerous screen credits include shows like "Wonder Woman," "Murder, She Wrote," "Houston Knights," "Simon & Simon," "The New Lassie" and "FBI: The Untold Stories." He recently appeared in the 2022 film "The Wind & the Reckoning."

His most famous roles were in the TV movie "James at 15," which spawned the TV drama series "James at 16" that ran from 1977 to 1978, and in the 1979 limited series, "Salem's Lot," based on the Stephen King horror novel.

Kerwin opened up about achieving fame at a young age in an interview with People magazine in 1978.

"I want to know every part of the business," Kerwin, then 17, said. "I want to direct. I want to write. I drive people crazy on the set asking questions. That’s the nice part of being the star — they humor you."

Lloyd Morrisett, co-creator of 'Sesame Street,' dies at 93: 'He will be sorely missed'

He added: "But even if 'James at 15' never makes it to 'James at 16' ... I will be okay. I’ll try for good parts in films and television. I wouldn’t mind having more time to myself. I’ll take whatever comes."

According to a GoFundMe formed to help Kerwin and his family achieve financial stability as he made a return to acting, Kerwin left Hollywood to become an overseer of the U-Turn for Christ ranch in Perrin, California in 1997.

David Crosby, co-founder of Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Byrds, dies at 81, reports say

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lance Kerwin, teen star of 'James at 16' and 'Salem's Lot,' dead at 62