Hudson Joseph Meek died at the age of just 16 on Saturday after being ejected from a moving vehicle less than 48 hours previous – he was one of the actors in the action hit Baby Driver and had numerous other acting credits
Hudson Meeks was just 16 when he died (
Image: Instagram)
The tragic sudden death of Baby Driver actor Hudson Meek who fell from a moving car remains shrouded in mystery.
Police say they are treating the horrific death of the 16-year-old actor as an accident and they do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved. Officers told TMZ on Thursday that they are ruling out foul play.
But details remain scarce and nothing has come out about whether the supposed accident involved a vehicle or vehicles crashing, or if anyone else was involved in any way at all, or if Hudson was behind the wheel of the vehicle himself.
Hudson Meek played the younger version – ‘Young Baby’ – of the main character in the 2017 blockbuster Baby Driver, and had numerous other acting credits.
Hudson Meeks as ‘Young Baby’ in Baby Driver ( TriStar Pictures)
Hudson sustained “blunt force injuries” as reported by the Jefferson Country Coroner’s Office, but details on the nature of the fall remain unclear.
He was somehow ejected from a moving car and died on Saturday, two days after he fell from the vehicle in his hometown in Alabama .
The horror took place at 10.45pm and he died less than 48 hours after the coroner said he was thrown from a moving vehicle.
He died surrounded by his friends and family, passing away peacefully in a hospital bed.
The Vestavia Hills Police Department is investigating the case and his passing was solemnly confirmed through a post on his Instagram account which read: “Our hearts are broken to share that Hudson Meek went home to be with Jesus tonight. His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met.”
Hudson Joseph Meek began acting as a child ( Getty Images)
Hudson Meek had a bright future ahead of him ( Hudson Meek/Instagram)
Hudson’s burgeoning career also boasted roles in television series such as the reboot of MacGyver and the film The Santa Con, helmed by Melissa Joan Hart.
Projects he was involved in as a teenager are reportedly set to be released in 2025. An obituary called him an “accomplished actor.”
It read: “He worked on several major motion pictures and television shows, some of which will be released in 2025. He absolutely loved spending time on set and having the chance to learn the names and stories of every member of the cast and crew.”
The tribute added: “Hudson’s personality was one of a kind. He was confident, convicted in his beliefs, spontaneous, and quick-witted. He never let the facts get in the way of a funny story, and he loved friendly banter. He was a prankster, loved a good joke, and was happiest when he was making others laugh.”
Hudson died surrounded by family and friends ( Instagram)
Hudson, of Vestavia Hills, was a sophomore at Vestavia Hills High School and played on the football team.
The obit added: “Hudson thrived in settings that allowed him to meet and serve new people. Hudson was a vibrant and dynamic person who lived life to the fullest.”
Another poignant obituary honouring his life remarked: “Hudson was reflective and thoughtful, yet displayed undeniable determination once he set a goal, evident from becoming a certified open water scuba diver at just 13, and quickly advancing to earn an open water certification later that year. He had an illustrious journey, having visited every single US state with aspirations of adventuring across all seven continents.
“He loved snow-skiing and could easily navigate the hardest trails that no one else in the family would dare attempt. One of his favourite places to be was at the lake, tubing and wakeboarding. Some of the less active achievements he was proud of included video games and binge-watching every single episode of all 36 seasons of The Simpsons and a variety of other shows, many of which were viewed without his parents’ knowledge and probably weren’t appropriate for whatever age he was when he watched them.
“Hudson had a keen ear for great music and was constantly editing “the perfect playlist” for every occasion. He fiercely loved the family dog, Rosie, who already knows something is off at home without him and is grieving in her own way.”
Hudson as a child in a studio ( hudsonmeek/Instagram)
Hudson’s first acting credit came in 2014 when he starred alongside Melissa Joan Hart and Jaleel White in the television movie The Santa Con. He also appeared in Genius and The School Duel.
His family say they are working on a scholarship for Vestavia Hills High School students in his memory.
Meg Deusner, owner of Acting Out Academy, said: “Hudson Meek was a beloved and talented member of the Acting Out Academy community since the beginning. But that is just one piece of the magical person that he was. He was kind, he was faithful, he was funny and lit up any room. He touched so many lives and will be missed beyond measure.
The adult cast of Baby Driver ( Sony Pictires)
“The whole Meek family has been a huge part of our community and was instrumental in making Acting Out and many of our actors what we are today. Our hearts are broken as we continue to pray for them.”
Hudson is survived by dad Derek Firth Meek and mum Lani Wells Meek, along with older brother Tucker Firth Meek and grandmothers Margaret Green Meek and Faye Searcy Wells.
