Disney child star who appeared in iconic movies dies as co-star pays tribute

A former Disney child star has died.

Christian Juttner, who starred in the 1978 films Return from Witch Mountain, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and The Swarm, has passed at the age of 60. He also appeared on several TV shows, such as The Bionic Woman and The Magical World of Disney.

The actor died of natural causes at his home in Yucca Valley, California on November 29 last year. His daughter Aiden Juttner confirmed news of his passing to The Hollywood Reporter.

Juttner played Dazzler one of the truants in the Earthquake Gang, in Return from Witch Mountain, the sequel to Escape to Witch Mountain (1975). He starred alongside Sir Christopher Lee, Bette Davis, Kim Richards and Ike Eaisenmann in the film.

He played young Beatles fan Peter Plimpton in Robert Zemeckis' directorial debut, I Wanna Hold Your Hand and Paul Durant in The Swarm, which starred Michael Caine. Juttner's final onscreen appearance came in 1981, when he took part in an episode of General Hospital.

His former Return From Witch Mountain co-star Ike Eisemann paid an emotional tribute to the star. He wrote: "I have sadly learned that Christian Juttner, one of my co-stars in Return From Witch Mountain, has passed. He was an incredible actor, and one of the nicest people I have ever met. RIP 'Dazzler'."

It was Christian's mum who got him interested in acting, and he bagged his first onscreen credit in an episode of ABC's Bewitched in 1972. He played student Jamie Sommers on the first season of ABC's The Bionic Woman.

He also acted in Emergency!, The Rookies, Ironside, Wonder Woman, Medical Center, Lou Grant and Alice. Actress Lydia Cornell, best known for playing Sara Rush on the ABC sitcom Too Close for Comfort, also shared a tribute. She said: "Rest in peace Christian Juttner," alongside a blue heart, butterfly and a crying emoji.

A fan wrote: "How very sad to hear. Condolences to his family and friends." Another added: "He was in a number of good shows, including the Bionic Woman. I always liked seeing him act. A quiet innocence about him but could be a mischievous kid too. RIP." Someone else commented: "Oh noo!! RIP i remember seeing him in the Swarm."

After retiring from acting, Juttner and his father John launched a glassworks business. They kicked off their business in Saint Croix in the Caribbean and Juttner later founded his own in Santa Clarita, California.