Hudson Meek, an actor who appeared in “Baby Driver” and voiced Bada in the preschool series “Badanamu Stories,” died after falling from a moving car. I was 16 years old.
Meek fell “into the roadway from a moving motor vehicle” in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, on the night of Dec. 19, the Jefferson County Coroner's Office said Thursday in a statement to the Times. Meek suffered blunt force injuries and was admitted to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, where he died from his injuries two days later.
The Vestavia Hills Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death, the coroner's office said.
Representatives for the Police Department did not immediately respond Thursday to The Times' request for comment.
“Our hearts are broken to share that Hudson Meek went home to be with Jesus tonight,” Meek's family wrote Saturday in a statement on his Instagram page. “His 16 years on this earth were too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met.”
Meek's family described his death as a sudden and tragic loss. In his official obituary, the family noted that the teen was an organ donor and his family was comforted “to know that he will continue to help others for years to come.” His family did not mention the cause or manner of death in the obituary.
Meek played a younger version of Ansel Elgort's Baby in the 2017 action drama “Baby Driver.” He also appeared on the CW's “Legacies,” Hulu's “Genius” and NBC's crime drama “Found.” Some of his other projects are scheduled for release in 2025, his family said.
“He loved spending time on set and having the opportunity to learn the names and stories of each cast and crew member,” his family said.
Hudson Joseph Meek was a resident of Alabama and a sophomore at Vestavia Hills High School, where he played for the Vestavia Hills Rebel football team. Meek was also part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and honor choir and loved hanging out with friends outside of school, playing water sports and “anything in the woods,” traveling and performing, according to the obituary. He also loved binge-watching “The Simpsons,” playing and watching sports (particularly football, basketball and boxing), and “anything that involved the Auburn Tigers.”
“Hudson was reflective and thoughtful, but he was tenacious when he set his mind to something,” the obituary said. He became a certified open water diver at age 13 and earned his advanced open water certification that same year. He visited all 50 US states and set out to visit all seven continents. The actor was also an active member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, where he frequently attended youth events.
“Hudson's personality was unique. He was confident, convinced of his beliefs, spontaneous and resourceful. He never let facts get in the way of a funny story and loved friendly banter. “He was a joker, he loved a good joke and was happiest when he made others laugh,” the obituary said. “Hudson thrived in environments that allowed him to meet and serve new people. Hudson was a vibrant and dynamic person who lived life to the fullest.”
Meek is survived by his parents, Derek Firth Meek and Lani Wells Meek, and his older brother, Tucker Firth Meek, his grandmothers, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family is planning a celebration of life ceremony on Saturday and has established the Hudson J. Meek Memorial Scholarship at Vestavia Hills High School. They ask mourners to make donations to the fund in lieu of flowers.
