My-ca Dinh Le

Child Actor. Born in Vietnam, the son of Daniel Le and his wife Kim-Hoa, his family settled in California in the 1970s. My-ca was an extrovert who loved getting his picture taken but was not a professional actor. His parents were approached about letting the boy appear in a motion picture, and it was decided it would be a good experience for him. He was introduced to the film's director, John Landis, who thought the child was perfect for the part. My-ca and 6 year old Renee Chen, were hired illegally, without the use of proper work permits and was set to film his scene around 2 AM on July 23, proper contracts for child actors normally stipulate that they be finished working far earlier. The scene was to be of two children being rescued from a war torn village. Actor Vic Morrow entertained his two young co-stars, making faces to put them at ease, and the first night's shooting ended after about an hour and a half. The children returned the following night to finish the scene. At about 2:20 AM, Landis called action. Morrow went into the knee-deep water, holding a child under each arm. The director ordered the helicopter lower. Two special effects charges were detonated close together and apparently damaged the aircraft. The helicopter lost control and went nose down. Below, Morrow dropped Renee Chen then made a grab at her but the helicopter's skid slammed into the child, killing her. Then its spinning main rotor struck and killed Morrow and My-ca. Witness Daniel Le was taken to a local hospital and treated for shock. Director Landis and four other crew members were tried and acquitted of child endangerment and involuntary manslaughter in the deaths.