If you watched Kindergarten Cop more times than you can count, you know Dominic: the quiet little boy at the centre of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s undercover case. That boy was actually two boys, twins Christian and Joseph “Joey” Cousins, and the news that Christian has died at 43 has hit 90s kids hard this week.
| Name | Christian Cousins |
| Born | March 17, 1983 |
| Age at death | 43 |
| Known for | Kindergarten Cop (Dominic), Knots Landing (Bobby Ewing) |
| Twin brother | Joseph “Joey” Cousins |
| Found | At his home in Irvine, California, during a police welfare check |
| Cause of death | Not officially released |
How Did Christian Cousins Die?
According to TMZ, family members became worried when they could not reach him, and Irvine Police Department officers carried out a welfare check at his home. Officers found him dead inside, and police said there were no suspicious circumstances. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Coroner took custody, and the official cause of death has not been made public.
His half-brother, Jonas Roeser, shared the news in an Instagram tribute, describing Christian as a character full of passion and energy, and saying he takes comfort in believing Christian is now with their mother, free from his pain. Roeser said his brother had been very sick with liver disease. That is the family’s account; it is not an official finding.
His Last Post: ‘Barely Healthy’
What has made the story even more poignant is his final Facebook post. He shared a close-up photo of himself smiling, and when someone commented that it was a great picture, he replied: “Not terrible for 41 and barely healthy cuz! lol.”
Christian Cousins in Kindergarten Cop: Who Was Dominic?
In Ivan Reitman’s 1990 comedy, Schwarzenegger plays tough LA detective John Kimble, who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher in Astoria, Oregon, to find the son of drug dealer Cullen Crisp. That son is Dominic, and the whole plot hinges on figuring out which kid in the class he is.
Like many child roles, Dominic was played by twins so the production could work around strict child labour hours. Christian and Joey Cousins split the part, and the film became one of the biggest comedies of its year, grossing over $200 million worldwide.
Knots Landing and His Other Roles
Before Kindergarten Cop, the twins were already TV regulars. They played young Bobby Ewing on the long-running CBS drama Knots Landing (the Dallas spin-off) from 1987. Their other credits include Critters 3, Eerie, Indiana, Highway to Heaven, Father Dowling Mysteries, Empty Nest, Wings and the family comedy Twin Sitters.
Like a lot of child stars, both brothers eventually stepped away from acting and lived largely out of the spotlight. Christian lived in Irvine, California.
Fans Remember a 90s Favourite
The reaction online has been a wave of nostalgia: clips of the classroom scenes, old VHS covers, and a lot of people realising for the first time that Dominic was played by twins. If Kindergarten Cop was a childhood comfort movie for you, it’s worth a rewatch this weekend.
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FAQs
Who was Christian Cousins?
A former child actor who, with his twin brother Joseph, played Dominic in Kindergarten Cop (1990) and young Bobby Ewing on Knots Landing.
How old was Christian Cousins?
He was 43. He was born on March 17, 1983.
What was Christian Cousins’ cause of death?
The official cause has not been released. Police found no suspicious circumstances. His half-brother said he had been very sick with liver disease.
Did Christian Cousins have a twin?
Yes, Joseph “Joey” Cousins. They shared roles as child actors, including Dominic in Kindergarten Cop.
Who played Dominic in Kindergarten Cop?
Twins Christian and Joseph Cousins shared the role.
