On December 19, 2024, Keller Scott Fornes, best known for his role as Griffin in the medical drama “County Rescue” on Great American Family, passed away in Eastland, Texas. He was 32. His agent, Linda McAlister, confirmed his death on January 7, 2025, though the cause remains undisclosed.
Fornes was born on April 22, 1992, in Lubbock, Texas. His passion for performing arts manifested in middle and high school productions. He graduated from the University of North Texas (UNT) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. A prominent figure in the ATO fraternity, Fornes also maintained a place on the Dean’s honor roll. Prior to UNT, he briefly participated in wrestling at Texas State University.
Upon graduation, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and began navigating his early acting career. He also pursued amateur boxing and clinched a gold medal in the Georgia division’s Golden Gloves competition. Between 2015 and 2016, Fornes wrote and directed three short films, “Luminary,” “Insane,” and “Has Been,” marking his entry into the show business.
Fornes gained prominence with “County Rescue,” a series that explored the personal and professional lives of emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The show, helmed by Brian Baugh, had started production on its second season in the summer of 2024. Fornes’ co-stars included Julia Reilly, Riley Hough, and Percy Bell, among others. The second season was completed before Fornes’ passing and is slated to premiere this month.
In a statement, the Great American Family expressed their deep sorrow at Fornes’ passing, praising his talent and the positive impact he had on his colleagues and the cast and crew of “County Rescue.”
Fornes’ acting credits spanned several popular TV series, including “The Walking Dead,” “Homicide Hunter,” “Genius,” and “Found.” He also appeared in films such as “Somnium” (2022), “Origin” (2023), “Do You Believe?” (2021), and “Buried Secrets” (2021). “Hellbilly Hollow,” completed before his death, was his final film.
Through social media posts, Fornes shared his journey of recovering from alcoholism. In 2022, he marked his third year of sobriety.
Outside of his acting career, Fornes was an active community member. He mentored young people through his church’s Young Life program. A skilled musician, Fornes regularly performed as a singer and guitarist and also pursued painting and drawing.
Fornes’ “County Rescue” co-stars paid tribute to him following his death. Julia Reilly posted photos with Fornes on Instagram with the caption “miss you,” while Kristin Wollett shared a Reel montage in his memory. Colton Dixon and Candace Cameron Bure also extended their tributes.
He is survived by his wife Margie; parents Kimberly Lynn Turney-Fornes and Kobe Scott Fornes; brothers Charles “Keaton” Fornes and Kason Lynn Fornes; and other family members, including a nephew and grandparents.
