Clothing and Costumes Worn by Child Actors: H


Figure 1.--Noah Hathaway is seen here as Atreau in the charming little 1984 film "Never Ending Story".

Information about child actors also provodes a great deal of fashion information. Both clothes these children wore as well as the costumes they wore in their films and shows provide much valuable information. These childrens often dressed very fashionably so information about them provides insights into contemprary fashions. The costumes they wore in films also provides useful information--although it must be treated more cautiously. HBC is preparing an alphabetical listing of child actors in movies, plays, and television.

Haas, Lukas - (US,1976?- )

Lukas grew up in Texas. A casting director showed up at his school and asked who the best actor was. They pointed Lukas out to him and he got a role in "Testament." Probably his best performance was in the film that followed, "Witness," (1985). He reportedly blanches at being referred to as Lukas Haas, the kid from "Witness." Other films include "Lady in White," The Wizards of Loneliness," "Solar Babies," and "A Place at the Table." He has also appeared on various TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone" and Speilberg's "Amazing Stories." His performance in "Witness" as the angelic-looking, wide eyed Amish lad was quite impressive and was his first break. I liked his mooning spaciness and think it was his best performance. He also played Ryan White in the TV production "The Ryan White Story" (1988). Ryan was the boy who contracted AIDs from blood transfusions and was ostracized in his Indiana home town. Ryan served as a technical director and had a bit part. The two of them seemed to get along quite nicely. Lucas was quite impressed with his determination. Ryan thought Lucas played him very well. Lukas plays a sexually curious boy in "Ramblin Rose" (1991). There is a bed scene in his movie and Lucas was 14 at the time. It was apparently too explicit for the British who got 20 seconds of the scene, apparently when he tried to touch the older woman. In an interview he said that the movie simply reflected how boys really feel at that age.

Hall, Brandon (Bug) - (US, 1985- )

Bug Hall is the sweet little boy who plays Alfalfa in the remake of "Little Rascals" (1994). Bug is a knickname. His real name is Brandon. He was born February 4, 1985, in Ft. Worth, Texas. He picked up his nickname in nursery school. Brandon was rather small for his age. His mom was concerned that he might get picked in by the larger children. Her sollution was to nicknam him "Bug". She then told the other kids in his classs if they sat on him they would squash him like a bug. His best known film as a child actor was the great role of Alfalfa in "Little Rascals" (1994). He has several humerous scenes, including having to wear a tutu. He complained on a TV interview about that scene. He also plays Tad Lincoln in the TV movie "Tad" (1995?). He then played another show biz icon--Eddie Munster. Bug played Eddie in the made for TV film--"The Munster's Scary Little Christmas" (1996). Playing film icons is a challenge for any actor. Viewers will always compare the performance to the original. Actually Bug pulled off Akfalfaather well. His Eddie Munster performance, however, was disappointing. We suspect that the mkeup and script were factors here. Bug made up for lost time. As a young adult, he now stands over 6 feet tall. Bug has expanded his acting career and has released several CDs.

Haim, Corney - (US,1972?- )

"Firstborn" (1984) and "Lucas" (1986). I was particularly impressed by his performance in "Lucas". He appeared in shorts a good deal, but was always unkempt.

Hamer, Rusty - (US, 19??-90)

Played "Rusty" on the long-running 'The Danny Thomas Show'. Like most child stars of the era, I never saw him appear in shorts, even as a younger boy. A reader tells us that he did. There's a 1955 'Make Room for Daddy' episode , when Jean Hagen was playing Danny s wife, called 'The Children's Governess'. Towards the end of the episode, Rusty is seen wearing an outfit similar to the outfit Butch Patrick wore in the Munsters. Also there is a 1960 episode showing Hamer wearing a Boy Scout uniform with pleated shorts. He had great difficulty adjusting to adult life. I've seen pictures of him as an adult with a thick beard living as a recluse.

Hann-Byrd, Adam - (US, 1983?- )

Adam played the prodigy in Joddy Foster's "Little Man Tate" when he was about 8 years old. I saw him on "???"'s late night show. He was 9 and rather a personable little chap sporting a pony tail. He said he really enjoyed the acting.

Harris, Neil Patrick - (US, 1975?- )

Neil was featured in an absolutely terrible movie "Purple People Eater (1988)." After that film I'm surprised his career went anywhere. He then gave an excellent performance on a well respected TV movie. It was a period piece and he appeared in shorts even though he was 15 years old. (He looked younger.) Neil is known to most Americans as TV's Dougie Houser.

Hart, Ralph - (US, 1950?- )

A HBC reader reports that "Another young actor I noted ked when I was growing up was Ralph Hart, born about 1950." Ralph's best known role was as Vivian Vance's son, "Sherman Bagley", in "The Lucy Show", 1962-65. He had a few guest shots a couple of years later on "My Three Sons", as Chip's friend, "Kerwin". In between these roles was one episode on the 1960s sci-fi, "Outer Limits". Ralph had a small role in a 1964 episode, "Soldier". Ralph's performances were always nicely turned out. A sharp fella with a good, confident personality. He always wore contemprary clothes.

Hathaway, Noah - (US)

Noah Hathaway was an American boy actor in (mainly) the 1980s. Noah was born to Judy and Robert Hathaway in 1971. Noah started on his way to stardom in commercials which he began to appear in at age 3 years. He landed the role of Boxey on the cult Science Fiction show, Battlestar Galactica in 1978. He is best noted for his staring role as Atreyu in Never ending Story (1984). Noah acted as Harry Potter Jr. in Troll (1986). This film was a horror film produced in Italy. This film had a soon-to-be "all-star" cast containing: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad Hall (Julia's future real-life husband), Sonny Bono, June Lockhart, Michael Moriarty. Noah's most recent U.S. film was the drama, Mortal Danger (1992). He also appeared on the TV show Simon and Simon. His last movie appearance was in 1992.


Figure 2.-- Patrick Dennis as a child is played by Jan Handzlik. Patrick was susposed to be 9 years old when Mame first sees him. He arrrives at Mame's apartment after the unexpected death of his father. Jan was 11-12 years old when he did the Broadway play. He and Rosalinf Russel became very close and she insisted on him for the movie.

Handzlik, Jan (1945- )

Patrick Dennis as a child is played by Jan Handzlik. Patrick was susposed to be 9 years old when Mame first sees him. He arrrives at Mame's apartment after the unexpected death of his father. Jan was 11-12 years old when he did the Broadway play. Russel who bought shares in the Broadway production company liked working with him on Broadway. She became quite attached to him and referred to him as "a darling". When Warner Brothers made the film, she insisted that he play the part. This gave the film, as she explains in her autobiography, a somewhat different look. Jan was only 9 years old when he began Aunty Mame on Broadway and at that age he came across as very innocent. He was 12 when he did the film. As there is a huge difference between the age of 9 and 12, Jan comes across as more precocious than innocent. She worried about him during Broadway run. He got sick twice during the run. She'd ask him what he had for dinner and he'd say a strawberry soda. Jan dressed in the basement which wasn't properly heated and he heard a lot of bad language there, plus he kept getting dirty. So she brought him up to her dressing room and looked after him there.

Headrick, Richard - (US. 1917-2001)

Richard Headrick was a popular child actor in silent films. Like many silent film child actors, we know virtually nothing about him. We do know that he lived in Los Angeles. He was sometimes credited as Master Richard Headrick. We do know what films he appeared in, although we do not know much about them. He is probably best knowm for his role as the "Little Feller" in "The Toll Gate" (1920), a rather dark Willam S. Hart cowboy film.

Heesters, Johannes (Germany 1903- )

A German reader writes us, "in Germany there is a well-known actor called Johannes Heesters. He is amazing because he celebrated his 101th birthday on December 5th and he is still performing and touring! If I remember right he is in the Guinness Book of Records because he is the oldest still performing actor in the world. In the attached picture you can see him with a young boy. Both performed in this Christmas Show." We are not sure yet if he was a child actor.

Henry, Justin - (US, 1972- )

Played the adorable little boy with bangs that was torn between his parents in 'Kramer vs. Kramer' (1979). Also appeared in 'Sixteen Candles' (19??) as Molly Ringwald's brother and "Martin's Day" (1984). He complains that he couldn't avoid being typecast as the cute kid from a broken home. He dismissed his faltering career with "The fame was a pain." He graduated from Skidmore College and now is interested in acting again.

Henrey, Bobby (France/England, 1939- )

Bobby Henrey is an interesting child actor, actually he was not really an actor or interesting in becoming one. He was for a time highly acclaimed because of his performance in his first film -- 'The Fallen Idol'. Bobby's parents were Robert Selby Henrey, grandson of Sir Coutts Lindsay, 2nd Baronet- and Madeleine Gal. Both parebts achieved some success as authors. Gal would write at length about Bobby's film experiences. Bobby was born in Villers-sur-Mer, Calvados, France and spent much of his early ears there. French was his first language. Neither his parents or Bobby were giving anythought to film acting. The introduction to film resulted because Bobby's photograph was used on the dustjacket of his father's book, A Village in Piccadilly. Alexander Korda, London Films studio chief, was was involved with 'Fallen Idol' sent the photograph to director Carol Reed wjo was casting the film. The photograph was just how he envisioned Phillipe, h boy harcter in the film. His parents had no pronlem with it, but Bobby was still in France and had to be flown to London. Reed was impressed and his French accent was perfect for the role of the son of the French ambassadir in London. Bobby for whatever reason has not interest in acting, but was fascinated by the film set and mechanics of film making. Bobby's performance was accalaimed, but he was not really acting. What you see on film is the art of Assistant Doector Guy Hmilton who brilliantly captured Bobby in the business of being a child. It was no easy job. Hamilton was later to say that 8-year old Bobby had the concentration of a 'demented flea'. Th result was, however, a British film classic. Bobby only made one more film -- 'The Wonder Kid' (1951). Without Hamilton, it made little impression. Thus his parents decided that Bobby should go back to being a school boy. Bibby came to dislike his brieff film career because he was teased by the other boys. We are not sure why. I woyld have thiugh the other boys would hve been impressed. In later years, Henrey would begin to change his mind about the experience.

Henry, Robert "Buzzy" - (US, 1931-71)

Robert B. "Buzzy" Henry was born in Colorado. He began his show buiness career as a toddler at age 3 years. He appeared in Ken Maynard "Western Frontier" (1935). He stared in several unimpressive Western-themed "B" films beginning about age 9-10 years of age. They were produced by independent producer Arthur Ziehm. They included "Buzzy Rides the Range" (1940) and "Buzzy ad the Phantom Pinto" (1941). Not all his films were Westerns. He shared billing with Ace the Wonfer Dog in "Danny Boy" (1946). His primary work was with Westerns. In his teen years he had roles in popular westerns with Roy Rogers, Lash LaRue, Eddie Dean and others. As an adult he did stunt work for major ators, including Frank Sinatra, Glenn Ford, and James Coburn. He also directed second units. He worked in ,ajor productions, including "The Wild Bunch" (1969) and "The Cowboys" (1972). He also did some TV work. He was killed in a road accident. He was apparently drag racing (1971).

Herbert, Charles (1948- )

Charles was a charming little actor. He was discovered by a talent scout while hopping with his mother in 1952. He was 4 years old. He was soon on television, which was just beginning to become an important media. His firstr appearance was on a minor program "Half Pint Panel". He appeared on many of the major television series of the 1950s and earlyv 60s, including "Alfred Hitchock Show," "Donna Reed", "Fmily Affair," "(The) Fugative," "(The) Jack Benny Show," My Three sons", "Rawhide," "Wagon Train", and many overs. Despite all these appearances, Charles while familiar to viewers, was not a well-known name. This is perhaps because he was never a part of a series cast, except "The Clear Horizions" (1960) which failed. . Charles was alsi in several films. I think his best performance was "Houseboat" (1958). His interaction with Sophia Loren was engaging. Other film appearances included "The Fly" (1958), "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" (1960), and "(The) Boy and the Pirates (1960)". He was in severalm other films, often small uncredited roles. After 1960 I only know of one role. I'm not sure why he stopped acting so abruptly.

Hickman, Darryl - (US,1931- )

Darryl was born on July 28, 1931, in Los Angeles. Darryl never achieved star status, but he had parts in quite a number of parts. His mother was a frustrated actress who named her son after movie executive Darryl F. Zanuck. She rushed her child into dancing classes when he was 3 years old. Soon after he became a professional by joining the Meglin Kiddie troupe and school. When Darryl recently asked his mother why she pushed him so intensely before the footlights, Mrs. Hickman replied, "Because darling, that is what you always wanted." A very talented, cute boy, Darryl easily broke into pictures. His first appearance was a bit in the Ronald Coleman historical epic, "If I Were King (1938). His first big chance was when Bing Crosby spotted him in the Meglin School and hired him for a role in "The Starmaker" (1939). Parts followed in "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940) and in Shirley Temple's "Young People" (1940). At this point MGM signed the 9-year old boy to a 5-year contract. His first picture at Metro was "Men of Boy's Town" a sequel starring Spencer Tracey and Mickey Rooney. The director, Norman Taurog, recalled later, "With a couple of the new boys I had delightful experiences. For instance, there was little Darryl Hickman, who played the bad boy from the reform school. He was a tiny toughie, and I knew I would have a time getting him to cry. I found out from his mother that he adored his baby sister and that any mention of her would bring tears to his eyes. It worked like a charm twice. But the third time I used this angel, he turned to me and said, 'Listen Uncle Norman, let's forget the sister act. Tell me about Grandpa now and I will cry just the same.'" At MGM, Darryl played in some glossy productions, including the anti-Fascist "Keeper of the Flame" Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, "The Human Comedy" with Mickey Rooney and Butch Jenkins, and the classic Technicolor musical "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944) with Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien. He arrived on the MGM Culver City lot at a pivotal time. "I was at Metro before they ever heard of Elizabeth Taylor or June Allyson. I went to school on the lot with Elizabeth, Margaret O'Brien, Jane Powell, Butch Jenkins, and Dean Stockwell. I used to play football with Elizabeth. Whenever I felt like a scrimmage, she was ready. Elizabeth was the best tackle on the lot when she was making "National Velvet" (1944). In the mid-1940s MGM dropped Darryl's option and loaned him to other studios. At Warner Brothers he played Ira Gershwin as a boy in "Rhapsody in Blue" (1945). At Twentieth Century Fox he played the adventuresome boy who grows up to be Fred McMurray in "Captain Eddie" (1945). Perhaps his outstanding role was in the Fox production of "Leave Her to Heaven" (1945) where he played Cornel Wilde's brother who Gene Tierney allows to drown in a lake. After the war his screen roles were frequent, but minor. He was in Boys' Ranch" (1946) with Butch Jenkins. Darryl entered a monastery (1951), but withdrew to attend college. He studied writing and has appeared in many, but minor adult roles. He complains that he lost his childhood and would never let his kids enter show business.

Hickman, Dwayne (1934- )

Darryl's younger brother who played classic teenage roles in Bob Cummings nephew ("The Bob Cummings Show") and later stared in "Dobie Gillis."

Highmore, Freddie (England 1992- )

I do not know a great deal about Freddie Highmore. I think he was born in 1992 and he is from London. He has given two excellent performances that we have noted. We first noted him in "Finding Neverland" (2004). He next appeared in the Hohnny Depp remake of "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" (2005). The film is based on the eponymous book written in 1964 by Roald Dahl. Freddie gves a good performance as Charlie Bucket, but it is hard to compete with the performance of Peter Ostrum ain the original film version.


Figure 3.--Eddie Hodges had the opportunity to play Huckleberry Finn, one of the most important roles any American child actor can play. He was prhaps a liitle to clen-cut for the role, but did agood job.

Hill, Bug (US,1985?- )

Personable little fellow who at 9 played Alfalfa in the remake of "The Little Rascals" (1994). He plays the part beautifully. I saw Leno interview him on "The Tonight Show" and he was charming. He even appeared in a tie and shorts, albeit long, baggy ones. In another show he said he didn't like the scene where he has to dress up in a ballet tutu and tights and dance with girls, he complained that it when on an on for ever. The director kept telling him he was dancing to well. (The idea being that he should dance awkwardly to stand out from the girls.) There were other interesting scenes such as being chased around town in his underpants, losing them in a swimming pool, and being scene by his girl friend. I think he also wears a dressy kilt outfit with a velvet jacket and lacy collar.

Hinton, Darby - (US)

Appeared on several TV episodes of "Daniel Boone" and "Boomerang".

Hodges, Eddie - (US, 19??- )

Eddie came to prominence in 1957 when he played lisping Winthrop in the Music Man on Broadway. He was the perfect cute freckled faced boy. Was also on the $64,000 Question with Patty Duke. A scandal erupted when it came out that the two had been coached. He then costarred in the heady company of Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker and Edward G. Robinson in Frank Capra's A Hole in the Head (1959), in which he and Sinatra introduced the popular Jule Styne-Sammy Cahn tune "High Hopes"--which became the Kennedy theme song in the 1960 presidential election. 1960 was perhaps te hig-point in Eddie's acting career. The now 13-year-old Hodges in addition to starring in MGM's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, headlined his own hour-long TV special. His performance in Summer Magic with Hayley Mills was rather disapponting. Like most juvenile peformers, his popularity faded as he grew older, and by 1968 he was out of show business. But before disappearing from public view, Eddie delivered a hilarious performance as a lovestruck teenager in love with Mary Tyler Moore in a 1964 episode of TV The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Holden, Peter - (US)

Appeared in several movies during the late 1930s. He had a particularly important role in "The Great Man Votes," wearing proper short pants and over the knee stockings. I rather liked his performance as Donald. He had bangs and wore short pants. This was apparently his last film, I'm not sure why. Perhaps his parents didn't want him involved in show business any further.

Holicek, Braňo - (Slovakia, 1985- )

Braňo was born during 1985 in Košice which at the time was eastern Czechoslovakia. Slovakia is now an independent country. From an early age he was interested in singing znd music. His parents took notice of Braňo's interest and enrolled him in a special (alternative) school at Košice which emphasized music and other fine arts. At the school he participated in productions of the children's musical Bomb school, Cinderella or Snow queen. The children performed these musicals at „Smer“, the Košice Municipial theater. Braňo participated in TV competition for child singerts, especially „Asterisk“. He appeared in the TV program "Golden Gate" and in "Golden Gate - Hitparade". His first major break was a Slovakian competition to find a boy to play Oliver Twist in the musical "Oliver!" (1997). The competition was sponsored by the East-Slovak National Theatre in Košice directed by Jozef Bednárik). About 90 children competed. He was one of the three boys chosen for the lead role. His performances were very moving and he became enormously popular with the audiences, often receiving standing ovations. The play ran for a year and a half. While doing "Oliver!" Braňo was noticed by Ján Ďurovčík , the choreographer of Bratislava's Dance Theater. Braňo sang in the performance of „Janko Hrasko“. Is it at this time that he released his first CD on the PolyGram label (1998). The CD included 11 songs and the title (Kik Flip) was popular with skateboarders. Braňo contributed to the soundtrack of the film, "A Fountain for Susan III". He sings a duet with Barbara Haščáková ("Father and Mother") and a solo („Zuzu“). Director Martin Ťapák chose Brano for the made for TV movie "Like Wide Geese" in wgich he played Juraj Kypus (1998). He then plaued David, the central character "All My Loved Ones" directed by Matej Mináč. The film is about Czech Jews after the NAZI takeover. David ecapes the NAZIs through the Kindertransport. Next Braňo played Thomas in the film "Thomas the Falconer" (2000). The film proved very successful and his performance was well received by film critics. The film was highlighted at the 40th year of International movie festival of children films in Zlin. Braňo was aqctive in various projects on Slovak Television and TV Markiza. He directed a performance of "Bony and Clyde" and his school. Braňo`s main love continues tgo be music. He enjoys sports. He switches from skateboarding and snowboarding depending on the season.

Hollander, d'Michael Engelbert (Belgium, 1952- )

Michael Engelbert d'Hollander was born in the Belgian Congo (1952). The family moved back to Belgium, when Micharl was 6 years old,pressunably as the Congo began to move toward independence. Somehow at only 6 years old, he became an instant senation on Brussels radio with his own show, becoming known as Petit Michael. He sang, told stories, read poetry, and gave advise to parents and other children ho sent in letters. As he spoke French, his parents moved his radio show to Paris. The family moved to America, landing in New York to ipen up an American show business career for Michael. He quickly picked up English. One press report describes as speaking with a charming accent like Maurice Chevalier. The press report described him as "A libely little boy with two front teeth missking is starting a career in the United States which promises to duplicate his big success in Europe. " Michael immeditely began appearing on American television. One of his first appearances was on 'Dennis the menace' (season 1, episide 27 --May 1, 1960). .Dennis and a boy that Mr. Wilson was responsible (michael) for are left without a babysitter after agreeing to let one sitter sit for the boys cause Mr. Wilson and Henry both end up canceling their sitters. Michel went on to play on many 1960s TV programs and movies. His stage name became Micharl Petit. He appeared on many of the top rated shows. His only multiple appearnce was on 'Combat!) where he played multiple French boys caught up in the War. His only American movie was 'Hush ... Hush, Sweet Charlotte. There were appearnces on 'The Minsters' and 'The Andy Grifirth Show'. His last American TV appearnce was uncredited (1966). He seems to have returned to France here he dud son TV work.


Figure 4.--Here is a Paramount publicity shot of David Holt, probably about 1934. He wears a self-belted shorts set. The little girl on his bike is his sister Betty who also acted.

Holt, David - (US, 1927- )

David Holt worked under contract with Paramount. He was one of several children Paramount had handy to cover the child roles required in many of their productions. David appeard in quite a number of films during the 1930s. He generally had relatively small roles. He was not a child star who played lead roles or had films built around him. We know relatively little about his film career at this time. He was friends with Billy Lee and Baby LeRoy. David was the oldest boy of the three. David appeared in many roles calling for him to wear clothing from other periods, such films as Pompeii, Beau Gest, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Holt played the child "Flavious" in Last Days of Pompei. He played next to Preston Foster. A film with a contemporary setting was "Johnny Gets His Gun" with Ralph Bellamy.

Holt, Tim - (US, 1918-73)

Tim was the son of Jack Holt. He appeared as a child in several of his father's famous silent films. He played juveniles and boyish Western heroes in numerous B movies. He played a teenager in 'Stella Dallas' (1937), one of the most important film in which he appeared.

Homeier, Skippy - (US, 1930- )

The Hitler Youth boy Emil, in both the play and film production of "Tommorow the World", was Skippy Homeier. We know very little about him, both his life and film career. Skippy was born on October 5, 1930 in Chicago. His proper name was George Vincent HomeierThis is virtually all we know about him. As far as we know, Tommorrow the World, was Skippy's only major role. There was not much difference as to when the Broadway play was produved and when the film came out. Skippy would have ben 11-12, perhaps 13 yeras old. We do not other movies, including "Boys' Ranch" (1946) playing Skippy, "Arthur Takes Over" (1948) playing Arthur Bixby, "Mickey" (1948) playing Hank Evans, and "The Big Cat" (1949) playing Jim Hawks, Gil' Son. He changed his name to Skip and was also billed as G.V. Homeier After his first films, he was often cast as a juvenile delinquent until he grew up. He went to UCLA. He had some attemps at lead roles, but became a character actor, commonly used to play villains or other unpleasant characters. He had many bit parts on television, but we do not know of any major roles.

Hould, Ray (US, 1924?- )

Ra Hould has used many names. Ra was born as Richard Arthur Hould. He worked as Ra Hould from age 4 until he was 13 years old. He was a child violin prodigy. He changed his name when he was 13 to Ronald Sinclair. Today he is perhaps best known as Ronald Sinclair. Most of his film credits are as Ra Hould. One of his best known films is "Dangerous Holiday" (1937), about a child prodigy. One of his especially notable films was "Thoutoughbreads Don't Cry" (1937) with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. His films are enjouable period pieces, but he did not have a najor success in Hollywood..

Hovey, Tim - (US, 1945- )

Tim was born in Los Angeles, California (1945). He was One of the principal child stars during the 1950s. He had the biggest dimples of any child star I can recall. Tim was a charming child actor, but had a very brief career. He was small for his age and thus fit his part perfectly in "The Private War of Major Benson" (1955). Reviewers claimed he stloe every scenre, including the scenes with the over powering Charlton Heston. His most notable film was The Toy Tiger (1956). Other films inckude: "Queem Bee" (1956), "Everything But the Truth" (1956), "Man Afraid" (1957), and "Money, Women and Guns" (1959). A film his fans will especially like is "Slim Carter" (19??) with Jock Mahoney. Interestingly charming little Tim in his movies crosses swords with two of Hollywoods strongest personalities: Heston in "The Private War of Major Benson" and the perhaps even more firmidable Joan Crawford" in "Queen Bee". Tim also appeared on television.

Howard, Ron - (US, 1955?- )

Red haired freckled-faced Ronny played the unforgettable little Opie, the sheriff's son on the "Andy Griffith Show" (1960-68). Few boys so captured the hearts of the American television audience. We consider him to bevone of the best child stars ever. We all watched Opie grow up before us. He was such a good natured, but energetic little boy. Unfortunately, he never had any particularly interesting episodes. Ron described his boyhood acting and explained he never had any adjustment problems because he wasn't allowed to have a swelled head. One of his parents were always with him on the set and they didn't stand for any foolishness. If he misbehaved he was punished. He said he recalled once after misbehaving (he didn't explain what he did), his father gave him a spanking right there on the set. He said there was a strained silence after the spanking. Finally Andy Griffith whispered to him, "You know Ronnie, you really deserved that!" His best movie role was as Winthrop in "The Music Man" (1962) in which he wore knee-length pants, the only period costume I ever saw him in. As he matured, he was one of the few child stars able to make the transition to teenage roles. After he left the "Andy Griffith Show" with Andy in 1968 he played some teenage movie parts. In "The Wild Country" (19??) he played the older brother in a city family that moved on to a farm. Nothing of special interest, except for their mother who wanted the boys to stay mannerly and innocent. He appeared as a sensitive teenager trying to come to terms with his new stepfather in 'Smoke' (1970), which he did very well. He played a teenager again in the classic, 'American Graffiti' (1973) which led to another hit TV show. He played teenager Richie Cunningham on 'Happy Days' (1974- ), well after his teenage years had passed because of his youthful appearance. He was involved in 'Huckleberry Finn' (1975), I'm not sure as an actor or director. He appeared again, still as a teenager, in 'More American Graffiti' (1977). Ronny went own to play young adults in movies and has become a respected director.







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Created: October 17, 2000
Last updated: 2:28 PM 11/6/2019