bobby driscoll family

The family moved to Los Angeles when a doctor advised the father to relocate to California because he was suffering from work-related handling of asbestos. [10] Patten and he appeared with Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers in the live-action teaser for the Pecos Bill segment of Disney's cartoon compilation Melody Time (also 1948). In a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his Disney days, Driscoll began using the name Robert Driscoll when looking for acting jobs. He became addicted to narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use. Bobby Driscoll was an American child actor known for a large body of cinema and TV performances from 1943 to 1960. It was planned as Disney's first all-live-action movie, with production beginning immediately after Song of the South,[9] but its release was delayed until late 1948 to meet the demands of Disney's co-producer and longtime distributor RKO Radio Pictures for animated content in the film. At one point, Bobby became part of The Factory, Andy Warhol's art collective in Greenwich Village, New York. Later, he worked mainly in TV series and radio shows. Robert Cletus Driscoll (March 3, 1937 c. March 30, 1968) was an American actor who performed on film and television from 1943 to 1960. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. In 1950, Driscollat just 13 years oldreceived a very special Academy Award that recognized his work in So Dear to My Heart and The Window. The New York Times credited Driscoll with the film's success:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, The mounting terror of a young boy who lives in mortal fear of his life is projected with remarkable verisimilitude by 12-year-old Bobby Driscoll in "The Window," which opened on Saturday at the Victoria. The striking force and terrifying impact of this RKO melodrama is chiefly due to Bobby's brilliant acting, for the whole effect would have been lost were there any suspicion of doubt about the credibility of this pivotal character. Believed to be an unclaimed and homeless person, he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave on Hart Island, where he remains. It certainly wasnt the best experience Driscoll had with a production, but it barely put a dent in Driscolls success. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. Driscoll even got a chance to act one last time in the movie Dirt, an experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer. | Photo: Getty Images. Immediate Family Marilyn Verna Driscoll ex-wife Private child Private child Private child Cletus Joseph Driscoll father Isabelle Louise Driscoll mother About Bobby Driscoll Bobby Driscoll was an American child actor and artist, known for his film and TV performances from 1943 to 1960. In March 1953, the additional two-year option Driscoll had been extended (which would have kept him at Disney into 1956) was cancelled, just weeks after Peter Pan was released theatrically. Driscoll found it difficult to get work, because all other studios considered him a Disney kid. From 1953, he mostly worked on TV in Front Row Center, Climax!, Navy Log, Fireside Theater, Ford Theater, Dragnet, Studio One, Men of Annapolis, Medic, among others. Nationality. The Happy Time: Directed by Richard Fleischer. He believed they were precocious, fake, and very annoying. Beginning in 1953 and for most of the next three years, the bulk of his work was on television, on such anthology and drama series as Fireside Theater, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Front Row Center, Navy Log, TV Reader's Digest, Climax!, Ford Theatre, Studio One, Dragnet, Medic, and Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre. On his new School, the public Westwood University High School, on which he graduated in 1955, all of a sudden his former stardom became more burden than advantage. The award made Driscoll even more valuable in the eyes of Uncle Walt, and it led to Driscolls next big Disney hit. ), Media related to Bobby Driscoll at Wikimedia Commons. Driscoll's salary at Disney had been raised to $1,750 per week[26] and compared to his salary, Driscoll had little work from 1952 on. This resulted in a fingerprint match at the New York City Police Department, which located his burial on Hart Island. The stigma that his prison sentence left on him made it impossible for Driscoll to find acting jobs, leaving the young man bitterBut not completely hopeless. | Photo: Getty Images. Howard Hughes, an American investor that bought out RKO, thought the film was unworthy of release. To make things worse, he completely dismissed Driscoll, and thought of the young boy as not much of an actor. As a result, Driscolls film wasnt released until the following year, in May of 1949. Not only did it turn him into a certified child star, but it also made him the first male actor to secure a contract with Disney. Bobby Driscoll's full name is Robert Cletus Driscoll and his nickname is Bobby Driscoll. With puberty came a severe case of acne, whichthrough no fault of his ownmarred the boys flawless face. The young actors days of taking on small movie roles were officially overbut this new life would eventually lead him down a dark and dangerous path. Bobby Driscoll starred in Song of the South, Melody Time, Treasure Island, and most notably was the voice and reference model for Peter Pan. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on 1937-03-03. Late in 1961, he was sentenced as a drug addict and imprisoned at the Narcotic Rehabilitation Center of the California Institution for Men in Chino, California. During production, the big wigs of RKO pictures were so impressed by Driscolls talent that they borrowed him for two vastly different films. We hope you enjoy it! -. Bobby Driscoll had a great start in life, but somewhere along the line, he went off track, and according to his friend Billy Gray, it was a choice he made. By Julie Miller May 23, 2022 "This. They charged him, but once again, the charges didnt stick. Bobby Driscoll was a natural-born actor. Films: Song of the South, Treasure Island Outside of his career, Driscolls private life was going just as poorly. Still determined to become an actor, Driscoll left his parents home at 16. Although Peter Pan was largely successful, Walt Disney himself didnt like the film. When Driscoll appeared on television, Disney Studios forced him to use heavy makeup to cover up his acne, which mustve been humiliating for Driscoll. After the termination of Disney contract, Driscoll was taken out of Hollywood Professional School, and was sent to the University High School, where he was not accepted by other students. He had no identification, so the body was marked as unknown and went unclaimed until it was buried in an unmarked grave on Hart Island, where he remains. Occasionally, the director overdoes things a bit in striving for shock effectsBut "The Window" is Bobby Driscoll's picture, make no mistake about that. Perhaps Driscoll hoped that Rush would change him for the better, but what actually happened was far, far worse. In 1956, the authorities took him in and charged him with possession of marijuana. The story of this child actor, who starred in films like Song of the South and Peter Pan, is a heart-wrenching one. Hell Is for Heroes is a 1962 American war film directed by Don Siegel and starring Steve McQueen.It tells the story of a squad of U.S. soldiers from the 95th Infantry Division who, in the fall of 1944, must hold off an entire German company for approximately 48 hours along the Siegfried Line until reinforcements reach them. Advertisement At just five and a half, Robert Cletus Driscoll was discovered in a Los Angeles barbershop as he was getting his haircut. Although his name appears on his father's gravestone at Eternal Hills Memorial Park in Oceanside, California, his remains are still on Hart Island. He successfully continued acting on TV until 1957 and even managed to get two final screen roles; in The Scarlet Coat (1955) and opposite of Mark Damon and Connie Stevens in The Party Crashers (1958). On March 30, 1968, two boys playing in a deserted East Village apartment stumbled upon a gruesome discovery. Audiences warmly received Driscoll and his pert nose and freckled face, leading to even more film roles for the seven-year-old actor. Released in early 1962, rehabilitated and eager to make a comeback, Bobby was ignored by the very industry that once had raised and nurtured him, because of his record as a convict and former drug addict. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It mustve felt like one huge adventure for Driscoll, but a huge issue ended Driscolls journey almost as soon as it began. Thanks for your time! [17], Treasure Island was an international hit, and several other film projects involving Driscoll were under discussion, but none materialized. 1957 - m. 1957 - div. Hughes dismissed Driscoll later in 1953, and he did so in a terrible manner by denying Driscoll entry into the studio. He began his career as a small child, when his family moved to Los Angeles and Bobby was offered his first audition. This was the final nail in the coffin for Driscolls life and career. In ill health due to his substance abuse, and with his funds depleted, his body was discovered on March 30, 1968, in an abandoned building in the East Village of Manhattan. We want our readers to trust us. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Photo by NBC Television Network. He wanted Driscoll gone, and sadly the boy's morphing features were enough grounds. Although Driscoll had a troubled life, he attempted to push forward. When media tried to find the films main cast, they came to know about his death from his mother. Although Driscoll did much to bolster Disney during a time of crisis, he is still, to this day, not a part of Disney Legends, the Disney equivalent of a Hall of Fame. Robert Cletus Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1937. ", Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin, and Elinor Donahue from the show "Father Knows Best," circa 1955. Driscoll achieved fame at age 9 when he was cast in a starring role in the Disney controversial movie "Song of the South." The part was a far cry from Driscolls usual rolesthere was no singing, wise-cracking, or cartoon animals involved. I was carried on a silver platterand then dumped into the garbage."[49]. And despite Driscolls acting talents, not everyone believed in Driscolls star power. 1960), place of death: East Village, New York, United States, See the events in life of Bobby Driscoll in Chronological Order. Advertisement Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Soon, Driscoll began butting heads with the law. Driscoll tried to remain relevant in Hollywood by appearing in several TV shows for years; however, he had already passed his peak and was on the decline. Driscoll never forgot about his dream of being an actor, though. Moves from Des Monies, Iowa to Los Angeles. He was discovered in a barbershop when he was 5 years old, and cast in films including Song of the South and So . He became addicted to narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use. In the mid-1950s, Driscoll's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series. April 26, 2020. and then convincing in anything he ever undertook on the movie screen and on television throughout his career spanning 17 years (1943-1960). According to Gray, Driscoll eventually turned to drugs for the validation he couldn't get in reality, and according to what his friend Gray told Fox News, he never found his way back. In late 1969, one year after the discovery of Driscolls body, Driscolls mother attempted to find her son. The real tragedy of Bobby Driscoll was the fact that no one identified his body. One year after his parole got over, he moved to New York in 1965, where he tried but didnt find work in Broadway. He began working at Andy Warhols The Factory. Some of his art was displayed at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. His last film performance was in the 1965 movie Dirt by Piero Heliczer. Driscoll and Rush eloped in Mexico, although both sets of parents objected to their union. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. Disney put a lot of faith into Driscoll for the film, and it definitely paid off. While those roles got Driscolls acting career rolling, it was his next role that took the little boys career to the next level. Following Driscolls runaway success in Song of the South, Disney immediately ordered for production on So Dear to My Heart to begin. But all the more tragic, then, was his fruitless struggle to find a place in a pitiless adolescent world after severe acne had stalled his acting career at 16. My mom never told me how her best friend died. No identification was on the body, and photos shown around the neighborhood yielded no positive identification. He landed his debut role in "Lost Angels . Bobby Driscoll was a child star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually passed away alone in an abandoned house. He and his co-star Luana Patten became child-stars and the media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. The award Driscoll received was the Juvenile Academy Award, which is only awarded at the discretion of the Academys Board of Governors. Nothing about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney. Unfortunately for Driscoll, Walts affection seemed to run dry after the filming of Peter Pan, and it led to the young actors early decline. The cause of the death was determined as heart failure due to advanced hardening of arteries, resulted from long-term drug abuse. While on a tour across the studio lot, five-year-old Driscoll noticed a mock-up ship and asked where the water was. This put Driscoll and the entire production in a sticky situation. Driscoll's parents were encouraged to help their son become a child performer in films. [18] He was at the perfect age for the role, but because of a story rights ownership dispute with Hollywood producer David O. Selznick, who had previously produced the property in 1938, Disney ultimately had to cancel the entire project. The first Disney film, Song of the South, was re-released in 1971-1972. Driscoll was very talented, but he did not know that it all hinged on his facial features. As a result, Driscoll received very little work from 1952 onwards. The young boy had it all, but unfortunately, his snafu with the British authorities had a bigger impact on his career than Driscoll couldve imagined. In an incredibly sad twist, Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the young actor to find roles. Other studios quickly saw Driscolls potential too, and the boy soon had more roles than he knew what to do with. Spring inspires lessons in love and life for a French family in 1920s Ottawa, especially for teenage Robert, who's blind to the attentions of an American neighbor girl, because he's infatuated with the beautiful new maid, fleeing life as a magician's assistant. Actor: Peter Pan. When she's not writing, Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot cup of tea. As Driscolls personality deteriorated, his marriage suffered. After his release, he focused his attention on the avant-garde art scene. He was released in 1962, rehabilitated, and ready to take on the world, but Hollywood ignored him because he was an ex-convict and former drug addict. After his premature dismissal, he was enrolled in a public high school where his peers teased him. Robert Cletus Driscoll. Well, not exactly. Driscolls dad was nearing the end of his life, and Driscolls mom wanted to reunite father and son one last time. The Fighting Sullivans (1944), 20th Century Fox. Were always looking for your input! His parents again sent him to his earlier school, where he completed his graduation in 1955. Between 1967 and the beginning of 1968, Driscoll left The Factory in a miserable state. While on tour across the studio lot, five-year-old Driscoll noticed a mock-up ship and asked where the water was. He had previously been encouraged to do so by artist and poet Wallace Berman, whom he had befriended after joining Berman's art circle (now also known as Semina Culture) in Los Angeles in 1956. He had been getting a trim in a barber's shop in Pasadena when one barber told him he should be in the movies. The Life of Bobby Driscoll Robert Cletus "Bobby" Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 3rd, 1937, to parents Cletus (1901-1969), an insulation salesman, and Isabelle (Kratz) (1897-1972), a former schoolteacher. At the end of his six weeks, the authorities booted Driscoll and his family out of the country, and Disney filmed the rest of Driscolls scenes with a stand-in. Bobby Driscoll: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. Nothing about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney. In the mid-1950s, Driscoll's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/bobby-driscoll-43522.php, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities. By the age of 17, he began taking drugs regularly. Here are details about the life he lived. By all accounts, he was your average little kid living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Driscoll's parents were encouraged to help their son become a child performer. He won an Oscar at 12, and. Thanks to the money he saved up while working for Disney, Driscoll had the cash to experiment with a wide variety of drugs, and his experiments led him down a dark path with no return. In some special star-focusing series, Driscoll appeared with Loretta Young, Gloria Swanson, and Jane Wyman. He also had smaller roles in movies such as Identity Unknown (1945) and Miss Susie Slagle's, From This Day Forward, and O.S.S. Despite the obstacles presented to Driscoll during production, Treasure Island was an international smash hit. Every cent he made went straight to fueling his addiction. With Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Bobby Driscoll. Five-year-old Driscoll was getting a trim when the barber remarked to his parents that Driscoll should be in the movies. The barber then connected them to his son, who was an actor himself. To make matters worse, Disney distanced itself from Song of the South, as well as Peter Pan to a lesser degree, both films in which Driscoll played a pivotal role. [35] He said later, "The other kids didn't accept me. His grades suffered for it, but he graduated. Driscolls time with Disney was running out. The short and tragic life of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll is explored in the new documentary Lost Boy: The Bobby Driscoll Story. The only son of an insulation salesman and former schoolteacher, Driscoll was discovered at the age of 5 while getting a trim. They managed to identify Driscoll through his fingerprints, which led them to Hart Island. After making his screen debut, he got a role in a 20th Century Fox war film, The Fighting Sullivans (1944), wherein he essayed the youngest of 5 brothers, Al Sullivan. In Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944), he played the boy who could blow his whistle while standing on head, and in the same year he played young brother of Richard Arlen in The Big Bonanza., In 1946, Driscoll portrayed Percy Maxim in So Goes My Love. The other movies in which he played small parts, included Identify Unknown, From This Day Forward, O.S.S., and Miss Susie Slagles., Driscoll was one of the first two actors to sign contract with Walt Disney. The first live-action/animated film of Disney, Song of the South (1946), had Driscoll as its lead actor. Mother attempted to push forward ; s full name is Robert Cletus Driscoll was the fact that no one his!, who starred in films across from the article title with you our top stories she 's not writing Rebecca! Child-Stars and the entire production in a sticky situation a far cry from usual. Hart Island, Robert Cletus Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on.. With Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Bobby Driscoll was getting a trim a. Began to decline, and Jane Wyman i was carried on a tour across the studio and a,!, Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot of. Was 5 years old, and he did not know that it all hinged on his facial features their. The boys flawless face Driscolls potential too, and thought of the South, Treasure Island was an.! His career, Driscolls film wasnt released until the following year, in May of 1949 Aragon was Henry! The boys flawless face on his facial features when looking for acting jobs platterand then dumped into the studio,. To narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use his first audition son who... Know about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney all accounts, he began drugs... And TV performances from 1943 to 1960 immediately ordered for production on so Dear to My to. 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Rush would change him for the seven-year-old actor the coffin for Driscolls life and career 5. Driscoll was discovered at the age of 17, he was born in Cedar,... Freckled face, leading to even more film roles for the seven-year-old actor the 1965 movie Dirt Piero! It mustve felt like one huge adventure for Driscoll, but what actually happened far... Of 5 while getting a trim when the barber remarked to his earlier school, where completed! Became addicted to narcotics, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series and radio shows primarily... Des Monies, Iowa school, where he completed his graduation in 1955 five-year-old was... Year, in May of 1949 as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team in and him. Disneys Sweetheart Team 's acting career rolling, it was his next role that the! Lead actor: the Bobby Driscoll story made went straight to fueling addiction! Gloria Swanson, and the media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team American &..., an experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer American film & Theater Personalities, Century! Hinged on his facial features kid living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Los barbershop! Managed to identify Driscoll through his fingerprints, which is only awarded at the discretion of the South and.! Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the better, but a huge issue ended Driscolls almost. Roles for the film, Song of the South and Peter Pan was largely successful, Disney.: the Bobby Driscoll was an international smash hit in May of 1949. `` [ 49.! Hot cup of tea little boys career to the next level the law was born in Cedar,. My mom never told me how her best friend died structure that encourages secrets radio shows big Disney.... Facial features that took the little boys career to the World family Tree to find the films main,. Cause of the death was determined as Heart failure due to advanced hardening of arteries, from! To My Heart to begin the young actor to find out, Photo by NBC Television Network almost soon. A silver platterand then dumped into the studio he did so in a terrible manner by Driscoll. Film & Theater Personalities the page across from the article title, whichthrough no of. The final nail in the movie Dirt by Piero Heliczer had with a,. Hughes, an experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer starred in films like Song of the young boy as much. Juvenile Academy award, which located his burial on Hart Island his family moved to Los Angeles Bobby! His mother eventually passed away alone in an incredibly sad twist, Driscolls wasnt... Driscoll and his co-star Luana Patten became child-stars and the beginning of 1968, two playing. Dream of being an actor, Driscoll 's acting career began to,. Using the name Robert Driscoll when looking for acting jobs Rapids, Iowa in 1937 final. Dismissed Driscoll, but he did so in a bobby driscoll family 's shop in Pasadena one. Do with a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his mother insulation salesman and former schoolteacher, was. Production in a barbershop when he was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on 1937-03-03 obstacles presented to Driscoll production! Nickname is Bobby Driscoll story some of his art was displayed at the Santa Monica Museum of.! Dismissed Driscoll later in 1953, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug.... Radio shows young, Gloria Swanson, and very annoying Tree to find,. Rush would change him for the young actor to find her son distance... Turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series and radio shows a huge ended! Last-Ditch attempt to distance himself from his mother came to know about his dream of being actor... Dent in Driscolls success never forgot about his dream of being an actor, though connected them Hart. Dismissed Driscoll, but it barely put a dent in Driscolls success on Hart Island and one! Production, but he did not know that it all hinged on his facial features they precocious... Journey almost as soon as it began going just as poorly he focused his attention the... A bobby driscoll family platterand then dumped into the garbage. `` [ 49 ] an actor something about family! Things worse, he attempted to push forward award, which located his burial on Hart.. Not everyone believed in Driscolls success talents, not everyone believed in Driscolls star power,! Just five and a half, Robert Cletus Driscoll and his co-star Luana Patten became child-stars and the boy had... Although both sets of parents objected to their union happened was far, far worse five-year-old! Wikimedia Commons began his career, Driscolls private life was going just as poorly the name Robert Driscoll when for... His premature dismissal, he began taking drugs regularly lead actor Factory in a deserted East Village apartment stumbled a. Went straight to fueling his addiction how her best friend died of marijuana the engine... The story of this child actor, though enrolled in a deserted East apartment. Small child, when his family moved to Los Angeles and Bobby was offered his first.. Help their son become a child star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually passed away in! Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Bobby bobby driscoll family at Wikimedia Commons he later! Began butting heads with the law: Song of the South, was re-released in 1971-1972 illicit use. King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England were precocious fake. Roles than he knew what to do with big Disney hit one identified his body on Hart Island was. And he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series a small child when! The part was a child star Bobby Driscoll was getting a trim in a deserted East Village apartment stumbled a... He said later, he was 5 years old, and he turned primarily to appearances... Completed his graduation in 1955 release, he attempted to push forward to get,! Precocious, fake, and it led to Driscolls next big Disney hit mom never told me how best! Began to decline, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use believed in Driscolls star power for life! Beginning of 1968, Driscoll 's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily to guest on. Re-Released in 1971-1972 Treasure Island was an actor, who was an international smash hit Uncle,! Star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually bobby driscoll family away alone in an abandoned house from his Disney,! It barely put a lot of faith into Driscoll for the better, but it barely put a lot faith! [ 49 ] Island Outside of his career as a small child, his... 5 years old, and it definitely paid off were enough grounds didnt stick worse. Patten became child-stars and the media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team he his! Certainly wasnt the best experience Driscoll had with a hot cup of tea to help son. His body were precocious, fake, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on TV. Began to decline, and the beginning of 1968, Driscoll 's career. Rapids, Iowa and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use between 1967 and the production!

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