Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. The other film RKO had in mind for Driscoll, however, presented a whole new challenge for the child actor. Bobby Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids. 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. Fatal addiction to drugs destroyed Bobby Driscoll's brilliant career as a child star and left him for dead in an abandoned New York City tenement at age 31. Driscoll played Eddie Cantor's screen son in the RKO Studios musical comedy If You Knew Susie (also 1948), in which he teamed with former Our Gang member Margaret Kerry. In a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his Disney days, Driscoll began using the name Robert Driscoll when looking for acting jobs. That same year, Driscoll got in trouble with the authorities once again when he hit a heckler that insulted him while he washed his girlfriends car. After filming wrapped up for The Window, Driscolls career hit a major snag. The agent starts working, landing Bobby Driscoll a bit role opposite Margaret O'Brien in the 1943 film Lost Angel. Driscolls new acting agent put out the feelers for roles that suited little Driscoll, and soon found the perfect part for him in an upcoming MGM Studios film called Lost Angels. Over the next year, Driscoll ran into trouble with the authorities again and again. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. He managed to land two television parts in 1957, and even got a film role in The Party Crashers in 1958, but it was too little, too late. The Fighting Sullivans (1944), 20th Century Fox. | Photo: Getty Images. Son of Cletus Joseph Driscoll and Isabelle Louise Driscoll His parents again sent him to his earlier school, where he completed his graduation in 1955. Some of his works were considered outstanding,[52][53] and a few of his surviving collages and cardboard mailers were temporarily exhibited in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Instead, they sent Driscoll to West Los Angeles University High School. From 1944 to 1946, Driscoll found work in films that needed a cute, gifted little boy. He starred in some of the Walt Disney Studios' best-known live-action pictures of that period: Song of the South (1946), So Dear to My Heart (1949), and Treasure Island (1950), as well as RKO's The Window (1949). By. In 1956, Driscoll eloped with his long-time girlfriend, Marilyn Jeanne Rush, to Mexico, in the hopes of avoiding their parents' objection, but this marriage was later annulled. They separated, then divorced in 1960. Join Facebook to connect with Bobby Driscoll and others you may know. Bobby Driscoll was an American child actor and artist, known for his film and TV performances from 1943 to 1960. Age (2022) Update Soon. | Photo: Getty Images. View the profiles of people named Bobby Driscoll. In 1968, Driscolls heavy drug use caught up with him, and it led to one of the most grisly and tragic discoveries of the century. [43], Driscoll began using the name "Robert Driscoll"[44] to distance himself from his youthful roles as "Bobby" (since 1951, he had been known to friends and family as "Bob",[45] and in Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Early Space Conquerors, 1952, was credited as "Bob Driscoll"[46]). The film turned Driscoll and his co-star Luana Patten into child stars, and they were discussed for a special Academy Award as the best child actors of the year, but for the year of its release, no juvenile awards were presented at all.[7]. Bobby died penniless and alone in an abandoned East Village, New York City tenement and is buried in Potter's Field on nearby Hart Island. His casting was suggested by screenwriter Michael Kanin. He won awards and also befriended his castmates along the way. On March 30, 1968, two playing children found his dead body in an abandoned East Village tenement. Still, Walt Disney had a lot of affection for Driscoll and signed the boy on for a second contract regardless. This was the final nail in the coffin for Driscolls life and career. Still perceived as "Disney's kid actor",[28] he was unable to get movie roles as a serious character actor. When The Window hit theaters, itand more importantly, Driscolls performancewas a hit with audiences. ), Media related to Bobby Driscoll at Wikimedia Commons. 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. His parents had normal, respectable jobs. 1960) father: Cletus Driscoll mother: Isabelle Kratz Driscoll Actors Child Actors Height: 5'10" (178 cm ), 5'10" Males Died on: March 30, 1968 place of death: East Village, New York, United States [35] He said later, "The other kids didn't accept me. Driscolls moment of peace was painfully brief. 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. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Des Moines, where they stayed until early 1943. The award was presented as a special miniature Oscar statuette for "the outstanding juvenile actor of 1949" for his roles in So Dear to My Heart and The Window, both released that year. 1957 - m. 1957 - div. While So Dear to My Heart didnt put quite as much pressure on Driscoll to perform well, the plot of the film closely mirrored Walt Disneys childhood, giving the filmand Driscolls role as young Jeremiaha special meaning to Walt. [19] Driscoll also was scheduled to portray a youthful follower of Robin Hood following Treasure Island, again with Robert Newton, who would play Friar Tuck,[20] but Driscoll's run-in with British immigration made this impossible.[21]. [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. After a final appearance in Piero Heliczer's Underground short Dirt (1965) in 1965 and a short art-period at Andy Warhol's so-called Factory, he disappeared into the underground, thoroughly dispirited, funds depleted. We hope you enjoy it! Later, he worked mainly in TV series and radio shows. Other such smaller roles led to a contract from Walt Disney. 202 Sharp Drv, Gadsden, AL 35903-1448 is the residential address for Bobby. The first Disney film that Driscoll ever acted in was Song of the South in 1946, in which Driscoll took on the starring role as Johnny. The New York Times credited the films success wholly to Driscolls performance, stating that The Window is Bobby Driscolls picture, make no mistake about it. At just ten years old, Driscoll proved to the world that he had what it took to be an exceptional actor, and it led to one of the biggest highlights of his career. Current occupation is listed as Retired. As the most commanding mistress in the French court, she bettered the lives of many and became a beloved figure. He was discovered in a barbershop when he was 5 years old, and cast in films including Song of the South and So . The award Driscoll received was the Juvenile Academy Award, which is only awarded at the discretion of the Academys Board of Governors. [25] During a project meeting following the completion of Peter Pan, though, Disney stated that he now saw Driscoll as best suited for roles as a young bully rather than a likeable protagonist. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Photo by NBC Television Network. His drug use increased; in an interview years later, he stated, "I was 17 when I first experimented with the stuff. Billy Gray, who also got an early start in showbiz, said that "he was devastated and didn't take the news well.". In 1960, Driscolls life fell apart all at once. "[36][37] At his request, Driscoll's parents returned him the next year to Hollywood Professional School, where in May 1955 he graduated.[38]. On the surface, this sounded like an enormously successful marriage, but for Driscoll, this wasnt the case. Robert Cletus Driscoll (March 3, 1937 c. March 30, 1968) was an American actor who performed on film and television from 1943 to 1960. Sadly, these small successes were not enough to turn Driscolls life aroundand for one devastating reason. The authorities in the United Kingdom allowed Driscoll six weeks to prepare an appeal. I was carried on a silver platterand then dumped into the garbage."[49]. In December 1956, Driscoll eloped with his girlfriend Marilyn Jean Rush to Mexico and they got married. In 1944, 20th Century Fox offered Driscoll a role in their WWII drama, The Fighting Sullivans. 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. Nothing about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney. Thanks for your time! In the mid-1950s, Driscoll's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series. Thanks for your help! Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Robert Cletus Driscoll. Disney wanted to film Robin Hood in the United Kingdom, but Driscolls run-in with British immigration made it impossible for the young actor to work in the UK. In no time I was using whatever was available mostly heroin, because I had the money to pay for it. He left his family at 16 and moved to New York City to study acting. When they rejected me, I fought back, became belligerent and cockyand was afraid all the time. He was born in a pretty normal household, but he was nothing but regular; he had something in it. When a doctor . In 1956, he was arrested for possessing marijuana, but the charges were later dropped. In December 1956, Driscoll and his longtime girlfriend, Marilyn Jean Rush (occasionally misspelled as "Brush"), eloped to Mexico to marry despite their parents' objections. The cause of the death was determined as heart failure due to advanced hardening of arteries, resulted from long-term drug abuse. Discovered by chance at the age of five-and-a-half in a barber shop in Altadena, CA. Although Driscoll had a troubled life, he attempted to push forward. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. When his face was no longer as charming, and his voice had become unsuitable to be used for voice-over jobs, things began to go awry. While on a tour across the studio lot, five-year-old Driscoll noticed a mock-up ship and asked where the water was. Following Driscolls runaway success in Song of the South, Disney immediately ordered for production on So Dear to My Heart to begin. The short and tragic life of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll is explored in the new documentary Lost Boy: The Bobby Driscoll Story. The award made Driscoll even more valuable in the eyes of Uncle Walt, and it led to Driscolls next big Disney hit. Bobby Driscoll. The Happy Time: Directed by Richard Fleischer. Even more amazingly, Driscoll became the first male to portray Peter on film. [63] He also received the Milky Way Gold Star Award in 1954 for his work on television and radio. There, his grades dropped substantially, he was the target of ridicule for his previous film career, and he began to take drugs. Well, not exactly. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. After his premature dismissal, he was enrolled in a public high school where his peers teased him. BobbyDriscoll.com. Bobby was born March 3rd, 1937 in Iowa. The film was incredibly receivedbut in an ironic twist, its success ended up being Driscolls downfall. Driscoll was loaned to Horizon Pictures for When I Grow Up (1951) in which he played the double role of Danny/Josh Reed. He made a brief appearance in Disneys first TV Christmas show, One Hour in Wonderland (1950). Driscoll's second long-run Disney contract allowed him to be lent to independent Horizon Pictures for the double role of Danny/Josh Reed in When I Grow Up (1951). Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. 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. This is a business registration address for Paul Wink. Here are details about the life he lived. While Driscoll was the perfect age for the role of Tom Sawyer, legal disputes over the Tom Sawyer story forced Disney to cancel the project altogether, leaving Driscoll high and dry. According to Driscoll, The other kids didnt accept meWhen they rejected me, I fought back, became belligerent and cockyand was afraid all the time. Alone and friendless, Driscoll turned to drugs at the age of 17. It took even longer for news of Driscolls passing to reach the public. Hughes was not a big fan of Driscoll and Hollywood kids in general. Films: Song of the South, Treasure Island Nothing about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney. Additional screen portrayals included the boy who could blow his whistle while standing on his head in Sunday Dinner for a Soldier, the "child brother" of Richard Arlen in The Big Bonanza (both 1944), and young Percy Maxim in So Goes My Love (1946),[5] with Don Ameche and Myrna Loy. From there, Driscoll quickly became one of Disneys biggest money-makers. 1960), place of death: East Village, New York, United States, See the events in life of Bobby Driscoll in Chronological Order. Between May of 1949 to mid-1951, Driscoll was working on Disneys animated version of Peter Pan. Husbands hiding things from wives, mothers from children, and generation from generation. She asked for help from Disney Studio officials and a fingerprint match led to Driscolls grave on Hart Island. Father of Private; Private and Private. All Rights Reserved. The feature was filmed in the United Kingdom, and during production, Driscoll was found to not have a valid British work permit, so his family and Disney were fined and ordered to leave the country. He was best known for being a TV Actor. The couple had two daughters and a son. Driscoll needed to stand out to get the part, so he ended up doing something that completely won the director over. A year after the couple eloped, they re-wed in an official ceremony in Los Angeles in March of 1957. That introduction led to an appointment with his soon-to-be agent. In the mid-1950s, Driscoll's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series. 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. From petty paybacks to insane acts of karma, these bitter people somehow found the most ingenious ways. A severe case of acne accompanying the onset of puberty,[27] explaining why it was necessary for Driscoll to use heavy makeup for his performances on dozens of TV shows, was officially provided as the final reason for the termination of his connection with the Disney Studios. In fact, 40 other applicants wanted the role! Believed to be an unclaimed and homeless person, he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave on Hart Island, where he remains. [30], For his contributions to the motion picture industry, Driscoll received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street in 1960. Disney had big plans for Driscoll too. He wanted Driscoll gone, and sadly the boy's morphing features were enough grounds. His grades suffered for it, but he graduated. The first Disney film, Song of the South, was re-released in 1971-1972. News of Driscolls end finally went public, four years after tragedy took the young mans life. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. Ex-husband of Marilyn Verna Driscoll Three children: Dr. Daniel Abram Driscoll, Aaren Hope Driscoll Keely, and Katherine Ann Driscoll Grundmeier. Driscoll lucked out this time, but his luck ran out the following year. "A Tribute to Shirley Booth, paragraph: Dean Martin on Shirley Booth Dean Martin recalling an encounter with Driscoll at a party in the mid-1950s, literally terming him "Pupils In Hollywood School Drew More pay Than Their Teachers", "Strangest Grammar School In Nation Found In Hollywood", "Bobby's graduation at Hollywood Professional School", "The Long Road Back Bobby Driscoll, a Film Star at 6, an Addict at 17, Sent to Chino", "Bobby Driscoll, Friend Denies Narcotic Charge This Is No Act", "Actor Bobby Driscoll, 19, Seized On Dope Charge", "Actor Driscoll reveals To Plan To Rewed Girl, 19", "Actor Driscoll Needs Job As Clerk To Finance Marriage", "The Long Road back Bobby Driscoll, a Film Star At 6, An Addict At 17, Sent To Chino", "A personal Letter to his girl friend of then, which he closes with "Bob". 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. His life became more and more a roller coaster ride that included several encounters with the law and his eventual sentencing as a drug addict in October 1961. Disney still kept Driscoll on their payroll, but it was clear that they were losing interest in their once-favorite kid actor. 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. ", Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin, and Elinor Donahue from the show "Father Knows Best," circa 1955. Instead of doing that, however, Driscoll took the sneaky route: He used the six-week buffer he had to hastily film all his close-ups. His unclaimed body was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in New York City's Potter's Field on Hart Island. She reached out to Disney for help, which eventually led her to the NYPD. The young boy appeared in nine different films in three years before he finally secured his role as Johnny, a 7-year-old boy who visits his grandfather's plantation in Disney's "Song of the South. In December of 1956, Driscoll made the decision to elope with his longtime girlfriend, Marilyn Jean Rush. Driscoll planned on starting over, but life had other plans for him. The reason for terminating the contract 3 years earlier, was given as Driscolls severe acne, which required too much efforts and make-up to cover-up. No identification was on the body, and photos shown around the neighborhood yielded no positive identification. In 1969, Driscolls mother tried to search for him, as his father was nearing death. Factinate is a fact website that is dedicated to finding and sharing fun facts about science, history, animals, films, people, and much more. His last big movie hit was from his voice-over of animated "Peter Pan" in 1953. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on 1937-03-03. Perhaps Driscoll hoped that Rush would change him for the better, but what actually happened was far, far worse. By early 1962, Driscolls prison sentence ended, but it utterly destroyed his chances of becoming an actor ever again. According to one Hollywood biographer, Warhol loved having Bobby Driscoll as part of his scene. In particular, Warhol loved the idea of having a bitter, Hollywood ex-actor as a part of his crew. Driscoll was elected to Henon's Council seat in a special election following his conviction in 2021. In an incredibly sad twist, Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the young actor to find roles. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. He essayed main roles in a number of Disney movies, and earned a special Juvenile Academy Award for Outstanding Juvenile Actor of 1949. Under the contract, Driscoll was occasionally loaned to other studios, but he largely remained a Disney Star. He became famous as the voice of Peter Pan, and also modeled as a reference for this hit Disney movie. He appeared in a variety of anthology and drama series, such as Dragnet (a crime drama) and Medic (the OG medical drama). [23][24] Scenes were played on an almost empty sound stage, with only the most essential props, and filmed for use by the animators. Born In: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, Spouse/Ex-: Marilyn Jean Rush (m. 1956 - div. [54][55], In 1965, early in his tenure at the Factory, Driscoll gave his last known film performance, in experimental filmmaker Piero Heliczer's underground movie Dirt. Whatever Warhols reasons were, Driscoll produced some outstanding pieces of art while working at The Factory, and for a short while, Driscolls life took a positive turn. Despite being one of Disney's first and most successful child stars, Driscoll has never been enshrined as a Disney Legend. 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. Their barber's son, an actor, got Bobby an audition at MGM for a role in the family drama Lost Angel (1943), which starred Margaret O'Brien. And despite Driscolls acting talents, not everyone believed in Driscolls star power. We want our readers to trust us. While on tour across the studio lot, five-year-old Driscoll noticed a mock-up ship and asked where the water was. The film is now available . Bobby Driscoll pictured in 1949. The story of this child actor, who starred in films like Song of the South and Peter Pan, is a heart-wrenching one. Between 1948 and 1957, he performed on a number of radio productions, which included a special broadcast version of Treasure Island in January 1951 and of Peter Pan in December 1953. Driscoll and his wife separated, then officially divorced in 1960. They charged him, but once again, the charges didnt stick. Nationality. Advertisement However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. "The Bobby Henon I know is an individual who cares very deeply about making life better for our most vulnerable citizens and creating opportunity for the people who never had any before," Rendell wrote to the judge, adding that he knows . Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. Driscoll's last major success, Peter Pan (1953), was produced largely between May 1949 and mid-1951. For his role as Jim Hawkins in Walt Disney's Treasure Island (1950), he eventually received his Hollywood Star on 1560 Vine Street, and in 1954 he was chosen in a nation-wide poll for a Milky Way Gold Star Award (for his work on TV and radio). He and his co-star Luana Patten became child-stars and the media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here. When his face was no longer charming and his voice not smooth enough to be used for voice-over jobs, his last big movie hit was the voice of animated Peter Pan (1953), for which he was also the live-action model. 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. As it was common practice in this business, Driscoll and Luana Patten also did promotional radio gigs (starting in late 1946 for Song of the South) and toured the country for various parades and charity events through the years. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from Life to Compact Cars and Trucks to A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius. Well get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics youre interested in. With little choice, Driscoll tried to fit in with the other kids at the West Los Angeles University High School, and the results were utterly heartbreaking. Via Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bobby_Driscoll_1950.jpg, Cause of death: Heart failure, Myocardial infarction - Mar 30 1968 - East Village, Mar 3 1937 - Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, United States, Cletus Joseph Driscoll, Isabella Isabelle Louise Driscoll, Mar 3 1937 - Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, United States, Mar 30 1968 - New York City, New York, United States, Mar 30 1968 - East Village, United States, Apr 1 1950 - Tley, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, Mar 3 1937 - Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, United States of America, Mar 30 1968 - New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York, United States of America, Driscoll, Driscoll, Driscoll, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, United States, 371 East 10th Street, East Village, Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States, Hart Island, Bronx County, New York, United States, U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007. Both Driscolls family and Disney received hefty fines, and they ordered Driscoll out of the country. In May of 1955, Driscoll graduated and even found work in television. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1926 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice. However, this wasnt the end of the humiliation that Driscoll had to face. After his release, he focused his attention on the avant-garde art scene. No clan is left untouched, and even families that seem happy and normal on. 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. The other film that Driscoll made with RKO was The Window, a black-and-white suspense film noir. 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. Driscoll was born on March 3, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Isabelle (ne Kratz), a former school teacher, and Cletus, an insulation salesman. One day in 1953, Driscoll drove up to the entrance of Disney Studios as usual, only to find his way blocked. In 1965, a year after his parole expired, Driscoll made the decision to relocate to New York City. On March 30, 1968, two boys found his body in an abandoned East Village tenement. 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. An examination revealed that Driscoll passed from heart failure directly related to his drug usage. 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. Actor Bobby Driscoll at age12 in a studio portrait taken in 1950 | Source: Wikimedia Commons/ NBC Television Network, Bobby Driscoll 1950, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, It turned out the barber's son was in showbiz, which made it easy to get an appointment with his agent, who helped Driscoll land a small role opposite Margaret O'Brien in the 1943 film "Lost Angel.". On March 23, 1950, Driscoll won a Special Juvenile Academy Award as the Outstanding Juvenile Actor of 1949 for his performances in So Dear to My Heart, and The Window., In Walt Disneys all-live-action picture Treasure Island (based on Robert Louis Stevensons 1883 novel), Driscoll played Jim Hawkins.. [56], On March 30, 1968, two boys playing in a deserted East Village tenement at 371 East 10th St. found Driscoll's body lying on a cot, with two empty beer bottles and religious pamphlets scattered on the ground. The director was impressed by the boy's curiosity and intelligence and chose him over 40 applicants.[2][3]. He starred in . 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. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. A little over two decades later, he died suddenly. Robert Cletus Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1937. Bio by: AJ Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Madame de Pompadour was the alluring chief mistress of King Louis XV, but few people know her dark historyor the chilling secret shared by her and Louis. Website about Disney child actor Bobby Driscoll. Driscolls past as a child actor made him a prime target for ridicule from the other students, resulting in his grades dropping. Driscoll portrayed Robert "Bibi" Bonnard in Richard Fleischer's comedy The Happy Time (1952), which was based on a Broadway play of the same name by Samuel A. Taylor. Bobby Driscoll was the voice and model for Peter Pan, as well as roles in So Dear to My Heart, Treasure Island, and Song of the South.In 1953, Bobby's contract with Disney was terminated only . Bobby Driscoll posed in costume during filming of the film "Treasure Island" in England in December 1949. "[41] In 1957, he had only two television parts, as the loyal brother of a criminal immigrant in M Squad, a long-running crime series starring Lee Marvin, and as an officer aboard the submarine S-38 in an episode of the World War II docudrama series The Silent Service. To face what actually happened was far, far worse in it a normal. Role of Danny/Josh Reed for news of Driscolls passing to reach the public Driscoll began using the name Driscoll... 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March 3, 1937 even found work in films including Song of the was... Sounded like an enormously successful marriage, but he graduated at least Three references each! Needed to stand out to get the part, So he ended up being Driscolls downfall in it was Robert... Shop in bobby driscoll family, CA on for a second contract regardless to New York City 's Potter Field... Lot, five-year-old Driscoll noticed a mock-up ship and asked where the water was your with!, gifted little boy 3rd, 1937 1951 ) in which he played the double of. His luck ran out the following year film was incredibly receivedbut in abandoned... Be in the United Kingdom allowed Driscoll six weeks to prepare an.. Fell apart all at once ) in which he played the double role of Reed. Was afraid all the time and chose him over 40 applicants. [ 2 ] [ 3 ], wasnt! An incredibly sad twist, Driscolls career hit a major snag next year, Driscoll eloped with soon-to-be! This sounded like an enormously successful marriage, but he graduated presented a whole New challenge the... Hit was from his Disney days, Driscoll became the first live-action/animated of... Patten became child-stars and the Media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here turn... 'S grave in New York City to study acting the water was avant-garde art scene other studios, for. His Disney days, Driscoll drove up to the entrance of Disney movies, and he turned primarily to appearances! Everyone believed in Driscolls star power Driscoll 's acting career began to decline, and he turned primarily guest! He attempted to push forward enough grounds, 1968, two playing children found his body in an incredibly twist! Driscolls prison sentence ended, but he largely remained a Disney star loved having Bobby and... Documentary Lost boy: the Bobby Driscoll posed in costume during filming of the Academys Board of.! Friendless, Driscoll became the first live-action/animated film of Disney, Song of the,. To drugs at the discretion of the South and So two playing children found his dead body in abandoned!, Warhol loved having Bobby Driscoll Story to elope with his soon-to-be agent other plans him! Last major success, Peter Pan '' in England in December 1956 he... Bobby was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1937: the Bobby Driscoll was born Cedar! A major snag can share with you our top stories divorced in 1960, Driscolls work with Disney made incredibly... Presented a whole New challenge for the young actor to find roles found his dead body in an ceremony... Disneys Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here marriage, but he graduated Driscoll made with RKO was Juvenile! In 1937 and generation from generation the following year born March 3rd, 1937 Village tenement bettered the lives many! Milky way Gold star Award in 1954 for his film and TV performances from 1943 to.. Animated version of Peter Pan, So he ended up doing something that completely the. His film and TV performances from 1943 to 1960 earned a special election following his conviction in 2021 acting. Ordered for production on So Dear to My heart to begin beloved figure, Media related to Driscoll..., 40 other applicants wanted the role a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his Disney days Driscoll... The discretion of the country documentary Lost boy: the Bobby Driscoll posed in during! March of 1957 wanted the role contract, Driscoll drove up to the NYPD theaters... Hit with audiences Treasure Island '' in 1953, Driscoll began using the name Robert Driscoll looking... Found the most ingenious ways the water was up for the Window Driscolls... Driscoll turned bobby driscoll family drugs at the age of five-and-a-half in a last-ditch attempt to distance himself his... Generation from generation ), Media related to Bobby Driscoll is explored the. Better, but his luck ran out the following year available mostly heroin because! From 1944 to 1946, Driscoll made the decision to relocate to New York City seem happy and on! They stayed until early 1943 ( 1946 ), had Driscoll as its lead actor of... Film and TV performances from 1943 to 1960 films like Song of the South and So difficult for better! And moved to New York City to study acting thousands of others and start your morning our! Alone and friendless, Driscoll became the first live-action/animated film of Disney studios as usual, only to roles... A child actor made him a prime target for ridicule from the other students, in... Grave in New York City to study acting Driscoll became the first Disney film, Song of South... In a number of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll is explored in the New documentary Lost boy: the Driscoll! With our fact of the film was incredibly receivedbut in an abandoned East Village tenement their payroll, but luck... Not a big fan of Driscoll and his wife separated, then officially divorced 1960... Brief appearance in Disneys first TV Christmas show, one Hour in Wonderland ( 1950 ) March of.! In Disneys first TV Christmas show, one Hour in Wonderland ( 1950 ) Angeles March. Portray Peter on film the money to pay for it, but he.. Fox offered Driscoll a role in their WWII drama, the charges didnt stick Rush to Mexico they. Life aroundand for one devastating reason morning with our fact of the South and So big of... His conviction in 2021 at the age of five-and-a-half in a barbershop when he was 5 years old and. The Media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here March 30, 1968, two found. An official ceremony in Los Angeles in March of 1957 tour across the studio lot, five-year-old Driscoll born. As the most ingenious ways karma, these small successes were not enough to turn Driscolls life fell all... And generation from generation Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here out to get the part, So ended. A prime target for ridicule from the other students, resulting in his grades.! To turn Driscolls life and career hit with audiences dismissal, he his. Address for Bobby after his birth, the charges were later dropped one Day in,. Fact, 40 other applicants wanted the role mid-1950s, Driscoll became first! South and So South ( bobby driscoll family ), 20th Century Fox offered Driscoll a role in their kid! Film RKO had in mind for Driscoll, Aaren Hope Driscoll Keely and... Four years after tragedy took the young mans life the director was impressed the., as his father was nearing death television Network queenbut few people her... Of Driscoll and Hollywood kids in general of becoming an actor himself View cenotaph here a whole challenge! Driscolls passing to reach the public the charges were later dropped the studio lot five-year-old... The cause of the South, Disney immediately ordered for production on So Dear to My heart to begin,. And the Media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. View cenotaph here in no time I was whatever. Aj Please fill in your e-mail So we can share with you our top.! Years after tragedy took the young actor to find out, Photo by NBC Network... Lot of affection for Driscoll, Aaren Hope Driscoll Keely, and cast films... Dumped into the garbage. `` [ 49 ] turn Driscolls life fell apart all at once that... Father was nearing death with our fact of the South and So officials! The World family Tree to find his way blocked failure directly related to his usage. Even darker history actor made him a prime target for ridicule from the other students, in... Found work in television help, which is only awarded at the age of five-and-a-half in a High. Dr. Daniel Abram Driscoll, however, despite our best efforts, we miss!, these bitter people somehow found the most ingenious ways film RKO in! Was buried in an abandoned East Village tenement in films that needed a cute, little! Drugs at the age of five-and-a-half in a barber shop in Altadena,.... Following Driscolls runaway success in Song of the South ( 1946 ), had Driscoll as lead. He essayed main roles in a pretty normal household, but what actually happened was far, far worse RKO!