Robert Cletus Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1937. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. The role was minor, but it was the start of many movies that capitalized on Driscoll's features, including his pert nose and freckled face. It took even longer for news of Driscolls passing to reach the public. Bobby Driscoll was a child star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually passed away alone in an abandoned house. After his premature dismissal, he was enrolled in a public high school where his peers teased him. "[39] In 1956, he was arrested for the first time for possession of marijuana, but the charge was dismissed. Still determined to become an actor, Driscoll left his parents home at 16. 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. Still, Walt Disney had a lot of affection for Driscoll and signed the boy on for a second contract regardless. The State of California sent Driscoll to the Narcotic Rehabilitation Center of the California Institution for Men in Chino, California. Instead, they sent Driscoll to West Los Angeles University High School. Please let us know if a fact weve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect its inaccurate) by reaching out to us at contribute@factinate.com. Son of Cletus Joseph Driscoll and Isabelle Louise Driscoll 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. Driscoll and Luana Patten were the first two actors Walt Disney placed under contract. [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). Also Known As: Robert Cletus Driscoll Died At Age: 31 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Marilyn Jean Rush (m. 1956 - div. Nothing about his early childhood indicated a future career with Walt Disney. 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. 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. Husbands hiding things from wives, mothers from children, and generation from generation. He had been getting a trim in a barber's shop in Pasadena when one barber told him he should be in the movies. She reached out to Disney for help, which eventually led her to the NYPD. Both Driscolls family and Disney received hefty fines, and they ordered Driscoll out of the country. Hughes probably didnt expect much of a reaction, but he couldnt have been more wrong. He became addicted to narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use. top of page. Rebecca had her start in writing in elementary school, when a short story she wrote was published in her school's yearbook; she's been chasing the thrill of having her works published ever since. In December 1956, Driscoll and his longtime girlfriend, Marilyn Jean Rush (occasionally misspelled as "Brush"), eloped to Mexico to marry despite their parents' objections. -. 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. [13], So Dear to My Heart and The Window earned Driscoll a special Juvenile Academy Award in March 1950 as the outstanding juvenile actor of 1949. Unfortunately, Driscoll could not escape the shadows of his past and ended up dropping out of both prestigious universities. He became addicted to narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use. 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. Over the next year, Driscoll ran into trouble with the authorities again and again. In an incredibly sad twist, Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the young actor to find roles. Born In: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, Spouse/Ex-: Marilyn Jean Rush (m. 1956 - div. [63] He also received the Milky Way Gold Star Award in 1954 for his work on television and radio. Just like that, precocious little Driscoll took his first steps toward a whole new lifebut his road to stardom was not going to be an easy one. He appeared in a variety of anthology and drama series, such as Dragnet (a crime drama) and Medic (the OG medical drama). No clan is left untouched, and even families that seem happy and normal on. After three years of taking on minor acting roles, Driscoll got the chance of a lifetime when he caught the eye of the one and only Walt Disney. 'Treasure Island became a worldwide hit and many new projects were planned with Driscoll as the lead, but somehow they didnt work-out. 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. Following Driscolls runaway success in Song of the South, Disney immediately ordered for production on So Dear to My Heart to begin. And despite Driscolls acting talents, not everyone believed in Driscolls star power. His grades suffered for it, but he graduated. He and his co-star Luana Patten became child-stars and the media dubbed them as Walt Disneys Sweetheart Team.. | Photo: Getty Images. In December of 1956, Driscoll made the decision to elope with his longtime girlfriend, Marilyn Jean Rush. While Disney likes to believe it has a squeaky-clean image, one look at Bobby Driscoll will tell you that things are never that simple. Includes such notable movie screen appearances as The Fighting Sullivans (1944), Song of the South (1946), So Dear to My Heart (1948), and The Window (1949), which was not only the sleeper of 1949 but even earned him his Academy Award in March 1950 as the outstanding juvenile actor of 1949. March 1, 2021 - 7:01AM Former Disney child star Bobby Driscoll rose to fame at age 9 as "the first human being signed for Disney Productions." He won a Juvenile Oscar at age 12 and went on to voice the title role in 1953's animated film Peter Pan at age 16, but met a tragic end. After filming wrapped up for The Window, Driscolls career hit a major snag. 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. [29], In 1947, he recorded a special version of "So Dear to My Heart" at Capitol Records. Occasionally, the director overdoes things a bit in striving for shock effectsBut "The Window" is Bobby Driscoll's picture, make no mistake about that. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Robert Cletus Driscoll. 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. The other film RKO had in mind for Driscoll, however, presented a whole new challenge for the child actor. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. In 1969, Driscolls mother tried to search for him, as his father was nearing death. 22nd Academy Award Ceremony of March 23, 1950 excerpt, Donald O'Connor presenting Bobby Driscoll his Oscar, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, "Hot-Rod Stage Shares Affections of Bobby Driscoll", "Lost Angel Bobby's very first filmrole", "That Little Girl in 'Song of the South' a Big Girl Now", "So Dear to My Heart actual production dates", "The Window, "Depicting Terror of Boy in Fear of His Life", "British Court Upholds Bobby Driscoll Fine", "Walt Disney Will Follow Up 'Treasure Island', "Disney Again to Wed Cartoons, Live Action", "Memorablia & Collectibles (signed production photographs with detailed captions", "$300-A-Week Smile There Is a Film Santa", "New Contract For Boy Film Actor Approved". In 1956, the authorities took him in and charged him with possession of marijuana. 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. As a result, Driscoll received very little work from 1952 onwards. A year after the couple eloped, they re-wed in an official ceremony in Los Angeles in March of 1957. In 1965, a year after his parole expired, Driscoll made the decision to relocate to New York City. 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. Bobby Driscoll was Disney's first fallen child star whose rejection and eventual self-sabotage led him to a bizarre and unfortunate early death. 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. In 1956, he was arrested for possessing marijuana, but the charges were later dropped. [60][61][62], Driscoll received an Academy Juvenile Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the 22nd Academy Awards presentation in 1950. Thanks for your help! [65], In September 2011, American singer-songwriter Tom Russell released the song "Farewell Never Neverland" on the album Mesabi, an elegy for Bobby Driscoll as Peter Pan. From 1944 to 1946, Driscoll found work in films that needed a cute, gifted little boy. It didn't end there; the man also invited Driscoll and his family to his home. [30], After Driscoll left the Disney studios, his parents withdrew him from the Hollywood Professional School, which served child movie actors,[31][32][33][34] and sent him to the public West Los Angeles University High School, instead. His drug use increased; in an interview years later, he stated, "I was 17 when I first experimented with the stuff. [58][59], Late in 1969, Driscoll's mother sought the help of officials at Disney studios to contact him, for a hoped-for reunion with his father, who was nearing death. and then convincing in anything he ever undertook on the movie screen and on television throughout his career spanning 17 years (1943-1960). The teaser of the Pecos Bill section of Disneys 1948 cartoon collection Melody Time featured Driscoll and Patten. She asked for help from Disney Studio officials and a fingerprint match led to Driscolls grave on Hart Island. 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. From there, Driscoll quickly became one of Disneys biggest money-makers. Bobby Driscoll was a natural-born actor. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. The story of how Driscoll went from that talented child to the man he became is a very sad one. Believed to be an unclaimed and homeless person, he was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave on Hart Island, where he remains. The short and tragic life of Disney child star Bobby Driscoll is explored in the new documentary Lost Boy: The Bobby Driscoll Story. The sentencing hearing for former City Councilmember Bobby Henon is underway in the Philadelphia federal courthouse. For a short time, Driscoll did everything he could to rehabilitate his image. Bobby Driscoll was born in Cedar Rapids. Bobby Driscoll and Connie Stevens in The Party Crashers (1958) After his appearance in The Party Crashers, the party truly started crashing around Driscoll. His parents had normal, respectable jobs. Moves from Des Monies, Iowa to Los Angeles. Summertime "Summertime" is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess.The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, and Ira Gershwin. Advertisement At just five and a half, Robert Cletus Driscoll was discovered in a Los Angeles barbershop as he was getting his haircut. In 1968, his body was found in a desolate building, just after his 31st birthday. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. Lets just, Song of the South (1946), Walt Disney Productions, So Dear to My Heart (1948), Walt Disney Productions, Treasure Island (1950), Walt Disney Productions, The Party Crashers (1958), Paramount Pictures, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Scandalous Facts About Lady Caroline Lamb, The High Society Outcast, Strange Facts of Nick Adams, The Enigmatic Celebrity, Straight Up Facts About Paula Abdul, The Queen Of Reality TV, Heartbreaking Facts About Desi Arnaz, The Man Who Loved Lucy. His casting was suggested by screenwriter Michael Kanin. 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. Driscoll made four movies for Disney, including "Treasure Island" and "Peter Pan." Landing Page. 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. In some special star-focusing series, Driscoll appeared with Loretta Young, Gloria Swanson, and Jane Wyman. He was best known for being a TV Actor. Needless to say, Driscoll could not afford to fail. Robert Cletus Bobby Driscoll was an American child artist, known for his work in popular Walt Disney pictures, including So Dear to My Heart, Treasure Island, and Song of the South. Born in Iowa, his family later moved to California. His parents had normal, respectable jobs. They separated, then divorced in 1960. That introduction led to an appointment with his soon-to-be agent. 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. They were allowed to remain for six weeks to prepare an appeal, and director Byron Haskin hastily shot all of Driscoll's close-ups,[16] using his British stand-in to film missing location scenes after his parents and he had returned to California. The two had two daughters and one son. Even more amazingly, Driscoll became the first male to portray Peter on film. 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. On another series, Men of Annapolis, he appeared with John Smith, future second husband of Driscoll's Song of the South co-star, Luana Patten. In the 1952 comedy, The Happy Time, based on a Broadway play, Driscoll played the role of Robert Bibi Bonnard. In Walt Disneys animated Peter Pan, he lent his voice to Peter Pan and worked as reference model for close-ups. 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 real tragedy of Bobby Driscoll was the fact that no one identified his body. With Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Bobby Driscoll. Although Driscoll had a troubled life, he attempted to push forward. 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. 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'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. On March 30, 1968, two playing children found his dead body in an abandoned East Village tenement. [22] Driscoll was cast with Disney's "Little British Lady" Kathryn Beaumont, who was in the role of Wendy Darling; he was used as the reference model for the close-ups and provided Peter Pan's voice, and dancer and choreographer Roland Dupree was the model for the character's motion. After his dismissal, the now teenaged Driscoll looked to other Hollywood studios for work. By the age of 17, he began taking drugs regularly. The courtroom is packed with Henon's family and supporters, with more . Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. On March 30, 1968, two playing children discovered Driscoll's dead body in an abandoned East Village tenement. 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