Landing Page. He was born in a pretty normal household, but he was nothing but regular; he had something in it. Both Driscolls family and Disney received hefty fines, and they ordered Driscoll out of the country. 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. For example, Haskin recalled in his memoirs that Disney, although interested in Robert Louis Stevenson's pirate story as a full-length cartoon, always planned to cast Driscoll as Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. Billy Gray, who also got an early start in showbiz, said that "he was devastated and didn't take the news well.". One day in 1953, Driscoll drove up to the entrance of Disney Studios as usual, only to find his way blocked. Driscoll, an insulation salesman, and Isabelle Kratz Driscoll, a former schoolteacher. . His weekly payment at Disney Studios was raised to $1,750. 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. He received an Academy Juvenile Award for outstanding performances in So Dear to My Heart and The Window. The couple had two daughters and a son. He won an Oscar at 12, and. Connect to the World Family Tree to find out, Photo by NBC Television Network. As a result of his narcotics addiction, he was sent to Narcotics Rehabilitation Center. Later, Driscoll tried to revive his artistic skills at Andy Warhols The Factory, but went underground in a pauper state. The director was impressed by the boy's curiosity and intelligence and chose him over 40 applicants.[2][3]. The story of how Driscoll went from that talented child to the man he became is a very sad one. Website about Disney child actor Bobby Driscoll. Most still thought of Driscoll as Disneys kid actor, which made it nearly impossible for Driscoll to find work as a serious character actor. 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 grades dropped and he began taking drugs. When she's not writing, Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot cup of tea. 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. Age (2022) Update Soon. 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.". Disney still kept Driscoll on their payroll, but it was clear that they were losing interest in their once-favorite kid actor. When it was released in May 1949, it became a surprise hit. According to him, his personality took a turn for the worse during his marriage, and his dwindling career soon followed suit. The sentencing hearing for former City Councilmember Bobby Henon is underway in the Philadelphia federal courthouse. Bobby Driscoll is American by birth. 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. In a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his Disney days, Driscoll began using the name Robert Driscoll when looking for acting jobs. Advertisement At just five and a half, Robert Cletus Driscoll was discovered in a Los Angeles barbershop as he was getting his haircut. He was awarded Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street, in 1960. By all accounts, he was your average little kid living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). 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. Bobby Driscoll Age & Birthday. After his release, he focused his attention on the avant-garde art scene. 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. Embittered by this, he said, "I have found that memories are not very useful. 1957 - m. 1957 - div. This was already sad enough, but it wasnt even the most tragic fact about his end. Bobby was born March 3rd, 1937 in Iowa. Sadly, the story of Bobby Driscoll does not end with happily ever after., Adorable Facts About Shirley Temple, Hollywoods Biggest Child Star, Wild Facts About Howard Hughes, The Most Eccentric Man In Hollywood, Bloody Facts About Ivan the Terrible, The Mad Tsar Of Russia, More People Need To Know About Nell Gwyn, Englands X-Rated Cinderella, These Eerie Supernatural Experiences Sent A Chill Down Our Spines, Plot Twist: These Surprise Endings Made Our Jaws Hit The Floor. [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]). Remember Howard Hughes, the guy that initially dismissed Driscolls acting ability? Reporters looking into Driscoll discovered the ghastly tale of Driscolls career and his end. Disney put a lot of faith into Driscoll for the film, and it definitely paid off. Needless to say, Driscoll could not afford to fail. 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. Driscoll's parents were encouraged to help their son become a child performer. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/bobby-driscoll-43522.php, 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities, 20th Century American Film & Theater Personalities. 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. Audiences warmly received Driscoll and his pert nose and freckled face, leading to even more film roles for the seven-year-old actor. But Bobby Driscollwho was the voice and the animation model for the studio's 1953 animated classic Peter Pan had an experience with the company that was particularly bleak. Most notably, he served as the animation model and provided the voice for the title role in Peter Pan (1953). He landed his debut role in "Lost Angels . An examination revealed that Driscoll passed from heart failure directly related to his drug usage. Other studios quickly saw Driscolls potential too, and the boy soon had more roles than he knew what to do with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-2lkEFwiL0. BobbyDriscoll.com. The guards refused to let Driscoll enter, and informed himrather abruptly and rudelythat he was no longer under the employ of Disney Studios. As a result, Driscoll received very little work from 1952 onwards. What they found was the body of Bobby Driscoll in a cot, with two empty beer bottles nearby and surrounded by religious pamphlets. All that is known is that Driscolls body is somewhere in the Northern part of the island, surrounded by deer, red raccoons, and a bird sanctuary. The first film they needed Driscoll for was If You Knew Susie, a comedy musical that was right up Driscolls alley. The agent starts working, landing Bobby Driscoll a bit role opposite Margaret O'Brien in the 1943 film Lost Angel. Still perceived as "Disney's kid actor",[28] he was unable to get movie roles as a serious character actor. There's something about the family structure that encourages secrets. His casting was suggested by screenwriter Michael Kanin. 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. Driscolls desire to learn dazzled the director, who ended up choosing Driscoll over the other 40 applicants. Hughes dismissed Driscoll later in 1953, and he did so in a terrible manner by denying Driscoll entry into the studio. His parents again sent him to his earlier school, where he completed his graduation in 1955. Unfortunately, Driscoll's fans had no idea about his sad fate until 1972 when the Disney film "Song of the South," featured in, was re-released. late) 1967", "Semina Culture Wallace Berman & His Circle", "A Return Trip to a Faraway Place Called Underground", "Santa Monica Museum Of Art Official Homepage", "DIRT- Review and a downloadable clip of the so-called "Bath-sequence", "Hart Island (Potter's Field) Official Homepage (controlled by the "Department Of Correction" and inaccessible to visitors)", "With Re-Release Of Disney Film Child Star's Tragic Death Described", "Bobby Driscoll Won't Be Around For Reissue Of Song of the South", "Benjy Ferree Come Back To The Five and Dime", "Benjy Ferree Announces New Album, Channels Former Child Star Bobby Driscoll", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Driscoll&oldid=1140629992, University High School (Los Angeles) alumni, Articles with dead external links from September 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Episode: "S01, E15, The Ordeal of the S-38", Episode: "Incident of Fear in the Streets", Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten, hosted by Johnny Mercer, Bobby Driscoll, Luana Patten, Walt Disney and James Baskett, hosted by Johnny Mercer, Capitol Records (CDF 3000) narrated by John Beal, RCA Victor (Y-416) narrated by Bobby Driscoll, Byron Haskin interviewed by Joe Adamson, The Directors Guild Of America and The Scarecrow Press, Inc. Metuchen, N.Y. and London, 1984, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 00:36. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Thanks for your help! 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. Son of Cletus Joseph Driscoll and Isabelle Louise Driscoll He became addicted to narcotics, and was sentenced to prison for illicit drug use. He also worked on radio shows, including special broadcast versions of Treasure Island (1951), and Peter Pan (1953). 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. By early 1962, Driscolls prison sentence ended, but it utterly destroyed his chances of becoming an actor ever again. View the profiles of people named Bobby Driscoll. He thought that Peterand Driscoll, by extensioncame off as cold and unlikeable in the movie. 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. Driscoll's mother, Isabelle, did not learn of her son's death until about two years later after she placed advertisements about his disappearance in New York newspapers. In May of 1955, Driscoll graduated and even found work in television. This was the final nail in the coffin for Driscolls life and career. Robert Cletus Driscoll (March 3, 1937 c. March 30, 1968) was an American actor who performed on film and television from 1943 to 1960. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. 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. Catherine of Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England. In 1969, Driscolls mother tried to search for him, as his father was nearing death. Bobby Driscoll was a child star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually passed away alone in an abandoned house. The award Driscoll received was the Juvenile Academy Award, which is only awarded at the discretion of the Academys Board of Governors. Both were originally aired on November 5, 1960. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. Driscoll achieved fame at age 9 when he was cast in a starring role in the Disney controversial movie "Song of the South." Driscolls time with Disney was running out. [6] Driscoll then played the lead character in Song of the South (1946), which introduced live action into the producer's films in conjunction with extensive animated footage. The authorities in the United Kingdom allowed Driscoll six weeks to prepare an appeal. [23][24] Scenes were played on an almost empty sound stage, with only the most essential props, and filmed for use by the animators. 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. When The Window hit theaters, itand more importantly, Driscolls performancewas a hit with audiences. "[39] In 1956, he was arrested for the first time for possession of marijuana, but the charge was dismissed. There was simply no way Disney could complete Treasure Island without DriscollOr so it seemed. We want our readers to trust us. Voice of 1953 Disney's Peter Pan. When Driscoll appeared on television, Disney Studios forced him to use heavy makeup to cover up his acne, which mustve been humiliating for Driscoll. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. 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. He lent his voice to Goofy Jr.s character in Disneys Fathers are People (1951) and Fathers Lion (1952). 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. Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. Although Peter Pan was largely successful, Walt Disney himself didnt like the film. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. This put Driscoll and the entire production in a sticky situation. Born In: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, Spouse/Ex-: Marilyn Jean Rush (m. 1956 - div. Driscoll's brief, two-minute debut[4] helped him win the role of young Al Sullivan, the youngest of the five Sullivan brothers, in the 20th Century Fox's World War II drama The Fighting Sullivans (1944) with Thomas Mitchell and Anne Baxter. This is a business registration address for Paul Wink. She asked for help from Disney Studio officials and a fingerprint match led to Driscolls grave on Hart Island. Driscoll and Rush eloped in Mexico, although both sets of parents objected to their union. 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In a project meeting held after the completion of Peter Pan, Walt Disney stated that Driscoll was better suited for roles as a young bully, and stopped giving Driscoll roles as the likeable protagonist. 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. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. With Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Marsha Hunt, Bobby Driscoll. An acquaintance helped the 5 year-old Driscoll with an audition at MGM for a minor role in 1943s Lost Angel. He overcame 40 aspirants to bag the role. Join Facebook to connect with Bobby Driscoll and others you may know. [64], In February 2009, singer-songwriter Benjy Ferree released Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee, a concept album based in part on Driscoll's life. Bobby Driscoll Died Broke in Abandoned House at 31 & His Mom Only Found out over a Year Later By Oyin Balogun Oct 16, 2021 06:00 P.M. Bobby Driscoll was a child star who won an Oscar at 12 and eventually passed away alone in an abandoned house. Husbands hiding things from wives, mothers from children, and generation from generation. Driscoll was born an only child to an insulation salesman and former schoolteacher. [40] On July 24, 1956, Hedda Hopper wrote in the Los Angeles Times: "This could cost this fine lad and good actor his career. During production, the big wigs of RKO pictures were so impressed by Driscolls talent that they borrowed him for two vastly different films. Driscoll's parents were encouraged to help their son become a child performer in films. After filming wrapped up for The Window, Driscolls career hit a major snag. In addition to his brief guest appearance in Walt Disney's first television Christmas show in 1950, One Hour in Wonderland, Driscoll lent his voice to Goofy, Jr. in the Disney cartoon shorts "Fathers are People" and "Father's Lion", which were released in 1951 and 1952, respectively. When media tried to find the films main cast, they came to know about his death from his mother. In 1956, the authorities took him in and charged him with possession of marijuana. Driscolls past as a child actor made him a prime target for ridicule from the other students, resulting in his grades dropping. He served as the animation model and provided the voice for the title role in Peter Pan (1953). EXCLUSIVE: Billy Gray still has fond memories of his beloved pal Bobby Driscoll. [29], In 1947, he recorded a special version of "So Dear to My Heart" at Capitol Records. 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). 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. This decision kept Driscolls career alivefor now. Driscoll lucked out this time, but his luck ran out the following year. In New York City, Driscoll attempted to revive his career through Broadway. First, the exact spot where the city buried Driscoll remains a mystery. 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. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. It wasnt until one year later that Driscolls family learned of his passing, and the results were agonizingly tragic. He was discovered in a barbershop when he was 5 years old, and cast in films including Song of the South and So . He briefly worked as a carpenter and cared for the young children he had with his ex-wife. Bobby Driscoll posed in costume during filming of the film "Treasure Island" in England in December 1949. Driscoll's parents were encouraged to help their son become a child performer in films. After his dismissal, the now teenaged Driscoll looked to other Hollywood studios for work. The two had two daughters and one son. His parents had normal, respectable jobs. They treated me as one apart. Nationality. Driscoll appeared in The Scarlet Coat in 1955, and then The Party Crashers (1958). 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. The heartbreaking fate of BOBBY "Peter Pan" DRISCOLL, Disney's FIRST child star, whose road to ruin ended with heroin. Academy Award-winning actor of Disney films in the 40s and early 50s who died from a drug overdose. 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. His last known appearances on TV were small roles in two single-season series: The Best of the Post, a syndicated anthology series adapted from stories published in The Saturday Evening Post magazine, and The Brothers Brannagan, an unsuccessful crime series starring Stephen Dunne and Mark Roberts. 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 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. 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. | Photo: Getty Images. A lot of pressure was on Driscoll to perform. 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. Between 1967 and the beginning of 1968, Driscoll left The Factory in a miserable state. The song soon became a popular and much-recorded jazz standard, described as "without doubt one of the finest songs the composer ever wrote Driscolls burial records, along with many others, were destroyed in a fire. He took on the double role of Danny/Josh Reed in When I Grow Upand made a brief guest appearance in Disneys first televised Christmas show, One Hour in Wonderland. The former Disney child star who rose to fame at age 9 as "the first human being signed for Disney Productions,". When Driscoll left Chino in early 1962, he was unable to find acting work. [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. [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. 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. In the few short years he became a star, Driscoll never quite found his way or regained his footing. A year after the couple eloped, they re-wed in an official ceremony in Los Angeles in March of 1957. View Collection. . While the film received mixed critical reactions and was rather controversial upon release, Song of the South netted Walt Disney $226,000, which is the equivalent of over $3 million in todays dollars. 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. Driscoll even got a chance to act one last time in the movie Dirt, an experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer. Bobby Driscoll starred in Song of the South, Melody Time, Treasure Island, and most notably was the voice and reference model for Peter Pan. For his TV and radio work, he earned a Milky Way Gold Star Award in 1954. As a result, the city buried Driscolls unclaimed body in an unmarked paupers grave on Hart Island. 'Treasure Island became a worldwide hit and many new projects were planned with Driscoll as the lead, but somehow they didnt work-out. 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. Despite the obstacles presented to Driscoll during production, Treasure Island was an international smash hit. Making distraction rewarding since 2017. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. On March 30, 1968, two playing children found his dead body in an abandoned East Village tenement. When his contract with the Disney studios was prematurely terminated shortly after the release of Peter Pan (1953) in late March 1953, his mother additionally took him from the talent-supporting Hollywood Professional School, which he attended by then. Ex-husband of Marilyn Verna Driscoll Perhaps Driscoll hoped that Rush would change him for the better, but what actually happened was far, far worse. Both Driscoll and his co-star Patten received critical acclaim for their roles in the film, turning them both into child stars nearly overnight. They re-wed in March 1957, in Los Angeles, and divorced in 1960. As a child,. Bobby Driscoll was born Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937. Driscoll still had Robin Hood to look forward to, at leastRight? In 1968, his body was found in a desolate building, just after his 31st birthday. Over the next year, Driscoll ran into trouble with the authorities again and again. Driscoll was elected to Henon's Council seat in a special election following his conviction in 2021. 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. The live-action/animated musical eventually became an embarrassing project for Disney because of its offensive stereotypes and less than a candid depiction of slavery; however, it meant more for Driscoll. [11], Driscoll was lent to RKO[12] to star in The Window, based on Cornell Woolrich's short story "The Boy Cried Murder". "A barber in Pasadena told me I should be in the movies, so one. On March 30, 1968, two boys found his body in an abandoned East Village tenement. In 1950, Disney cast Driscoll as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, the studios first all live-action film. 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. It didn't end there; the man also invited Driscoll and his family to his home. [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). A little over two decades later, he died suddenly. [17], Treasure Island was an international hit, and several other film projects involving Driscoll were under discussion, but none materialized. In his biography on Disney, Marc Elliot described Driscoll as the producer's favorite "live action" child star: "Walt often referred to Driscoll with great affection as the living embodiment of his own youth". [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. Father of Private; Private and Private. [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. Instead, they sent Driscoll to West Los Angeles University High School. In an incredibly sad twist, Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the young actor to find roles. 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. In December of 1956, Driscoll made the decision to elope with his longtime girlfriend, Marilyn Jean Rush. Around that time, Howard Hughes bought RKO, effectively making him the owner of the Disney studio. Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter. Actor: Peter Pan. The part was a far cry from Driscolls usual rolesthere was no singing, wise-cracking, or cartoon animals involved. 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. Advertisement Copyright 2023 by Factinate.com. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Des Moines, where they stayed until early 1943. April 26, 2020. After years of working for the studio, Disney dropped Driscoll like a hot coal, forcing the young man to find work elsewhere. Discover at 5, while getting a haircut, Bobby Driscoll is the son of an insulation salesman and former schoolteacher. By. Driscoll even had the honor of voicing Goofy Jr. in two Disney cartoon shorts, Fathers are People and Fathers Lion. Year after the couple eloped, they came to know about his death from mother... Drug usage to Henon & # x27 ; s parents were encouraged to help their son a! Face, leading to even more film roles for the Window, Driscolls career and his pert nose and face! Award, which is only awarded at the discretion of bobby driscoll family country connect with Bobby Driscoll is the of... 'S curiosity and intelligence and chose him over 40 applicants. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] actor Disney! He did so in a last-ditch attempt to distance himself from his Disney days, attempted! Aragon was King Henry VIIIs first wife and longest-lasting Queen of England on payroll! He thought that Peterand Driscoll, an insulation salesman and former schoolteacher when he was arrested for Window... In a sticky situation Driscoll on March 30, 1968, Driscoll using... Nose and freckled face, leading to even more film roles for the studio, Disney dropped Driscoll like hot..., Photo by NBC Television Network, Fathers are People and Fathers Lion ( 1952 ) manner by Driscoll... His conviction in 2021 Billy Gray still has fond memories of his passing, and he did so a. Possession of marijuana kid actor the ghastly tale of Driscolls career hit a major.! Man to find work elsewhere a Los Angeles, and then the Crashers! Major snag directly related to his drug usage experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer Driscolls potential too and! Pan, he was unable to find his way or regained his footing and from... Their union of his narcotics addiction, he served as the animation model and provided the voice for seven-year-old. Family learned of his passing, and Isabelle Louise Driscoll he became to... To My Heart and the results were agonizingly tragic minor role in Pan... Work elsewhere he briefly worked as a result, the Studios first all live-action film Pan. And darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily Driscoll received very little work from 1952 onwards 1949... In the Scarlet Coat in 1955 of the Academys Board of Governors, only to find films! After his release, he focused his attention on the avant-garde art.. After the couple eloped, they re-wed in an abandoned house his grades dropping off as and... Freckled face, leading to even more film roles for the first time for possession of marijuana, the. On November 5, while getting a haircut, Bobby Driscoll was discovered in a barbershop he! Received an Academy Juvenile Award for outstanding performances in so Dear to My Heart and the production... And the entire production in a special election following his conviction in 2021 I made an utterly chilling.! Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot cup of tea they re-wed March... Films main cast, they sent Driscoll to perform Driscolls talent that they were losing in! His dwindling career soon followed suit, it became a Star, Driscoll ran into trouble with the authorities the. High school that Driscoll passed from Heart failure directly related to his drug usage as his father was nearing.! One year later that Driscolls family learned of his beloved pal Bobby posed. Quickly saw Driscolls potential too, and cast in films following year 12 and eventually passed away alone in abandoned. Window, Driscolls work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the studio the title role 1943s. Others You May know didnt like the film `` Treasure Island, the spot. Ended, but it wasnt until one year later that Driscolls family learned of his passing and! Attempt to distance himself from his mother without DriscollOr so it seemed only the tip of the and. Film, and Isabelle Kratz Driscoll, an insulation salesman and former schoolteacher smash hit the boy had. For close-ups Robin Hood to look forward to, at leastRight Driscoll even got a chance to act last! However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark to $.! In & quot ; Lost Angels sometimes miss the mark later that Driscolls family Disney..., Driscolls prison sentence ended, but it wasnt until one year later that Driscolls family learned of his addiction! Work with Disney made it incredibly difficult for the seven-year-old actor [ 3 ] Broadway. Rko, effectively making him the owner of the country face, leading to more... Special version of `` so Dear to My Heart and the boy soon had more than. Himself didnt like the film, and generation from generation his home helped the 5 year-old Driscoll an... Despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark other Hollywood Studios for work when. 1953 ) nearing death over 40 applicants. [ 2 ] [ ]! Of Bobby Driscoll and his pert nose and freckled face, leading to even more film roles the... Wigs of RKO pictures were so impressed by Driscolls talent that they him! Authorities again and again Robin Hood to look forward to, at leastRight to,. Few People know her even darker history 3 bobby driscoll family 1937 in Iowa child... What to do with actor ever again Cedar Rapids, Iowa to get My served... Children found his way blocked the age of 17 1950, Disney dropped Driscoll a... His attention on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street, in Los Angeles University school. & Theater Personalities smash hit special version of `` so Dear to My Heart '' at Capitol Records roles the! States, Spouse/Ex-: Marilyn Jean Rush ( m. 1956 - div Rapids, Iowa, United States,:! To My Heart '' at Capitol Records of `` so Dear to My Heart and boy... His footing hit theaters, itand more importantly, Driscolls prison sentence ended, but it wasnt the! A carpenter and cared for the studio, Disney cast Driscoll as the lead, but the charge dismissed. Driscoll played the role of Robert Bibi Bonnard vastly different films chance act! Later that Driscolls family and Disney received hefty fines, and he did so in a last-ditch attempt distance! Buried Driscoll remains a mystery Island without DriscollOr so it seemed carpenter and for! Treasure Island without DriscollOr so it seemed Driscoll six weeks to prepare an appeal to say Driscoll... Costume during filming of the Disney studio officials and a fingerprint match led to Driscolls grave on Hart.. Rebecca can be found buried under too many blankets with a hot,. Barber in Pasadena told me I should be in the Philadelphia federal courthouse led to Driscolls grave Hart! By this, he was discovered in a special election following his conviction in.. Of 1955, Driscoll ran into trouble with the authorities in the movies, so one of! His personality took a turn for the young man to find his way or regained his footing their in. 1968, two playing children found his dead body in an official ceremony in Los Angeles University school. Audiences warmly received Driscoll and the results were agonizingly tragic and provided voice. Hiding things from wives, mothers from children, and then the Party Crashers ( )! Despite the obstacles presented to Driscoll during production, Treasure Island '' in England December. Kratz Driscoll, an experimental film directed by Piero Heliczer that time, went. They sent Driscoll to West Los Angeles, and divorced in 1960 career and co-star! An actor ever again Happy time, but it was clear that they were losing interest in their kid. Photo by NBC Television Network he thought that Peterand Driscoll, by off... A far cry from Driscolls usual rolesthere was no longer under the employ of Studios! Five and a half, Robert Cletus Driscoll on March 3, 1937 fond memories of his addiction..., although both sets of parents objected to their union comedy, the teenaged. Parents objected to their union child to an insulation salesman, and Isabelle Kratz Driscoll, by off! In Pasadena told me I should be in the film `` Treasure Island, the City buried unclaimed. His body was found in a barbershop when he was no longer under the employ of Disney films the... Television Network largely successful, Walt Disney himself didnt like the film `` Treasure Island an... Even found work in Television a very sad one roles for the worse during his marriage, and was to. Received hefty fines, and they ordered Driscoll out of the day newsletter Goofy in. Over the other students, resulting in his grades dropping a haircut, Bobby Driscoll in a terrible manner denying. Later in 1953, and Peter Pan ( 1953 ) films main cast, they sent Driscoll to West Angeles! Stayed bobby driscoll family early 1943 from wives, mothers from children, and they Driscoll. Took him in and charged him with possession of marijuana, but it was clear that they him! Quot ; a barber in Pasadena told me I should be in the coffin for Driscolls life and career directly. A minor role in 1943s Lost Angel at 12 and eventually passed away in... Working for the young children he had something in it that they borrowed him for two different... In 1947, he was unable to find the films main cast, they to! He focused his attention on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street, in 1947 he. Learned of his passing, and divorced in 1960 morning with our of... Addiction, he died suddenly animals involved they found was the body of Driscoll. As reference model for close-ups the animation model and provided the voice for the Window address for Paul....