Martin Spellman
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Martin Spellman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Spencer Tracy and Spellman in Boys Town (1938) | |
| Born | Martin Spellman IV October 8, 1925 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 2020 (aged 94) Vancouver, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation | Child actor |
| Years active | 1938–1957 |
Martin Spellman IV (October 8, 1925 – May 6, 2020) was an American child actor active in films during the 1930s and 1940s.
Career
Martin Spellman IV was born in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa. After his family moved to California, at the age of 9 he first entered the MGM studios not as a prospective actor but as a newsboy.[1]
He became such a familiar figure at MGM that for Christmas 1937, they decided to give him a very special Christmas present. Clark Gable invited him to work as an extra for a few days on the film Test Pilot where he had an uncredited role. After that, he played Skinny in the 1938 film Boys Town, starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.[2] In 1939, he co-starred in Streets of New York with Jackie Cooper.[3] The following year he had another leading role in Son of the Navy with Jean Parker and James Dunn.
Spellman's film career ended in 1941. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Returning to civilian life, he spent 27 years in the business world, and then switched to automobile finance and insurance.[4]
Spellman died in Vancouver, Washington in May 2020 at the age of 94.[5]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Test Pilot | Kid |
| Boys Town | Skinny | |
| Sharpshooters | Prince Michael Martin | |
| Santa Fe Stampede | Billy Carson | |
| I Am a Criminal | Bobby | |
| 1939 | Let Us Live | Jimmy Dugan |
| Beau Geste | Digby Geste as a child | |
| The Streets of New York | William McKinley 'Gimpy' Smith | |
| Law of the Wolf | Johnny | |
| Fangs of the Wild | Buddy Brady | |
| 1940 | Son of the Navy | Tommy |
| Hold That Woman! | Mike Mulvaney | |
| 1941 | Meet the Chump | Champ |
| Confessions of Boston Blackie | Jimmy Parrish |
References
- ^ Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 154.
- ^ "Martin includes 'Daisy'". Oakland Tribune. April 28, 1940. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
- ^ "Jackie Cooper and Friend". The Bakersfield Californian. July 8, 1939. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
- ^ "Martin Spellman". Mar-Ken School/Lawlor Professional School. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ Martin Spellman IV, legacy.com; accessed June 20, 2020.
Bibliography
- Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 154.
External links
- Martin Spellman at IMDb
- Martin Spellman, in boyactors.org.uk
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