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Phillip Alford

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Phillip Alford
Philip Alford in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Born (1948-09-11) September 11, 1948 (age 75)
OccupationActor
Years active1962–1972
SpouseCarol Sue Moore (? - ?) (divorced) (2 children)

Phillip Alford (born September 11, 1948) is an American actor best known for his role as Jem Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird.

Career

Alford appeared in three productions with Birmingham's Town and Gown Civic Theatre, whose director called up Alford's mother to see if her son was interested in auditioning for the part of Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird.[1] Initially Alford had refused, but agreed to audition under the condition that he would miss half a day of school.[1] As one of the three finalists, he was called to New York City for a screen test several weeks later[1] and won the role of Jem Finch.

During the filming, his parents drove to Hollywood to be with him, and his sister became the stand-in actress for Mary Badham, who played Jem's sister, Scout, in the film.[citation needed] He and Badham were constantly bickering and at odds with each other during most of the shoot; at one time after their worst argument, he had planned mischief against her.[1]

Alford's other acting credits include: Bristle Face (1964) (TV); the role of "Boy" in the Jimmy Stewart classic Shenandoah (1965); The Intruders (1970) (TV); and Fair Play (1972) (TV).

Personal life

Phillip Alford is currently a successful businessman in Grenada, Mississippi and stays out of the limelight. He followed his father into the construction business.[2] Alford is married and has two children.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1962 To Kill a Mockingbird Jem Finch
1963 The Lloyd Bridges Show Boford Tyree 1 episode
1964 Disney Land Jace Landers 1 episode
1965 Shenandoah Boy
1969 CBS Playhouse Hugh 1 episode
1970 The Virginian Joe Thurman 1 episode
1970 The Intruders Harold Gilman TV Movie
1972 Fair Play Teddy TV Movie, (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Fearful Symmetry: The Making of To Kill a Mockingbird (DVD). Universal Studios. 1998.
  2. ^ "Rivalry and racism: What really happened behind the scenes of ‘Mockingbird", New York Post

Further reading

  • Goldrup, Tom and Jim (2002). Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Film and Television. McFarland & Co. p. 13–19. ISBN 1476613702.
  • Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 276.
  • Dye, David (1988). Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., p. 4.

External links