Lee Aaker

Lee Aaker

Lee Aaker and Rin Tin Tin (1956)
Born Lee William Aaker
(1943-09-25) September 25, 1943
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Residence Mammoth Lakes, California
Occupation Actor, producer, carpenter, ski instructor
Years active 1951–1963 (actor)
Spouse(s) Sharon Ann Hamilton (1969-71) (divorced)

Lee William Aaker (born September 25, 1943)[1] is an American former child actor known for his appearance as Rusty "B-Company" in the television program The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.

Early years

Aaker's mother, Mrs. Myles Wilbour,[2] was the owner of a dancing school in Los Angeles.[3] (Another source says that she "ran a children's theatre academy" and that at age 4 she had Aaker "singing and dancing at local clubs.")[4]

Film

On television as a young child, he started appearing uncredited at the age of 8 in films such as The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) and High Noon (1952).[1] He quickly moved to featured status by the end of that year.

He showed talent as the kidnapped Indian "Red Chief" in a segment of the film O. Henry's Full House (1952) and another kidnap victim as the son of scientist Gene Barry in The Atomic City (1952).

In 1953, he co-starred in the John Wayne western classic Hondo (1953) as the curious blond son of homesteader Geraldine Page.[1]

He also appeared in other film styles such as the film noir thriller Jeopardy (1953) with Barbara Stanwyck, the horse opera drama Arena (1953) with Gig Young, and the comedies Mister Scoutmaster (1953) with Clifton Webb and Ricochet Romance (1954) with Marjorie Main.

Television

In 1953-54, Aaker was among the many child actors who auditioned for the role of "Jeff Miller" on the original 1954 Lassie series, which later aired as Jeff's Collie. That role went to Tommy Rettig. Two weeks later, Aaker won the role of "Rusty" on The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin, co-starring James Brown (1920–1992) as Lieutenant Ripley "Rip" Masters.[1] Aaker and Rettig were friends, and both shows were popular with audiences. The two actors and the two star dogs appeared together in a photograph used on the cover of TV Guide in 1955.[3]:236

Later years

Aaker told a newspaper reporter that when he reached the age of 21, he was paid a $10,000 lump sum by the studio that produced Rin Tin Tin "and he spent the rest of the '60s traveling around the world 'as sort of a flower child.'"[5] Unable to find work as an adult actor, Aaker got involved as a producer and later worked as a carpenter.[1]

Personal life

In the late 1960s, Aaker was married to Sharon Ann Hamilton for two years.[4] He has resided in Mammoth Lakes, California, for many years and is a special-needs ski instructor.[1]

Recognition

In 2005, Aaker won the Golden Boot Award[6] as Kids of the West.

Filmography

Film roles

Year Title Role
1951 Benjy Benjy
1952 The Greatest Show on Earth (uncredited) Boy
1952 Something to Live For (uncredited) Alternate Boy
1952 My Son John (uncredited) Boy
1952 The Atomic City Tommy Addison
1952 No Room for the Groom Donovan
1952 O. Henry's Full House J. B. Dorset aka Red Chief (The Ransom of Red Chief)
1952 Desperate Search Don Heldon
1952 Hans Christen Andersen (uncredited) Little Boy
1953 Jeopardy Bobby Stilwin
1953 Take Me to Town Corney Hall
1953 Arena Teddy Hutchins
1953 Mister Scoutmaster Arthur
1953 A Lion Is in the Streets Johnny Briscoe
1953 Hondo Johnny Lowe
1954 Ride Clear of Diablo (uncredited) Boy
1954 The Raid (uncredited) Larry's Friend
1954 Her Twelve Men (uncredited) Michael Elliot
1954 Ricochet Romance Timmy Williams
1954 Destry Eli Skinner
1954 Black Tuesday Little Boy
1955 Spin and Marty: The Movie Russell the Muscle
1956 Bigger Than Life (uncredited) Joe
1957 The Challenge of Rin Tin Tin Rusty
1963 Bye Bye Birdie (uncredited) Student leader

Television roles

Year Title Role
1952 Your Jeweler's Showcase (one episode only)
1953 Fireside Theatre (one episode only) Sandy
1953 to 1954 The Ford Television Theatre (two episodes) Joey
1954 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (one episode only)
1954 General Electric Theater (one episode only) Tim Kelly
1955 The Adventures of Spin and Marty on Walt Disney Presents Russell
1955 The Lone Ranger (one episode only) Tommy Righter
1953 to 1955 Letter to Loretta (two episodes) Jimmy Preston; Myron Carrington
1955 Screen Directors Playhouse (one episode only) Cowhide
December 20, 1956; December 19, 1957 The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford (two Christmas episodes, with Rin Tin Tin)
1957 Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers (one episode only)
1959 The Millionaire (one episode only) Tommy Spencer
1954 to 1959 The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin Rusty
1959 Rescue 8 (one episode only) Billy
1959 The Donna Reed Show (one episode only) Kenny
1959 to 1962 Disneyland (four episodes) Willy; Chuck Taylor
1960 Make Room For Daddy (one episode only) Charles
1963 The Lucy Show (one episode)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Goldrup, Tom & Goldrup, Jim (2002) Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Classic Film and Television, McFarland & Co Inc, ISBN 978-0-7864-1254-9, p. 5-12
  2. ↑ "'Corporal Rusty' Battles Indians On Television and Books With Tutor". The Times. Indiana, Hammond. International News Service. October 28, 1956. p. 85. Retrieved November 26, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 Orlean, Susan (2011). Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend. Simon and Schuster. p. 191. ISBN 9781439190159. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 Garver, Kathy; Ascher, Fred. X Child Stars: Where Are They Now?. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 32–33. ISBN 9781630761141. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Rin Tin Tin's friend is now a carpenter". Southern Illinoisan. Illinois, Carbondale. November 15, 1976. p. 18. Retrieved November 30, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "The Golden Boot Awards". The Old Corral. Retrieved 30 November 2016.

Further reading

External links


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