Bobby Driscoll Discussion Thread

[The_Iceflash]

<center>Bobby Driscoll

(March 3, 1937 – March 30, 1968)

He was an American child actor known for a large body of cinema and TV performances from 1943 to 1960. He starred in some of The Walt Disney Company's most popular live-action pictures of that period, such as Song of the South (1946), So Dear to My Heart (1948), and Treasure Island (1950). He served as animation model and provided the voice for the title role in Peter Pan (1953). In 1950, he received an Academy Juvenile Award for outstanding performance in feature films.
In the mid-1950s, Driscoll's career began to decline, turning primarily to guest appearances on anthology TV series. He became addicted to narcotics and was sentenced to prison for drug use. After his release he focused his attention on the avant-garde art scene. In ill health from his drug use, and his funds completely depleted, he died in March 1968.</center>

[Disney Guru]

Sad end but a very talented adorable child star. He just couldn't adjust to the fact as he got older that his career went down. Many child stars end up that way unfortunately. A few come to mind. Loved him in of course Song of the South, So Dear to My Heart was simply beautiful as well. RIP Bobby I hope that you found the peace/love that you needed up above.

[PixarFan2006]

I have heard of Bobby Driscoll, but I never realized that he died so young.

[Cordy_Biddle]

So many child stars have come to tragic ends, but seldom more so than Bobby Driscoll. There is, apparently, a rather disturbing picture floating around which shows Bobby a few weeks before his death, looking quite thin and unwell--thankfully I've never seen it (and don't think I would ever want to).

Were his remains ever recovered from Potters Field and given a proper burial?

[The_Iceflash]

It is quite a shame.

[slave2moonlight]

He was a wonderful actor. His Disney films are all absolute favorites of mine.

[Jules]

I was going to come into this thread and say something like "Bobby Driscoll = lace collar".

Dead at 31. So sad.

[Widdi]

Not only dead at 31, but buried in a paupers grave and identified by his mother through photos of his dead body over a year after his death.

Yup, Peter Pan sure met a nasty end.

[Cheshire_Cat]

I've recently taken an interest in Driscoll's biography. His very last known film appearance was in some kind of underground film entitled Dirt - if anybody knows where I can watch that movie online, I would very much appreciate it.

He eloped to Mexico with a lady named Marilyn Jean Rush and had three children with her before divorcing her in 1960. I wonder what Marilyn and his three children are up to these days.

Could anybody perhaps lead me to some interviews made by Driscoll and those close to him?

[Cordy_Biddle]

Have Driscoll's remains ever been exhumed from Potter's Field and re-buried with a proper tombstone?

[DisneyAnimation88]

I believe his remains were not exhumed from Potter's Field and that he remains buried there.

[Cordy_Biddle]

How sad. Is there at least a marker, so he has a small memorial?

[DisneyAnimation88]

Not that I'm aware of, at least none I've come across when looking into it but someone else may know more on the matter than I do. The tragedy is that he was genuinely very talented but it seems he struggled to be taken seriously as an actor once he left Disney. It is horrible to think that he died in such a lonely and sad manner and that he never reconciled with his family before his death.

[Cordy_Biddle]

He was such a passionate young actor, and definitely had the potential to ride out the difficult transition from child star to leading man. Check out the "Big Jim" episode of THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW. Sure he has those facial pimples that, according to his friends, made him embarrassed, but his quality of acting is outstanding.

[DisneyAnimation88]

Sometimes, regardless of talent, some actors become caught in a downward spiral that they can't escape. Had his mother not searched for him in order to reconcile him with his dying father, I wonder if we would have ever known what happened to Driscoll. It would be nice if one day his legacy is commemorated with a Disney Legend award.

[Cordy_Biddle]

It's only fitting.

[Cheshire_Cat]

Check out the "Big Jim" episode of THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW. Sure he has those facial pimples that, according to his friends, made him embarrassed, but his quality of acting is outstanding.

Do you know where I can find that episode online? I checked on Youtube and searched on google, but I couldn't find anything.

[Lazario]

I haven't seen much of him but I didn't feel anything for his character in Song of the South and he was outright smack-worthy in Melody Time. Every last expression on his face just screamed: shut up, girl, you don't belong here!

[Cordy_Biddle]

Check out the "Big Jim" episode of THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW. Sure he has those facial pimples that, according to his friends, made him embarrassed, but his quality of acting is outstanding.

Do you know where I can find that episode online? I checked on Youtube and searched on google, but I couldn't find anything.

You could try Hulu.com, or perhaps one of those sites that carries public domain copies of TV episodes. The "Big Jim" episode is now public domain.

[The_Iceflash]

I haven't seen much of him but I didn't feel anything for his character in Song of the South and he was outright smack-worthy in Melody Time. Every last expression on his face just screamed: shut up, girl, you don't belong here!

Have you seen So Dear To My Heart? If not it is a must watch!