Freddie Bartholomew
For the non-alcoholic beverage, see Freddie Bartholomew (cocktail)Freddie Bartholomew (
March 28,
1924 –
January 23,
1992) was a
British child actor, popular in
1930s Hollywood films.
Born
Frederick Llewellyn March in
Dublin, Bartholomew was abandoned by his parents while a baby, and was raised in
London by his aunt, whose name he took. While visiting the
United States, Bartholomew was reportedly seen by film producer
David O. Selznick who was soon to film
Charles Dickens'
David Copperfield (
1935). Selznick had already cast an American boy in the role, but after meeting Bartholomew realised that the character would benefit from being played by a British actor. The all-star film was a success and Bartholomew was cast in a succession of prestigious film productions with some of the most popular stars of the day.
Among his successes of the
1930s were
Anna Karenina (1935), with
Greta Garbo and
Fredric March,
Professional Soldier (1935) with
Gloria Stuart,
Little Lord Fauntleroy (
1936) with
Dolores Costello,
Lloyds of London (
1937) with
Madeleine Carroll and
Tyrone Power, and
Captains Courageous (1937) with
Spencer Tracy.
By this time Bartholomew's success and level of fame had caused his parents to attempt to gain custody of him. A protracted legal battle saw much of the wealth Bartholomew had amassed spent on legal fees. He continued acting into the
1940s but was much less popular as a teenaged actor, and by the early
1950s had retired from film.
He established a career in
advertising and distanced himself from Hollywood. Bartholomew was said to have been bitter over his lost fortune and his experiences in Hollywood, but by the early
1980s he was working as a producer for the
soap opera As The World Turns. Shortly before his death he allowed an interview for the
television documentary (
1992).
He died from
emphysema in
Sarasota, Florida.
Freddie Bartholomew has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to motion pictures, at 6667
Hollywood Boulevard.
*}}
*
Photos
