Lee Aaker

Lee Aaker
Born Lee William Aaker
September 25, 1943
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation Actor, producer, carpenter
Years active 1951–63 (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.

Biography

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 hoss opera drama Arena (1953) with Gig Young and the comedies Mister Scoutmaster (1953) with Clifton Webb and Ricochet Romance (1954) with Marjorie Main.

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.

Unable to find work as an adult actor, Aaker got involved as a producer and later worked as a carpenter.[1]

Lee Aaker has resided in Mammoth Lakes, California, for many years and is a special needs ski instructor.[1]

In 2005, Aaker won the Golden Boot Award 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. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 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

External links