AmericanActorMaleChild Actor

Robert Ellis (actor, born 1933)

American child actor Robert Ellis (1933-1973) was the last Henry Aldrich on radio and later produced educational films.

1. Overview

Robert Ellis (September 24, 1933 - November 23, 1973) was an American child actor who appeared in films and television during the 1940s and 1950s. He was notable for being the last actor to portray Henry Aldrich on the radio series The Aldrich Family and later worked as a producer of educational films.

2. Early Life

Robert Ellis was born in Chicago, Illinois, and received his education in professional children's schools before pursuing higher studies in theater arts.

2.1. Background and Education

Robert Ellis was born on September 24, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother was Fern Bloomfield. He received his education at professional children's schools located in both New York City and Hollywood. Later, he pursued studies in theater arts at Columbia University.

3. Career

Ellis's career spanned from his debut as a child actor to his later work as a producer, encompassing significant roles in radio, film, and television.

3.1. Debut and Child Stardom

Ellis began his acting career at the young age of five. Throughout his career, he appeared in approximately 50 films and television shows, sometimes credited as "Bobby Ellis." In 1948, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his talent with a special certificate for his acting and dancing performance as Buster Tyme in the film April Showers, which featured Ann Sothern and Jack Carson.

3.2. Radio and Television Appearances

Ellis gained significant recognition for his radio work, notably as the last actor to play Henry Aldrich on the long-running radio series The Aldrich Family.

Robert Ellis in Meet Corliss Archer
Robert Ellis in Meet Corliss Archer


On television, he was a series regular on the final two seasons of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, where he portrayed Ralph Grainger, a college friend of Ronnie Burns. He also appeared as Dexter Franklin in the Ziv Television production of Meet Corliss Archer in both 1951 and from 1954 to 1955. His other television credits include appearances in I Love Lucy (1952) as Tommy the Office Boy, The Lone Ranger (1955) as Jack 'Kid' Hall, The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial (1956) as George Barnett, and two episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1957. He also appeared in Death Valley Days (1959) as Ben and The Donna Reed Show (1959) as a Young Man.

3.3. Film Appearances

Ellis's film career included a variety of roles, from credited performances to uncredited appearances and voice work. His notable film roles include Buster Tyme in April Showers (1948), a young Babe Ruth in The Babe Ruth Story (1948), Buzz Wexford in The Green Promise (1949), and Jack Elkins in El Paso (1949). He also lent his voice to the character of Cubby, one of the Lost Boys in the 1953 animated film Peter Pan. Other film appearances include A Kiss for Corliss (1949) as Raymond Pringle, Walk Softly, Stranger (1950) as Skating Boy, Call Me Mister (1951) as Ack-Ack Ackerman, and Shorty Devine in Retreat, Hell! (1952). He had uncredited roles in films such as Mexican Hayride (1948), Easy Living (1949), Niagara (1953), Prisoner of War (1954), The Long Gray Line (1955), Tea and Sympathy (1956), Don't Give Up the Ship (1959), and Wake Me When It's Over (1960). His later film work included The McConnell Story (1955) as Bob Brown, Pillars of the Sky (1956) as Albie, Space Master X-7 (1958) as Private Joe Rattigan, and Gidget (1959) as Hot Shot.

3.4. Later Career and Activities

Following his active acting career, Robert Ellis transitioned into a new role as a producer of educational films. He was engaged in this work at the time of his death.

4. Filmography

  • April Showers (1948) as Buster Tyme
  • The Babe Ruth Story (1948) as George Herman Ruth as a Boy
  • Mexican Hayride (1948) as Mexican Boy (uncredited)
  • The Green Promise (1949) as Buzz Wexford
  • El Paso (1949) as Jack Elkins
  • Easy Living (1949) as Urchin
  • A Kiss for Corliss (1949) as Raymond Pringle
  • Walk Softly, Stranger (1950) as Skating Boy
  • Call Me Mister (1951) as Ack-Ack Ackerman
  • The Guest (1951) film short
  • Retreat, Hell! (1952) as Shorty Devine
  • Peter Pan (1953) as Cubby (voice, uncredited)
  • Niagara (1953) as Young Man (uncredited)
  • Prisoner of War (1954) as Alan H. Rolfe (uncredited)
  • The Long Gray Line (1955) as Cadet Short (uncredited)
  • The McConnell Story (1955) as Bob Brown
  • Tea and Sympathy (1956) as Second Boy (uncredited)
  • Pillars of the Sky (1956) as Albie
  • Space Master X-7 (1958) as Private Joe Rattigan
  • Gidget (1959) as Hot Shot
  • Don't Give Up the Ship (1959) as Sailor (uncredited)
  • Wake Me When It's Over (1960) as Corporal (uncredited)

5. Television Roles

  • The Aldrich Family (1952-1953) as Henry Aldrich
  • Meet Corliss Archer (1951 & 1954-1955) as Dexter Franklin
  • I Love Lucy (1952) as Tommy the Office Boy
  • Fireside Theatre (1951-1952)
  • Big Town (1952)
  • Where's Raymond? (1954)
  • Schlitz Playhouse (1954)
  • The Loretta Young Show (1954) as Tom
  • Public Defender (1954) as Johnny Wagner
  • The Lone Ranger (1955) as Jack 'Kid' Hall
  • Cavalcade of America (1955)
  • The Bob Cummings Show (1956) as Joe Depew
  • Telephone Time (1956)
  • Lux Video Theatre (1956)
  • The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956) as Pat Jordan
  • The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial (1956) as George Barnett
  • The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1957) as Private Crenshaw
  • Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (1957)
  • Navy Log (1957) as Kupper
  • The Sheriff of Cochise (1957) as Jaekel
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957) (Season 2 Episode 17: "My Brother, Richard") as Tommy Kopeck
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1957) (Season 2 Episode 31: "The Night the World Ended") as Reporter
  • Code 3 (1957) as Dewey Cushman / Fred Bacon
  • General Electric Theater (1957)
  • The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1956-1958) as series regular (Ralph Grainger)
  • Flight (1958)
  • 77 Sunset Strip (1958) as Harry Warren
  • Death Valley Days (1959) as Ben (in "Wheelbarrow Johnny")
  • The Real McCoys (1959) as Gas Station Customer
  • The Donna Reed Show (1959) as Young Man (in "The Punishment")
  • M Squad (1960) as Tom Herrick (in "Dead Parrots Don't Talk")
  • Tallahassee 7000 (1961)
  • The Jackie Gleason Special (1973)

6. Death

Robert Ellis died on November 23, 1973, at the age of 40, in Los Angeles. His cause of death was kidney failure.