Andre Brandon deWilde (April 9, 1942 â€" July 6, 1972) was an American
theater, film, and television actor. Born into a theatrical family in
Brooklyn, he debuted on Broadway at the age of seven and became a
national phenomenon by the time he completed his 492 performances for
The Member of the Wedding. He won a Donaldson Award for his
performance, becoming the youngest actor to win one and starred in the
subsequent film adaptation.DeWilde is best known for his performance
as Joey Starrett in the film Shane (1953) for which he was nominated
for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in
his own sitcom Jamie on ABC and became a household name making
numerous radio and TV appearances before being featured on the cover
of Life magazine on March 10, 1952, for his second Broadway outing,
Mrs. McThing.He continued acting in stage, film and television roles
into adulthood before his death at age 30 in a car crash in Colorado
on July 6, 1972.Andre Brandon deWilde was the son of Frederic A.
"Fritz" deWilde and Eugenia (née Wilson) deWilde. Fritz deWilde was
the only son of Dutch immigrants who changed their surname from
Neitzel-de Wilde to "deWilde" when they emigrated to the United
States. He was a descendant of the Dutch merchant and seigneur Andries
de Wilde, who was married to Cornelia Henrica Neitzel. Fritz deWilde
became an actor and Broadway production stage manager. Eugenia was a
part-time stage actress.
theater, film, and television actor. Born into a theatrical family in
Brooklyn, he debuted on Broadway at the age of seven and became a
national phenomenon by the time he completed his 492 performances for
The Member of the Wedding. He won a Donaldson Award for his
performance, becoming the youngest actor to win one and starred in the
subsequent film adaptation.DeWilde is best known for his performance
as Joey Starrett in the film Shane (1953) for which he was nominated
for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in
his own sitcom Jamie on ABC and became a household name making
numerous radio and TV appearances before being featured on the cover
of Life magazine on March 10, 1952, for his second Broadway outing,
Mrs. McThing.He continued acting in stage, film and television roles
into adulthood before his death at age 30 in a car crash in Colorado
on July 6, 1972.Andre Brandon deWilde was the son of Frederic A.
"Fritz" deWilde and Eugenia (née Wilson) deWilde. Fritz deWilde was
the only son of Dutch immigrants who changed their surname from
Neitzel-de Wilde to "deWilde" when they emigrated to the United
States. He was a descendant of the Dutch merchant and seigneur Andries
de Wilde, who was married to Cornelia Henrica Neitzel. Fritz deWilde
became an actor and Broadway production stage manager. Eugenia was a
part-time stage actress.
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