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Freddie BartholomewIrish child actor
Date of Birth: 28.03.1924
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Freddie Bartholomew
Freddie Bartholomew, born as Frederick Llewellyn March, was an Irish child actor who gained popularity in the 1930s for his roles in Hollywood movies. He was born on March 28, 1924, in Dublin, Ireland. As an infant, his parents abandoned him and he was brought to London by his aunt, from whom he took his surname.
A Star is Born
During a visit to the United States, Bartholomew caught the attention of film producer David O. Selznick, who was preparing to film the adventure melodrama "David Copperfield." Selznick had already chosen an American boy for the role of young Copperfield, but after meeting Bartholomew, he realized that the film would benefit from casting a British boy. After the release of the film, Bartholomew instantly became a star, receiving numerous invitations to prestigious movies alongside the biggest stars of that time.
Success and Decline
Bartholomew's successful films of the 1930s included the melodrama "Anna Karenina" (1935) with Greta Garbo and Fredric March, and the adventure film "Professional Soldier" (1935) with Gloria Stuart. The family drama "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1936) with Dolores Costello and the war melodrama "Lloyd's of London" (1937) with Madeleine Carroll and Tyrone Power were also highly popular. In the adventure drama "Captains Courageous" (1937) with Spencer Tracy, Bartholomew once again played the lead role, portraying the spoiled Harvey, the son of a millionaire who falls overboard in the middle of the Atlantic. Bartholomew became so famous that his "caring" parents suddenly remembered him and tried to gain custody. After lengthy legal battles, which took a considerable portion of his wealth, he managed to remain independent from his parents.
Later Life and Legacy
Bartholomew continued to act in movies until the 1940s, but his popularity noticeably declined as he grew into a teenager and was no longer the adorable angel that Hollywood favored. In the early 1950s, he decided to quit acting and shifted his career to the advertising business. However, it is rumored that he had a bitter experience and lost his fortune. In the 1980s, he worked as a producer for the soap opera "Search For Tomorrow." Shortly before his death, Bartholomew gave an interview for the television documentary film "When the Lion Roars" (1992), which focused on MGM. He passed away on January 23, 1992, in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 67, due to heart failure and emphysema. Bartholomew was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry. He is also caricatured in the short animated film "The Major Lied 'Til Dawn" by Warner Bros.
