Phillip Alford (born September 11, 1948) is an American former actor best known for his roles as Jem Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, and Boy Anderson in Shenandoah (1965). Since retiring from acting, he has become a businessman.
Phillip Alford | |
|---|---|
 Alford in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) | |
| Born | September 11, 1948 Gadsden, Alabama, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, businessman |
| Years active | 1962–1972 |
| Spouse | Carol Sue Moore (divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Career
editAlford appeared in three productions with Birmingham's Town and Gown Civic Theatre, whose director called up Alford's mother to see if her son was interested in auditioning for the part of Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird.[1] Initially Alford had refused, but agreed to audition under the condition that he would miss half a day of school.[1] As one of the three finalists, he was called to New York City for a screen test several weeks later[1] and won the role of Jem Finch.
During the filming, his parents drove to Hollywood to be with him, and his sister became the stand-in actress for Mary Badham, who played Jem's sister, Scout, in the film. He and Badham were constantly bickering and at odds with each other during most of the shoot; at one time after their worst argument, he had planned mischief against her.[1]
Alford's other acting credits include: Bristle Face (1964) (TV); the role of "Boy" in Shenandoah (1965); The Intruders (1970) (TV); and Fair Play (1972) (TV).
Personal life
editSince retiring from acting, Alford now works as a businessman in Grenada, Mississippi and stays out of the limelight. He followed his father into the construction business.[2] Alford is divorced and has two children.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | To Kill a Mockingbird | Jem Finch | Film debut |
| 1963 | The Lloyd Bridges Show | Boford Tyree | 1 episode, The Tyrees of Capitol Hill |
| 1964 | The Magical World of Disney | Jace Landers | 2 episodes, Bristle Face |
| 1965 | Shenandoah | Boy Anderson | |
| 1969 | CBS Playhouse | Hugh | 1 episode Appalachian Autumn |
| 1970 | The Virginian | Joe Thurman | 1 episode, A Time of Terror |
| The Intruders | Harold Gilman | TV movie filmed in 1967 | |
| 1972 | Fair Play | Teddy | TV movie, Final film |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Fearful Symmetry: The Making of To Kill a Mockingbird (DVD). Universal Studios. 1998.
- ^ Hoffman, Barbara (July 14, 2015). "Rivalry and racism: What really happened behind the scenes of 'Mockingbird". New York Post. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
Further reading
edit- Goldrup, Tom and Jim (2002). Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Film and Television. McFarland & Co. pp. 13–19. ISBN 1476613702.
- Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 276.
- Dye, David (1988). Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., p. 4.
External links
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