Freddie Bartholomew
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
"At times he was quite effective, although some critics found Bartholomew's screen work shrill, stiff, and verging on the emetic. But any chance of maturing as an actor was thwarted by a combination of his pretty face, his English background, and the whole "Fauntleroy" business which so sissified his screen image that he was turned down as a possible costar with Mickey Rooney in "Boys Town" (1938). Studio executives considered him too much the gentleman to be believable as a tough orphan. However, such a role would have been the change of pace that Bartholomew needed to catapult him into a credible teenage performer." --James Robert Parish and Ronald L. Bowers ("The MGM Stock Company", Arlington House, 1973)
"Little Lord Fauntleroy" typed Bartholomew as a dandy and made little boys across the country detest him when their mothers insisted they emulate him." --James Robert Parish and Ronald L. Bowers ("The MGM Stock Company", Arlington House, 1973)
Biography
Curly-haired Hollywood child star whose earnest presence, refined British diction and angelic looks established him as a boxoffice favorite in the 1930s and 40s. After a few minor roles in British films, the ten-year-old was signed by MGM to star as Dickens's hero in David O. Selznick's production of "David Copperfield" (1935). He went on to play Greta Garbo's son in "Anna Karenina" (1935) and followed up with his two most popular roles: as the American boy who learns he is the heir to a dukedom in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" (1936) and as a pampered rich brat who is rescued and educated by rough fishermen in Rudyard Kipling's adventure yarn, "Captains Courageous" (1937).
With a salary eclipsed only by that of child superstar Shirley Temple, Bartholomew was earning $2,500 a week by the late 30s, though his career began to wane after numerous court battles between his guardian-aunt and his parents over his earnings. After service in WWII he made a stab at a career in vaudeville and nightclubs before turning to TV, where he hosted a daytime program in the 1950s and then became associate director of a New York TV station. In the mid-1950s he again switched careers, this time joining New York's Benton and Bowles agency as an advertising executive.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Short)
Life Events
1930
Film debut in "Toyland" shorts series (Great Britain)
1930
Film acting debut in "Fascination" (Great Britain)
1934
David O. Selznick, Louis B. Mayer's son-in-law, sent director George Cukor to England to cast title role of "David Copperfield" (Mayer wanted Jackie Cooper to star), Bartholomew's teacher Italia Conti recommended Bartholomew to Cukor; traveled with aunt to Hollywood; signed seven-year contract with MGM starting at $175 a week, with increases to $500 a week
1935
Hollywood debut in title role of "David Copperfield"
1935
Salary upped to $1000 after boxoffice success in Selnick's "Anna Karenina"
1937
Aunt waged a court battle to wrest Bartholomew from MGM contract
1945
Formed a little theater group on the West Coast and toured with it as an actor-director
1949
TV debut in "Outward Bound"
1951
Made final film appearance in "St. Benny the Dip"
1954
Joined Benton & Bowles advertising agency in NYC; rose to position of vice president; handled the company's involvement in "The Andy Griffith Show" and other show accounts
1991
Made final onscreen appearance, an interview for TNT's six-hour history of MGM
Photo Collections
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
"At times he was quite effective, although some critics found Bartholomew's screen work shrill, stiff, and verging on the emetic. But any chance of maturing as an actor was thwarted by a combination of his pretty face, his English background, and the whole "Fauntleroy" business which so sissified his screen image that he was turned down as a possible costar with Mickey Rooney in "Boys Town" (1938). Studio executives considered him too much the gentleman to be believable as a tough orphan. However, such a role would have been the change of pace that Bartholomew needed to catapult him into a credible teenage performer." --James Robert Parish and Ronald L. Bowers ("The MGM Stock Company", Arlington House, 1973)
"Little Lord Fauntleroy" typed Bartholomew as a dandy and made little boys across the country detest him when their mothers insisted they emulate him." --James Robert Parish and Ronald L. Bowers ("The MGM Stock Company", Arlington House, 1973)
Various sources say that Bartholomew was born Frederick Llewellyn and that he borrowed his aunt Millicent (or Mylicent) Bartholomew's surname.
