Chet Allen was an American actor who is best known for Amahl and the Night Visitors, Meet Me at the Fair, and Bonino. He was born on May 6, 1939, in Chillicothe, Ohio, and died on June 17, 1984, in Columbus, Ohio.
Personal and Family Life
Chet Allen was married to Marilyn Rose Lantz from August 28, 1965, until their divorce on May 10, 1976. They had one child together. During his time at the Columbus Boychoir School, he shared a room with future musician Van Dyke Parks, and they both appeared on the show Bonino in 1953.
Career Struggles
Allen is most remembered for his role as the first Amahl in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors in 1951. He was also part of the well-known Columbus Boychoir. Despite a promising start, after his voice changed, he struggled to find stable work in acting and faced challenges, including time spent in psychiatric hospitals. His life had become filled with disappointments, and when Menotti visited him shortly before his death, he saw a deeply unhappy young man.
Death and Legacy
Chet Allen tragically took his own life in 1984 at the age of 44 by overdosing on prescription antidepressants. His passing highlighted the struggles many child stars face after their early fame, and it remains a poignant reminder of the pressures of the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Amahl and the Night Visitors | 1951-12-24 | Amahl |
| Meet Me at the Fair | 1953-01-01 | Tad Bayliss |
| Bonino | 1953-09-12 | Jerry Bonino |