Scotty Beckett was an American actor who is best known for Battleground, My Favorite Wife, and Kings Row. He was one of the charming child stars of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Born Scott Hastings Beckett on October 4, 1929, in Oakland, California, he moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was just three. He began singing to entertain his ailing father, which led to a casting director noticing his talent. Scotty had three marriages during his life and had one son, Scott H. Beckett Jr.
Career Highlights
Scotty had a successful career as a child actor, appearing in numerous films. He featured prominently in the Our Gang series and worked with many top stars including Cary Grant and Greta Garbo. His talent was evident from a young age, and he continued to act in plays and on Broadway as a teenager.
Death and Legacy
Scotty Beckett’s life ended tragically on May 10, 1968, from an overdose of barbiturates after a series of personal struggles with addiction and mental health issues. He left a legacy of memorable performances but also a cautionary tale about the challenges faced by child stars in Hollywood. Leonard Maltin remarked on the sadness of his end, noting the contrast to his early charm and talent.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Battleground | 1949-11-09 | William J. Hooper |
| Blind Alley | 1939-05-11 | Davy Shelby |
| Circumstantial Evidence | 1945-04-20 | Freddy Hanlon |
| Marie Antoinette | 1938-08-26 | The Dauphin |
| The Charge of the Light Brigade | 1936-10-20 | Prema Singh |
| Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves | 1944-01-14 | Young Ali Baba |
| My Favorite Wife | 1940-05-17 | Tim Arden |
| Hot News | 1953-10-11 | Bill Burton |
| Heaven Can Wait | 1943-08-05 | Henry Van Cleve – Age 9 (uncredited) |
| Three for Jamie Dawn | 1956-07-08 | Gordon Peters |