Tom Pittman was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “Tombstone Territory,” “High School Big Shot,” and “Apache Territory.” Born as Jerry Lee Alten on March 16, 1932, in Phoenix, Arizona, he gained recognition for his performances before his untimely death.
Personal and Family Life
Tom Pittman was the son of Frank Alten. He had a passion for acting and was influenced by famous actors of his time, especially idolizing James Dean. Like Dean, he enjoyed driving fast cars, which ultimately led to his tragic end.
Death and Legacy
Tom Pittman died on October 31, 1958, in a car accident after leaving a Halloween party. His Porsche Spyder crashed in Benedict Canyon, and his body was discovered nearly three weeks later, having been wedged in the wreckage. His premature passing left a significant mark on his fans and the film industry, where he was seen as a promising talent.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| No Time to Be Young | 1957-08-01 | Stu Bradley |
| Verboten! | 1959-03-25 | Bruno Eckart |
| The Proud Rebel | 1958-07-01 | Tom Burleigh |
| Apache Territory | 1958-09-01 | Lonnie Foreman (as Thomas Pittman) |
| High School Big Shot | 1959-10-16 | Marvin ‘Marv’ Grant |
| The Young Stranger | 1957-02-01 | Lynn Spears |
| Black Patch | 1957-09-15 | Flytrap |
| Bernardine | 1957-07-24 | George Olsen |
| The Way to the Gold | 1957-05-10 | Sid Songster Jr. |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Jimmy McQueen |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Joe |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Budge Grilk |