William Allen Booth (November 7, 1949 – December 31, 2006)[1] was an American child actor and lawyer best known for his role as Dennis Mitchell's best friend Tommy Anderson on the CBS sitcom Dennis the Menace, based on the Hank Ketcham comic strip of the same name. He made guest appearances on The Twilight Zone, My Three Sons, The Donna Reed Show, Lawman,[2] The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, and The Andy Griffith Show. He also provided the voice for Wentworth in the 1962 Merrie Melodies episode Honey's Money.
Billy Booth | |
|---|---|
 Billy Booth in 1964 | |
| Born | William Allen Booth November 7, 1949 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 31, 2006 (aged 57) |
| Occupation(s) | Child actor, lawyer |
| Years active | 1957–1967 |
Biography edit
Booth graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in 1967, from the University of Southern California in 1971, and from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1974. He became a practicing lawyer and moved to Los Osos, California in 1977. He taught business and real estate law at both Cuesta College and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, both located in San Luis Obispo County, California.[3][4] He divorced his wife Kathern. He practiced law in Morro Bay, California.[citation needed]
Death edit
Booth died on December 31, 2006[5][6] of liver complications at the age of 57.
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Snow Queen | Himself - English Prologue | Film debut |
| 1960 | Hell Bent for Leather | Child | Uncredited |
| The Facts of Life | Little Gray Squirrel | Uncredited | |
| 1962 | Honey's Money | Wentworth | Voice |
| 1966 | Follow Me, Boys! | Leo | Final film |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Goodyear Theatre | George | Episode: A Light in the Fruit Closet |
| 1959-1963 | Dennis the Menace | Tommy Anderson | |
| 1960 | Law of the Plainsman | Quinn Wesley | Episode: The Rawhiders |
| The Twilight Zone | Short Boy | Episode: A Stop at Willoughby | |
| The Slowest Gun in the West | The Son | TV movie | |
| The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis | Boy | Episode: A Taste for Lobster | |
| 1960-1961 | Assignment: Underwater | Joey | 2 episodes |
| 1961 | Lawman | Tad McCallan | Episode: The Prodigal Mother |
| 1962 | The Detectives | Justin | Episode: Pandora's Box |
| 1963-1967 | My Three Sons | Richard/Charley/Jack | 3 episodes |
| 1964 | The Donna Reed Show | Petey | Episode: Teamwork |
| Grindl | Billy | Episode: Aunt Grindl | |
| The Andy Griffith Show | Roger | Episode: The Family Visit | |
| The Farmer's Daughter | Andy | Episode: Speak for Yourself John Katy |
References edit
- ^ Social Security Death Interactive Search
- ^ Episode was "The Prodigal Mother" with Catherine McLeod, December 17, 1961, Dish Network Westerns Channel
- ^ "William "Billy" Allen Booth". www.cvfalconsalumni.com.
- ^ William Allen Booth Obituary
- ^ "The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club: eBullet Vol7 Issue 5 Sept 2007". www.tagsrwc.com.
- ^ Billy Booth of Dennis The Menace, Scarlet Street Forums
Further reading edit
- Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, p. 24.
External links edit
- Billy Booth at IMDb
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