Tommy Rettig Biography

Tommy Rettig, Actor

Occup.	Actor
From	USA
Born	December 10, 1941 Los Angeles, California, USA
Died	February 15, 1996 Los Angeles, California, USA
Cause	Heart Failure
Aged	54 years

Early Life and Background
Thomas Noel Rettig, typically known as Tommy Rettig, was born upon December 10, 1941, in Queens, New York City, USA. He was the kid of Elias Rettig, a Jewish chemist, and Rosemary Nibali, a Catholic housewife of Italian descent. This multicultural background played a subtle role in forming his worldview and affected his varied profession choices later on in life.

Early Career and Rise to Fame
Tommy Rettig's career in program organization started at a young age. By the age of 6, he had actually already appeared in a number of tv commercials and phase productions. His undeniable charisma and skill quickly captured the attention of Hollywood casting directors. Tommy's huge break came when he was cast alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1952 film "The Dangerous Years". This opportunity opened doors for future roles in movie and television.

Lassie and Stardom
Tommy Rettig's the majority of identifiable function was available in 1954 when he was cast as Jeff Miller on the hit tv program "Lassie". As the young protagonist for the series' first 4 seasons, Rettig became a home name throughout America and acquired worldwide popularity. His portrayal of Jeff Miller, together with the well-known collie Lassie, endeared him to audiences and is fondly remembered as a television icon of the 1950s. During his tenure on "Lassie", Rettig worked with noteworthy actors such as Jan Clayton, who played his on-screen mom, and George Cleveland, who played his grandpa.

Life After Lassie and Challenges
When Rettig left "Lassie" in 1957, he struggled to transition to adult roles. Like lots of child stars, he faced the difficulty of being typecast and quickly discovered himself in fewer acting roles. Despite appearing in numerous tv shows and movies throughout his teenage years, including "The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T" and "River of No Return" (where he worked once again with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum), Rettig's profession subsided.

Individual Struggles and Changes
The difficulties in discovering steady work in Hollywood affected Rettig personally and economically. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, he explore different careers and organizations, including working in computer software advancement. He likewise dealt with individual battles, including issues with drug abuse, which were not uncommon among former child stars. These concerns caused legal difficulties, consisting of a well-documented case including cannabis in 1972.

Shift to a New Career
In the mid-1970s, Rettig made a significant career shift into the blossoming field of computer programming. Welcoming the technical side of the industry, he ended up being a reputable software application designer and expert. Rettig worked thoroughly with the dBASE database system and authored or co-authored numerous books on the topic. His contribution to the shows community was notable, and he became a desired speaker and expert.

Later Years and Legacy
Tommy Rettig kept a low public profile in his later years, focused on his operate in software and delighting in a more suppressed way of life compared to the fame of his early years. Though he mainly stepped away from acting, he sometimes communicated with fans and nostalgia jobs associated with "Lassie.".

Tommy Rettig passed away from a heart attack on February 15, 1996, at his home in Marina del Rey, California. He was 54 years old. In spite of the challenges he dealt with throughout his life, his tradition as a cherished child actor and his contributions to the field of software advancement stay.

Legacy and Tributes
Rettig's influence on tv and computer system shows is still remembered today. He is celebrated for his renowned role on "Lassie" and his later work as a pioneer in the software market. His life story has actually functioned as a cautionary tale about the obstacles faced by child actors, along with an inspiring example of reinvention and resilience. Tommy Rettig's varied career and personal journey continue to motivate fans and specialists in both the home entertainment and tech markets.

Our collection contains 18 quotes who is written / told by Tommy.

Related authors: Marilyn Monroe (Actress), Ed Case (Politician), Jeff Miller (Politician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Darlene Portwood
A: Darlene Portwood was Tommy Rettig's wife.
Q: Tommy Rettig Grave
A: Tommy Rettig is buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Q: Why did Tommy Rettig leave Lassie
A: Tommy Rettig left Lassie because he outgrew the role and wanted to pursue other opportunities.
Q: What did Tommy Rettig die of
A: Tommy Rettig died of a heart attack.
Q: Tommy Rettig wife
A: Tommy Rettig was married to Darlene Portwood.
Q: What is Tommy Rettig net worth?
A: Tommy Rettig's net worth is not well-documented, but he faced financial difficulties later in life.
Q: How old was Tommy Rettig?
A: He became 54 years old

Filmography:

1950 The Jackpot (Comedy)
1950 For Heaven's Sake (Comedy, Fantasy)
1950 Two Weeks with Love (Comedy, Music, Romance)
1951 The Strip (Crime, Drama)
1951 Week-End with Father (Romance, Comedy)
1951 Elopement (Comedy)
1952 Paula (Drama)
1953 The Lady Wants Mink (Comedy)
1953 The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. (Family, Fantasy, Music, Romance)
1954 River of No Return (Adventure, Western)
1954 The Raid (War, Western)
1955 At Gunpoint (Western)
1956 The Last Wagon (Western)
1994 The Story of Lassie (Documentary, Family)

Source / external links:

18 Famous quotes by Tommy Rettig

"I was still thought of as a kid actor even though I was in my mid twenties"

"I had always turned it down-to me, smoking pot was absolutely the worst thing in the world. I thought of it as an addiction, and all my friends who smoked it, I felt they really needed help"

"My mom was a Democrat and I was scared to death that she was gonna blow it. First I was going to hell with Monroe, and now to Republican hell with Nixon"

"I wanted to go to regular high school - it looked like a lot of fun"

"Then l learned to play guitar and l started writing songs and my mother formed for me a publishing business, so we started publishing and managing artists"

"Acid wasn't getting a whole lot of bad press at the time, and as I saw the whole bad-press thing happen, I became aware that the government had done a whole lie on all the other benign drugs as well. It became clear to me that the government wanted no real drug education"

"The kids put you on a pedestal. I didn't like it"

"I was totally devastated for four years in the mid '60s when l tried to buck the tide"

"Yes, there was nothing else to do to get you high. I mean, there was, but white kids didn't hear about it"

"There's a big difference between somebody who does acid on weekends and somebody who takes downers every day"

"A lot of my friends were fooling around with drugs then"

"Yeah, dog was this man's best friend, for sure"

"Marijuana. Boy, I thought that was just terrible. How could this great man do this to his life?"

"It was the worst period of my life. I had all this gigantic acceptance as a kid, and all of a sudden there was this monumental rejection"

"Well, I went to school with Jan and Dean, Ryan O'Neal, some of the Beach Boys we all use to party together"

"So, in the last year, the whole cast sued for release from our contracts"

"Once in a while there was some TV offer and I'd take it"

"I wanted to have a normal childhood. Normal relationships"