Teddy Infuhr (November 9, 1936 – May 12, 2007), born Theodore Edward Infuhr, was an American

child actor The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...

Biography

Missouri-born child actor Teddy Infuhr, youngest of four, moved with his family to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

when he was three and was initially prodded into acting by his mother. A young student at the Rainbow Studios, he was spotted by a talent agent and booked the very first film he went out on with ''The Tuttles of Tahiti'' (1942) at the age of five. Throughout the rest of the 1940s he would find steady roles as mean-spirited tykes, trouble-makers or bullying types, never settling down to one specific studio. A good portion of his work was noticeable yet he also appeared unbilled much of the time. Unable to move into the major child star leagues, he was cast in some of the biggest pictures

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

had to offer including '' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'', '' Spellbound'' and ''

The Best Years of Our Lives ''The Best Years of Our Lives'' (also known as ''Glory for Me'' and ''Home Again'') is a 1946 American epic drama film directed by William Wyler, and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo and Harold Russe ...

''. In the latter, Infuhr played a drugstore brat chided by

Dana Andrews Carver Dana Andrews (January 1, 1909 – December 17, 1992) was an American film actor who became a major star in what is now known as film noir. A leading man during the 1940s, he continued acting in less prestigious roles and character parts ...

' character, Fred Derry. One of his more oddball roles included the role of Gale Sondergaard's fly-catching nephew in ''

The Spider Woman ''The Spider Woman'' (alternatively titled ''Sherlock Holmes and the Spider Woman'' and ''Spider Woman'') is a 1943 mystery film starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, the seventh of fourteen such films the ...

''. Ted found a recurring role in the "Rusty" canine adventure series, beginning with ''The Return of Rusty'' and finishing with ''Rusty's Birthday''. He was also one of the bucolic brood in the Ma and Pa Kettle series that was introduced with the classic ''

The Egg and I ''The Egg and I'', first published in 1945, is a humorous memoir by American author Betty MacDonald about her adventures and travels as a young wife on a chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in the US state of Washington. The book is based on t ...

''. He appeared more times in that series than any other of the regular child stars. After the war, he had larger parts in '' The Boy with Green Hair'', '' Fighting Fools'', ''West of El Dorado'' and '' Blondie's Hero'' and appeared with

Gene Autry Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, rodeo performer, and baseball owner who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning s ...

a few times.

Personal life

Teddy was one of the few child actors that

Natalie Wood Natalie Wood ( Zacharenko; July 20, 1938 – November 29, 1981) was an American actress who began her career in film as a child and successfully transitioned to young adult roles. Wood started acting at age four and was given a co-starring r ...

's mother allowed her to socialize with on the set. For his role in '' The North Star'', Teddy had to shave his head bald. The embarrassed 7-year-old returned to school wearing a hat and refused to remove it to the dismay of his teachers until they found out the reason. Unfortunately, he did not survive the transition from awkward adolescent to adult, ending his career unbilled as a troubled teen in '' Blackboard Jungle''. Luckily, Teddy played it smart, and found a vocation, graduating from chiropractic school in 1958. Long married to wife Rita, with whom he had two sons, he has had no qualms or regrets about leaving show business. Until his death in Thousand Oaks on May 12, 2007, he attended nostalgia conventions.

Selected filmography

*'' The Tuttles of Tahiti'' (1942) - Ala *'' Pardon My Sarong'' (1942) - Nemo (uncredited) *''

The Amazing Mrs. Holliday ''The Amazing Mrs. Holliday'' is a 1943 American comedy drama film produced and directed by Bruce Manning and starring Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien, and Barry Fitzgerald. Based on a story by Sonya Levien, the film is about a young idealistic mis ...

'' (1943) - Orphan (Teddy) *'' Hers to Hold'' (1943) - Joey (uncredited) *''

The Iron Major ''The Iron Major'' is a 1943 American biographical film about the famed college football coach and World War I hero, Frank Cavanaugh. Directed by Ray Enright, the screenplay was written by Aben Kandel and Warren Duff, based on Florence E. Cav ...

'' (1943) - Davie as Boy (uncredited) *''

Gildersleeve on Broadway ''Gildersleeve on Broadway'' is a 1943 American film starring Harold Peary as his radio character The Great Gildersleeve. It is the third of four Gildersleeve features, others were ''The Great Gildersleeve'' (1942), ''Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' (19 ...

'' (1943) - Stanley (uncredited) *'' The North Star'' (1943) - Bald Schoolboy (uncredited) *''

'' (1943) - Larry (uncredited) *'' She's for Me'' (1943) - Child *'' Madame Curie'' (1943) - Son (uncredited) *'' Youth Runs Wild'' (1944) - Max (uncredited) *'' San Diego, I Love You'' (1944) - Brat (uncredited) *''

Heavenly Days ''Heavenly Days'' is a 1944 film starring Fibber McGee and Molly. It was the third and final feature film to feature the popular radio characters; unlike the two previous entries, none of the radio show's supporting cast members appeared in this f ...

'' (1944) - Czech Boy (uncredited) *'' The Unwritten Code'' (1944) - Dutchy Schultz *'' Bowery to Broadway'' (1944) - Small Boy (uncredited) *'' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'' (1945) - Boy in Soda Fountain (uncredited) *'' The Clock'' (1945) - Boy in Park with Sailboat (uncredited) *'' That's the Spirit'' (1945) - Pageboy (uncredited) *'' Dangerous Partners'' (1945) - Boy in Budlow's Waiting Room (uncredited) *'' Mama Loves Papa'' (1945) - Boy (uncredited) *''

That Night with You ''That Night With You'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Susanna Foster, Franchot Tone and Louise Allbritton. Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, it featured Buster Keaton in a supporting ro ...

'' (1945) - Bingo *'' Spellbound'' (1945) - John Ballantine's Brother (uncredited) *'' Because of Him'' (1946) - Boy (uncredited) *'' Gay Blades'' (1946) - Small Boy (uncredited) *'' Roaring Rangers'' (1946) - Boy with Money (uncredited) *'' Sentimental Journey'' (1946) - Boy on Bus (uncredited) *''

Song of Arizona ''Song of Arizona'' is a 1946 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Frank McDonald (director), Frank McDonald and starring Roy Rogers, Dale Evans and George "Gabby" Hayes. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Plot ...

'' (1946) - Half-a-Chance Ranch Boy (uncredited) *'' The Virginian'' (1946) - Christopher (uncredited) *'' The Return of Rusty'' (1946) - Herbie *'' Till the End of Time'' (1946) - Freddy Stewart (uncredited) *'' Faithful in My Fashion'' (1946) - Newsboy (scenes deleted) *'' Little Miss Big'' (1946) - Boy (uncredited) *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1946) - Johnny, the Grunt (uncredited) *'' Sister Kenny'' (1946) - Boy (scenes deleted) *'' The Strange Woman'' (1946) - Boy on Bridge (uncredited) *'' Affairs of Geraldine'' (1946) - Small Boy (uncredited) *''

'' (1946) - Dexter - Brat in Drugstore (uncredited) *''

My Brother Talks to Horses ''My Brother Talks to Horses'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Fred Zinnemann, starring Jackie "Butch" Jenkins, Peter Lawford, and Beverly Tyler. Plot Living with his family in Baltimore, 9-year-old Lewie Penrose (Butch Jenkins) claim ...

'' (1947) - Boy at School (uncredited) *''

'' (1947) - Albert Kettle (uncredited) *'' For the Love of Rusty'' (1947) - Tommy Worden (uncredited) *'' Desperate'' (1947) - Richard (uncredited) *'' The Son of Rusty'' (1947) - Squeaky Foley (uncredited) *''

Driftwood __NOTOC__ Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea, lake, or river by the action of winds, tides or waves. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and fo ...

'' (1947) - Lester Snyder *'' Her Husband's Affairs'' (1947) - Boy (uncredited) *''

The Bishop's Wife ''The Bishop's Wife'' (also known as ''Cary and the Bishop's Wife'') is a 1947 American romantic comedy film directed by Henry Koster and starring Cary Grant, Loretta Young, and David Niven. The plot is about an angel who helps a bishop with his ...

'' (1947) - Attack Captain *'' Campus Honeymoon'' (1948) - Junior Ormsbee *'' Phantom Valley'' (1948) - Smart Kid (uncredited) *'' The Bride Goes Wild'' (1948) - Scout (uncredited) *'' My Dog Rusty'' (1948) - Squeaky Foley (uncredited) *'' They Live by Night'' (1948) - Alvin *''

Rusty Leads the Way ''Rusty Leads the Way'' is a 1948 American drama film directed by Will Jason and starring Ted Donaldson, Sharyn Moffett and John Litel. It is part of the Rusty film series.Blottner p.286 Plot Cast * Ted Donaldson as Danny Mitchell * Sh ...

'' (1948) - Squeaky (uncredited) *'' The Return of October'' (1948) - Racetrack Brat (uncredited) *'' The Boy with Green Hair'' (1948) - Timmy *'' The Sun Comes Up'' (1949) - Junebug an Orphan (uncredited) *'' Fighting Fools'' (1949) - Boomer Higgins *'' Ma and Pa Kettle'' (1949) - Benjamin Kettle (uncredited) *'' Adventure in Baltimore'' (1949) - Boy (uncredited) *'' West of El Dorado'' (1949) - Larry Dallas *'' Mr. Soft Touch'' (1949) - Jackie - Betting Boy (uncredited) *'' Brimstone'' (1949) - Young Boy (uncredited) *''

Madame Bovary ''Madame Bovary'' (; ), originally published as ''Madame Bovary: Provincial Manners'' ( ), is a novel by French writer Gustave Flaubert, published in 1856. The eponymous character lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and em ...

'' (1949) - Nosey Boy at Rouault's Home (uncredited) *'' Rusty's Birthday'' (1949) - Squeaky Foley (uncredited) *'' And Baby Makes Three'' (1949) - Danny Stacy (uncredited) *'' The Traveling Saleswoman'' (1950) - Homer Owen (uncredited) *'' Blondie's Hero'' (1950) - Danny Gateson *'' The Good Humor Man'' (1950) - Kid Football Player (uncredited) *''

Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town ''Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Charles Lamont. It is the second installment of Universal-International's ''Ma and Pa Kettle'' series starring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride. Plot At the conclusion of ...

'' (1950) - Benjamin Kettle (uncredited) *'' The Underworld Story'' (1950) - Johnny (uncredited) *''

Summer Stock In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...

'' (1950) - A Boy (uncredited) *''

The Killer That Stalked New York ''The Killer That Stalked New York'' (also known as ''Frightened City'') is a 1950 American film noir directed by Earl McEvoy and starring Evelyn Keyes, Charles Korvin and William Bishop. The film, shot on location and in a semi-documentary sty ...

'' (1950) - Boy Outside Willie's Place (uncredited) *'' California Passage'' (1950) - Young Mailer Boy (uncredited) *''

Grounds for Marriage ''Grounds for Marriage'' is a 1951 American romantic comedy film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Written and produced by Samuel Marx, the film stars Van Johnson and Kathryn Grayson. Plot Ina Massine (Kathryn Grayson) is an opera diva who divorced ...

'' (1951) - Jimmy (uncredited) *'' Gene Autry and the Mounties'' (1951) - Boy (uncredited) *'' Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm'' (1951) - Benjamin Kettle (uncredited) *''

David and Bathsheba David and Bathsheba may refer to: * David and Bathsheba, husband and wife in Hebrew Bible, parents of Solomon *''David and Bethsabe ''The Love of King David and Fair Bethsabe'' is a play by George Peele, based on the biblical story of David, B ...

'' (1951) - Jonathan as a Boy (uncredited) *'' The Hills of Utah'' (1951) - Boy Leading Gene into Trap (uncredited) *'' The Family Secret'' (1951) - Marvin (uncredited) *''

The Gene Autry Show ''The Gene Autry Show'' is an American western/ cowboy television series which aired for 91 episodes on CBS from July 23, 1950 until August 7, 1956, originally sponsored by Wrigley's Doublemint chewing gum. Overview Series star Gene Autry had ...

'' (1951, TV Series) - Bobby Miller *'' Valley of Fire'' (1951) - Virgil *'' Too Young to Kiss'' (1951) - Jeffrey (uncredited) *'' Talk About a Stranger'' (1952) - Gregory, Boy in San Sala (uncredited) *''

Scaramouche Scaramouche () or Scaramouch (; from Italian Scaramuccia , literally "little skirmisher") is a stock clown character of the 16th-century commedia dell'arte (comic theatrical arts of Italian literature). The role combined characteristics of the ...

'' (1952) - Boy (uncredited) *'' Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair'' (1952) - Benjamin Kettle (uncredited) *'' The Cisco Kid'' (1952, TV Series) - Bobby Torrance / Tommy Loring *'' The Juggler'' (1953) - School Boy (uncredited) *'' Mister Scoutmaster'' (1953) - Lew Blodger (uncredited) *''

The Abbott and Costello Show ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

'' (1953, TV Series) - Fresh Kid *''

Men of the Fighting Lady ''Men of the Fighting Lady'' is a 1954 American war drama film directed by Andrew Marton and starring Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Louis Calhern and Keenan Wynn. The screenplay was written by U.S. Navy Commander Harry A. Burns, who had written a ...

'' (1954) - Andy Szymanski Jr. (uncredited) *'' Blackboard Jungle'' (1955) - Needles - a Teenager (uncredited)

Bibliography

* * Holmstrom, John (1996). ''The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995''. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 198-199.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Infuhr, Teddy 1936 births American male child actors Male actors from Missouri American chiropractors People from Thousand Oaks, California 2007 deaths American male film actors 20th-century American male actors