Harry Watson (actor)

Harry Ruilton Watson (August 31, 1921 – June 8, 2001) was an American child actor, a U.S. Coast Guard combat photographer in World War II, and a pioneer in television journalism.

Harry Watson
Born(1921-08-31)August 31, 1921
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJune 8, 2001(2001-06-08) (aged 79)
Tujunga, California, U.S.
OccupationChild actor
Years active1928–1940
SpousePeggy Watson

Early life

Watson was a member of the Watson Family, famous in the early days of Hollywood as being a family of child actors. Brother to Coy Watson Jr., Delmar, Bobs, Garry, Billy, Vivian, Gloria and Louise. The family lived by Echo Park area of Los Angeles and Harry attended Belmont High School. His high school yearbook the Campanile talked about his photography: "His magnificent sport action shots are the embodiment of perfection. His coach? Big brother Coy, of course."[1]

Career

Watson performed supporting roles in many early Hollywood movies including, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Penrod and Sam, A Damsel in Distress as little "Albert", as well as many others.

During WWII, his career in Hollywood was interrupted, and he served on a tour of the Pacific Theater as a combat photographer.

After the war, he became a pioneer in television journalism, contributing to bringing same-day coverage to the KTTV evening news.

The Watson family were honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce by placing the Watson family star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 6674 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California.[2]

Partial filmography

See also

References
  1. Campanile 1938, Belmont High School, 1938
  2. Pool, Bob. "Star Shines Brightly for Hollywood's First Family; Movies: The Watson clan of former child actors finally receives recognition for its pioneering contribution to films Archived 2009-07-15 at the Wayback Machine." The Los Angeles Times. April 23, 1999. Metro Part B Metro Desk Page 1.

Bibliography
  • John Holmstrom, The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995, Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, p. 105-106.
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