Acting career David Holt (American actor)

holt in action in 1936 film straight shoulder ralph bellamy.

at age seven, in 1934, holt got acting break in movie belong me, melodrama in character s parents dies. child star, , paramount pictures put him under long-term contract , promoted him male version of shirley temple. on next 6 years, holt made 20 films, did not come close superstar status set friend, shirley temple.

holt cast in title role in david copperfield, alongside w. c. fields character, wilkins micawber. however, producer david o. selznick developed misgivings having american youngster portray quintessentially british boy. when english child actor freddie bartholomew became available couple of weeks shooting, holt let go. holt had prominent role in 1936 movie straight shoulder (also known johnny gets gun) alongside noted actor ralph bellamy. holt developed reputation troublemaker, , found himself settling supporting roles in adventures of tom sawyer (1939), beau geste (1939), , courage of lassie (1946) elizabeth taylor s older brother.

he may best remembered older billy in 1942 critically , publicly acclaimed film, the pride of yankees, 14-year old teenager attends lou gehrig day and shows lou gehrig that can walk, implying gehrig s promised world series home runs many years ago gave him determination overcome childhood illness. in poignant scene, character billy s eyes tears terminally ill ballplayer walks away. author richard sandomir writes in book movie s making holt cried when interviewed part mgm studio mogul samuel goldwyn, explaining had suffered polio.

in 1944 film henry aldrich, boy scout, holt played unscrupulous senior patrol leader, irwin barrett. character sabotages competing troop in wilderness orienteering competition, costing henry , scout lives. dramatic rescue scene unfolds, repentant irwin confesses misdeed , helps save henry , other boy.

after outgrowing teenage roles, holt later starred in 1949 b-movie melodrama drug addiction, shoulda said no ! . following year, had prominent role in never die , 1950 episode of lone ranger hit television series, playing kidnapped son of prison warden.