Jimmy Hawkins (born November 13, 1941) is an American former actor, producer and writer. He is best-known for his TV roles in shows like Annie Oakley, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Leave It to Beaver, Petticoat Junction, and The Donna Reed Show; and as Tommy Bailey, son of George Bailey in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life.
Contents
Early life
Born on November 13, 1941 in Los Angeles, California, Hawkins was the middle child of three born to Elizabeth K., née Unholz, and Thomas J. Hawkins, and the grandson of German-born prizefighter and onetime Keystone Cop, Rudy Unholz. Each of Hawkins' siblings—Thomas Jr., the eldest, and Susan, the youngest—was also a child actor of film and/or television, the former billed as either Tim, Timmy, or Timmie, and the latter as either Susan or Susie. Hawkins attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, participating in sports activities, and he was a leader of the Junior Achievement group in Burbank.
In addition to Hawkins's acting, he made personal appearances that featured his roping and trick riding.
Personal life
Hawkins is the author of five books about the film It's a Wonderful Life, served on The Jimmy Stewart Museum Advisory Board, and for 20 years served on the board of directors of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts.
In celebration of the Frank Capra film, Hawkins and other cast members appear annually at the "It's A Wonderful Life Festival" in Seneca Falls, New York, the town thought to be the inspiration for the movie's setting of Bedford Falls.
Filmography (selection)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Tommy Bailey
The Ruggles (1949–1952) (TV series, 137 episodes) as Donald Ruggles
Annie Oakley (1954–1957) (TV series, 81 episodes) as Tagg Oakley
Dennis The Menace (1961) (TV series) (Season 2 Episode 33: "Dennis' Newspaper") as Chuck Long
Leave It to Beaver (1961) (TV series) (Season 4 Episode 25: "Wally and Dudley") as Dudley McMillan
Bringing Up Buddy (1961) (TV series, 3 episodes)
(Season 1 Episode 17: "The Education of Nicky Marlo") as Fennimore
(Season 1 Episode 24: "Buddy and Fennimore") as Fennimore Cooper
(Season 1 Episode 34: "Buddy and the Teenager")
Ichabod and Me (1961–1962) (TV series, 11 episodes) as Jonathan Baylor
Zotz! (1962) as Jimmy Kellgore
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1962) (Season 7 Episode 15: "The Door Without a Key") as Dewey Sims
My Three Sons (1963) (TV series)
(Season 3 Episode 26: "High on the Hog") as George
(Season 4 Episode 4: "Dear Robbie") as John Carter
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1962–1964) (TV series, 6 episodes) as Jimmy
