The sixties was a time of change and those who lived it can
tell tales of Vietnam, the first astronaut to land on the moon and most can
tell you where they were when President John F. Kennedy was shot. The face of
television was changing as well. More and more people had televisions in their
homes and programming took a different turn. The sixties gave us a decade of
great child actors who are still remembered over fifty years later.
Top Child Stars of the 1960's:
Ron Howard (Ronny Howard)- His name is a legend among child
actors. He is still well-known and well-loved as the little boy who began
playing the role of Opie Taylor in the sixties sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show.
He took the role in 1960 when he was just five-years-old. He continued in that
role for eight seasons, nearly the entire decade. He was the red-headed child
that everyone fell in love with. In later years, he became well-known for his
role in the seventies television sitcom, Happy Days. He played Richie
Cunningham, another loveable character with a heart of gold. Howard has starred
in several films, including the blockbuster hit, American Graffiti, and
eventually went behind the scenes to direct.
Kurt Russell- Kurt was a little bit older than Ron when he started
his career. He was most well-known for his roles in some of the Walt Disney’s
Wonderful World of Color in the sixties when millions of little girls fell in
love with his handsome face and hoped they would see more of him as time went
on. Their dreams came true as Kurt grew from child actor to adult actor, making
a smooth transition and sometimes a big splash. Goldie Hawn had the good
fortune to hook up with Kurt and meet him at the altar though.
Jay North- He played the role of one of America’s favorite
blond-headed boys and the character, along with Jay’s face made him a
television icon that will be remembered for an eternity. In recent years, North
opted out of the business and lives a quiet life and has not donned overalls
and a cowlick for many years. He is forever a part of the American heart and
re-runs of the hit sitcom will continue long after the original fans have
passed from the world.
Johnny Whitaker and Anissa Jones- These two played a set of
twins in one of the best sitcoms of the time. Johnny and Anissa played adorable
orphans who, along with older sister Sissy, played by Kathy Garver, moved to
the city to live with their Uncle Bill and his Gentleman's Gentleman, Mr.
French. This family taught America about what true family is. Anissa died in
1976 but Johnny went on to act in many more television shows including Sigmund
and the Sea Monster. He currently works helping other stay sober and clean.
This pair of childhood actors will continue to give fans a warm fuzzy feeling
every time they think of them.
There were many child actors that came and went in the sixties.
The above named are some of the most popular of the time and with good reason.
They brought joy to our hearts and gave us something to look forward to when a
new show was coming on. Those same shows continue to spread joy across the United
States and span five generations of fans.
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