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Rusty Hamer
Rusty Hamer
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Russell Craig "Rusty" Hamer (February 15, 1947 – January 18, 1990) was an American stage, film, and television actor. He portrayed Rusty Williams, the wisecracking son of entertainer Danny Williams (Danny Thomas), on the ABC/CBS situation comedy Make Room for Daddy (later retitled The Danny Thomas Show), from 1953 to 1964. He reprised the role in three reunion specials and the sequel series, Make Room for Granddaddy, which aired on ABC from 1970 to 1971.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Born in Tenafly, New Jersey,[1] Hamer was the youngest of three sons of Arthur Walter John Hamer, Sr., a men's shirt salesman and Dorothy Hamer (née Chretien), a former silent film actress of Maltese heritage.[2] He had two older brothers, John and Walter.[3] As a child, Hamer was nicknamed "Rusty" as a derivative of his first name Russell, and also because of his red hair and freckles.[4]

Career

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Due to his parents' involvement in community theater productions, Hamer and his brothers performed in stage productions. As a toddler, Hamer memorized and recited stories and performed skits for service club luncheons, women's clubs, and church groups.[5]

In 1951, the Hamers moved to Los Angeles, where Arthur Hamer worked as representative for a manufacturer of men's sport shirts. Arthur Hamer died eight months after his son was cast in The Danny Thomas Show).[2][6][7]

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, Hamer's older brother John was discovered by an agent while performing in a local stage production in which Rusty was also performing. The agent signed both boys to a film contract.[3] The following year, Hamer won his first acting role in the 3-D Western Fort Ti, starring George Montgomery and Joan Vohs.[8]

In 1953, entertainer Danny Thomas's secretary saw Hamer in a stage production and was impressed by the child's talent and charm. She suggested that Thomas audition Hamer for a role in his upcoming sitcom Make Room for Daddy. Thomas was also impressed by the 6-year old and cast Hamer as his precocious and quick-witted son, Rusty Williams.[3] Thomas later said of Hamer, "He was the best boy actor I ever saw in my life. He had a great memory...great timing and you could change a line on him at the last minute and he came right back with it."[9]

Make Room for Daddy debuted on ABC on September 29, 1953, and, while critically acclaimed, garnered poor ratings.[10][11] After four seasons, the series moved to CBS where it was re-tooled and retitled The Danny Thomas Show.[11] The retooled version quickly became a hit with audiences and was a Top 15 hit for its remaining seven seasons.[12]

During the run of The Danny Thomas Show, Hamer attempted to launch a singing career. He first performed a song in a 1956 episode of Danny Thomas entitled "The Talented Kid". In 1959, Hamer released his only single, a "rockaballad" called "Two-of-a-Kind" (with the b side "If Only Mother Would Let Me") written by Wally Gold and Aaron Schroeder, through Mercury Records. The single was a commercial failure and Hamer never released another single.[4][13]

By late 1963, The Danny Thomas Show had garnered five Primetime Emmy Awards (among other awards) and was still ranked in the Top 10. However, Danny Thomas announced that he had decided to end the show in order to produce and star in other projects.[12][14]

After the series ended, 17-year-old Hamer enrolled at Palisades High School (later restructured as Palisades Charter High School), but had difficulty adjusting to public school as he was accustomed to being privately tutored on the set.[7][9]

Shortly before graduating in June 1964, Hamer was interviewed by reporter Bob Thomas and stated that he intended to continue his acting career and hoped to branch out into dramatic roles. Hamer said that he was under consideration for roles in several television series including Mr. Novak, Arrest and Trial, and Ben Casey. Hamer also said that he planned to attend college on the advice of Danny Thomas, whom he considered a second father, since his own father had died in 1953.[7]

About a year after The Danny Thomas Show ended, Hamer reprised the role of Rusty Williams in three episodes of The Joey Bishop Show, in which Rusty was a university student staying with the family of Joey Barnes. The show was coincidentally cancelled shortly after Hamer's arrival. Hamer also appeared in the reunion special The Danny Thomas TV Family Reunion, which aired on NBC.[15]

On December 27, 1966, Hamer underwent emergency surgery at Santa Monica Emergency Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound to the abdomen when a gun he was carrying in a shoulder holster slid out, fell to the ground, and discharged. Hamer was carrying the gun having just returned from an overnight hunting trip.[16] After recovering, he appeared in a second reunion special, "Make More Room For Daddy", that aired during a segment of the NBC anthology series The Danny Thomas Hour, in 1967.[15]

Throughout the mid to late 1960s, Hamer continued to attempt a transition into adult roles and, according to Danny Thomas, enrolled in acting classes, but was unable to land any acting jobs. By the end of the decade, he had grown increasingly bitter and depressed over his waning career.[8][17] To support himself, he began working for a messenger service in Los Angeles and later worked as a carpenter's apprentice.[8][17] Hamer's only non-"Rusty Williams" acting role post-1964 was a guest spot on the CBS sitcom Green Acres that aired in November 1969.[18]

Hamer (top left) in 1970 with co-stars in Make Room for Granddaddy.

In 1969, Hamer again reprised his role as Rusty Williams in a third reunion special, Make Room for Granddaddy. The special aired on CBS on September 14.[19] Due to the ratings success of the reunion specials, ABC created a weekly sequel series, also titled Make Room for Granddaddy, for their fall 1970 schedule.[20] The series premiered on September 24, 1970, but failed to catch on with audiences.[21] Make Room for Granddaddy was cancelled after one season.[22] It was Hamer's final acting role.

Later years

[edit]

In the 1970s, Hamer moved to southwestern Louisiana where he worked on an off-shore oil rig for Exxon and delivered newspapers.[9][23][24] In 1976, he relocated to DeRidder, Louisiana, to be closer to his ailing mother, Dorothy, who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and lived with his older brother John. John had opened a cafe where, in his final years, Rusty Hamer occasionally worked as a short order cook.[9]

In October 1981, Hamer reunited with former co-stars Danny Thomas and Angela Cartwright. The reunion was televised as part of the ABC special What Became Of...?, that aired on October 25.[25]

Death

[edit]

On the night of January 18, 1990, John Hamer found his brother's body in his trailer home in DeRidder, Louisiana. Hamer had shot himself in the head with a .357 Magnum revolver.[26]

John Hamer later said he believed that his brother had remained bitter over his inability to transition into acting as an adult. He also said he believed that his brother's chronic and debilitating back pain (for which Hamer refused to seek medical treatment) and their mother's illness had contributed to Hamer's depression.[8] He stated:

He hasn't really been happy since his early 20s. But he didn't show any signs of this happening. It was just all of a sudden. [...] He was a very unhappy, very confused young man. No one does something like that if he isn't confused. I've heard of a lot of child actors who have become unhappy with their lives after they've left the industry.[27][28]

Hamer's body was cremated and no service was held.[27] His ashes were scattered at sea, three miles off Marina del Rey, California, with the ashes of Tommy Rettig in a combined ceremony after the latter's death in 1996.[29]

Legacy

[edit]

On February 8, 1960, Hamer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television. His star is located at 6323 Hollywood Boulevard.[30]

Hamer's suicide raised awareness of the potential mental fragility of child performers and inspired fellow former child actor Paul Petersen, formerly of ABC's The Donna Reed Show, to establish the support group A Minor Consideration. The group seeks to improve working conditions for young actors and assists former child entertainers in making the transition from past fame to adult life.[31]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1953 Fort Ti Jed's Nephew Uncredited
1953–1964 Make Room for Daddy Rusty Williams 323 episodes
1954 Four Star Playhouse Dickie Episode: "Vote of Confidence"
1954 Shower of Stars Rusty Episode: "Entertainment on Wheels"
1956 Dance with Me, Henry Duffer Final 'Abbott & Costello' film
1958 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour Rusty Williams Episode: "Lucy Makes Room for Danny"
1958 Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Rusty Williams Episode: "Lucy Makes Room for Danny"
1958 The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford Himself Episode #3.13
1961 The Red Skelton Show Guest drummer Episode #10.12
1965 The Joey Bishop Show Rusty Williams 3 episodes
1967 The Danny Thomas Hour Rusty Episode: "Make More Room for Daddy"
1969 Green Acres Alfred Episode: "Oliver's Schoolgirl Crush"
1970–1971 Make Room for Granddaddy Rusty Williams 24 episodes, (final appearance)

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Russell Craig "Rusty" Hamer (February 15, 1947 – January 18, 1990) was an American child actor best known for his role as Rusty Williams, the precocious son of Danny Williams, on the long-running sitcom Make Room for Daddy (later retitled The Danny Thomas Show), which aired from 1953 to 1964. Born in Tenafly, New Jersey, to a men's shirt salesman father and mother Dorothy Chretien, a former silent movie actress, Hamer began his career at age six, appearing in several Abbott and Costello films, including their final outing Dance with Me, Henry (1956). He joined Make Room for Daddy in 1953, delivering 351 episodes with his natural comic timing, which earned high praise from star Danny Thomas as that of "the best boy actor I've ever seen." Hamer reprised his role in the short-lived sequel Make Room for Granddaddy (1970–1971), which was canceled after one season, and made guest appearances in shows like . After his acting career waned in his early twenties, he struggled with depression, chronic , and , taking odd jobs such as messenger, newspaper delivery boy, offshore oil worker for Exxon, and short-order cook at his brother's café in . On January 18, 1990, at age 42, Hamer died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his home in DeRidder; his brother discovered the body and noted that Rusty had not been truly happy since his early twenties. His death, alongside other former child stars like those from Our Gang, heightened awareness of the mental health challenges faced by young performers, inspiring the founding of the advocacy group A Minor Consideration by Paul Petersen. Hamer's ashes were scattered at sea off Marina del Rey, California, in a ceremony shared with fellow child actor Tommy Rettig. In recognition of his contributions to television, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the television category at 6323 Hollywood Boulevard on February 8, 1960.

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Russell Craig Hamer was born on February 15, 1947, in . He was given the nickname "Rusty" due to his and , which evoked the image of rust. Hamer was the youngest of three sons born to Arthur Walter Hamer Sr., a men's salesman, and Dorothy Hamer (née Chretin), a former actress. His older brothers were John and Walter. His mother's brief career in silent films provided an early familial connection to the entertainment industry. In 1954, when Hamer was seven years old, his father died of a heart attack.

Childhood and Relocation

Rusty Hamer was born Russell Craig Hamer on February 15, 1947, in , the youngest of three sons to Arthur Walter Hamer Sr., a men's salesman, and Dorothy Hamer (née Chretin), a former bit player in silent films. His older brothers were John and Walter. The family resided in the suburban community of Tenafly during his early years. This period provided a stable, middle-class environment, with early exposure to entertainment discussions due to his mother's show business background, though no formal involvement in performances occurred at such a young age. In 1951, when Hamer was four years old, the family relocated to , , drawn by opportunities in the entertainment industry linked to Dorothy Hamer's prior experience, while Arthur Hamer took a job as a representative for a men's sport shirts manufacturer. The move represented a pivotal shift from suburban East Coast life to the dynamic Hollywood scene, allowing the family to immerse themselves in California's burgeoning television and film culture. Upon settling in , the Hamers adjusted to their new surroundings, fostering a home environment rich in creative influences without yet pursuing professional for Rusty. At his young age, formal education was limited to basic or home-based learning, with emphasis placed on family bonding and adaptation to the West Coast lifestyle; this period was later shadowed by Arthur Hamer's death in , adding emotional strain to their early years.

Acting Career

Breakthrough in Make Room for Daddy

At the age of six, Rusty Hamer was cast in the role of Rusty Williams, the mischievous and freckle-faced son of entertainer Danny Williams, on the Make Room for Daddy, which premiered on ABC in September 1953. His casting came shortly after a minor uncredited appearance as Jed's nephew in the 3-D Fort Ti earlier that year, marking his entry into acting. The character's antics, often involving clever wisecracks and boyish pranks that mirrored Hamer's own red-haired, freckled appearance and natural comic timing, became central to the show's appeal as a lighthearted family comedy centered on the Williams household. The series, later retitled , ran for 11 seasons across ABC (1953–1957) and (1957–1964), producing a total of 351 episodes, with Hamer appearing in every one as the sole original cast member besides star to remain throughout the entire run. On set, Hamer's professional relationship with Thomas developed into a close ; Thomas, who often struggled to maintain composure during scenes due to Hamer's ad-libbed humor, regarded him as a surrogate son and frequently praised his exceptional talent and line memorization skills, fostering a dynamic that enhanced their on-screen father-son chemistry. Hamer's portrayal propelled him to early fame, establishing him as one of television's most recognizable child actors of the era and contributing significantly to the show's success in capturing the everyday challenges and joys of family life amid a performer's career. This breakthrough culminated in his receiving a star on the in the television category on February 8, 1960, at the age of 12, located at 6323 .

Other Roles and Ventures

Hamer's early acting opportunities extended beyond television into film with his debut role in the 1953 Western , directed by , where he portrayed Jed's nephew at the age of six in a 3D adventure set during the . He later appeared in the comedy (1956) as Duffer. These appearances marked brief forays into cinema before his primary focus on sitcom work. Throughout the 1960s, as his signature series wound down, Hamer took on sporadic guest roles that showcased his established persona as the mischievous Rusty Williams. Notable among these were two episodes of in 1965, where he reprised the character as a houseguest navigating comedic family dynamics. Later, in 1969, he appeared in the Green Acres episode "Oliver's Schoolgirl Crush," playing a minor role in the rural sitcom's whimsical storyline. These limited television spots, totaling fewer than a dozen across the decade, reflected a transitional phase in his career with diminishing opportunities. Hamer briefly ventured into music in 1959, releasing his sole single "Two of a Kind" b/w "If My Mother'd Only Let Me Cross the Street" on the following January. Described as a "rockaballad," the track failed to chart and received no commercial success, effectively ending his recording pursuits. His final on-screen return to acting came with the short-lived ABC sitcom Make Room for Granddaddy (1970–1971), a to his breakthrough series, in which he again played Rusty Williams across all 24 episodes. Aired from September 1970 to March 1971, the show attempted to update the family premise but was canceled after one season, signaling the conclusion of Hamer's professional acting career at age 24.

Later Years

Relocation and Employment

Following the conclusion of his acting career in 1971 with the short-lived series Make Room for Granddaddy, Rusty Hamer remained in , where he took on manual labor jobs to support himself, including work as a messenger for a local service. By his early twenties, he had also apprenticed as a carpenter while seeking stability after years in the entertainment industry. In the 1970s, Hamer relocated from to southwestern , drawn to the region's quieter, rural environment away from Hollywood's pressures, eventually settling in a modest trailer near DeRidder, about 40 miles north of Lake Charles. There, he embraced a low-profile lifestyle focused on everyday work, including jobs delivering newspapers and occasional shifts at his brother's as a short-order cook in local diners. Hamer further pursued physically demanding employment on offshore in the , working for companies like Exxon as part of crews handling rig operations. This marked a significant shift to blue-collar labor in rural Southwest , where he lived reclusively for much of his later years. In October 1981, Hamer briefly reconnected with his Make Room for Daddy past during a nostalgic reunion with co-stars and , featured in the ABC television special What Became Of...?, which aired on October 25—though he did not resume afterward.

Personal Struggles

In adulthood, Rusty Hamer grappled with chronic depression, which his brother John attributed to the pressures of child stardom and the abrupt decline of his acting career after leaving Hollywood in his early twenties. By age 20, Hamer had become bitter and depressed, struggling to transition from fame to an ordinary life without the skills or to support himself beyond menial work. This emotional isolation deepened after his 1976 relocation to , where he had few social connections and never married or had children, living primarily in a with his brother. Hamer also endured persistent that significantly impaired his daily life, with his brother noting that he complained of extreme discomfort but refused medical treatment. As attempted mechanisms, he briefly worked on offshore and as a short-order cook in local cafes, though these low-paying jobs offered little stability and he was unemployed in the months before his death. Compounding these personal challenges were family health burdens, particularly his mother Dorothy's battle with in her later years, which prompted Hamer's move to to assist in her care while she resided in a . This responsibility, alongside his own financial strains from and emotional withdrawal, left him increasingly isolated from broader support networks.

Death

Circumstances Leading to Death

In the months leading up to his death, Rusty Hamer grappled with deepening depression that had afflicted him since his early twenties, leaving him bitter and isolated from the success of his childhood acting days. His brother John, who lived nearby, later described Hamer as having been unhappy for decades, though he exhibited no overt signs of imminent . Hamer resided alone in a trailer on the outskirts of , approximately 40 miles north of Lake Charles, where family ties offered limited emotional support amid strained personal connections. Financial hardship persisted as he took sporadic jobs, including short-order cook at his brother John's local café, a far cry from his earlier Hollywood earnings. Compounding his woes was a severe decline in physical health from chronic , which Hamer complained about intensely but refused medical attention for, further eroding his . At 42 years old, he voiced ongoing despair to family about his unfulfilled post-childhood existence, with no discovered to explain his final decision.

Suicide and Aftermath

On January 18, 1990, Rusty Hamer died by at his home trailer in , from a self-inflicted to the head using a .357-caliber . He was discovered later that evening by his brother, John Hamer, who alerted authorities; the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed the death as a from a self-inflicted to the head. The act was attributed to preceding depression, as noted by family members. Hamer's remains were cremated shortly after his death at Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, with no public funeral service held. The family managed the event privately to maintain seclusion, including notifying former co-star , who expressed profound grief, stating, "He was the best boy actor I ever saw in my life." Initial media reports, including coverage from major outlets, emphasized the tragic end of a former child star's life, highlighting the challenges faced by young performers post-fame without delving into broader personal history.

Legacy

Awards and Recognition

Rusty Hamer received a star on the on February 8, 1960, in recognition of his contributions to television, located at 6323 . During his tenure on Make Room for Daddy (later retitled ), Hamer was the only cast member besides to appear in all 11 seasons, spanning 1953 to 1964, which highlighted his sustained prominence as a child performer. His billing as a key ensemble member reflected this longevity, and he earned praise from Thomas for his exceptional comic timing and talent, with Thomas describing him as "the best boy actor I ever saw." Hamer did not receive major individual awards such as Primetime Emmys, though the series itself won Emmys for Best New Program in 1954 and Best Comedy Series in 1955, underscoring the cast's collective impact during the and television era. Posthumously, Hamer's contributions to the show's enduring legacy were noted in industry retrospectives on the Emmy-winning program, including tributes to its .

Influence on Child Actor Advocacy

Rusty Hamer's suicide in 1990 served as a catalyzing event for increased advocacy efforts supporting former child actors, most notably inspiring Paul Petersen, a fellow former child star from The Donna Reed Show, to found the nonprofit organization A Minor Consideration in January 1991. This group provides lifelong support, counseling, and resources to child performers navigating the transition to adulthood, including assistance with education, financial management, and mental health services. Petersen's motivation stemmed directly from Hamer's tragic death, which highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by young entertainers after their fame fades. Hamer's life and death have been frequently cited in broader discussions of the so-called "child star curse," a term used to describe the risks and emotional toll of early Hollywood fame, such as depression, , and career instability. His story underscores the long-term psychological impacts of abrupt shifts from public adoration to obscurity, prompting industry conversations about the need for sustained welfare programs for . This awareness has contributed to a cultural recognition of how the entertainment industry's demands can exacerbate personal struggles for young performers. In a poignant symbol of shared experiences among child stars, Hamer's ashes were scattered at sea off , in a combined ceremony with those of fellow child actor —known for —following Rettig's death in 1996. This joint rite reflected the common hardships endured by many in their cohort, including the pressures of early success and later personal battles, fostering a sense of solidarity in posthumous remembrance. Media retrospectives on Hamer during the and often portrayed his trajectory as a , emphasizing the importance of industry protections to prevent similar outcomes for young talents. Articles and profiles in outlets like the and revisited his career highs and lows, advocating for better safeguards against exploitation and post-fame . These pieces helped amplify calls for , influencing public and professional discourse on welfare. Cases like Hamer's have indirectly shaped ongoing references in child labor laws and guidelines, particularly through advocacy groups like A Minor Consideration, which has lobbied for stricter regulations on working hours, education requirements, and mental health support for minors in entertainment. For instance, Petersen's efforts have contributed to pushes for enhanced state-level protections and union policies that address the unique risks of the industry, ensuring more comprehensive oversight beyond immediate sets.

Filmography

Television Roles

Hamer's most prominent television role was as Rusty Williams, the clever and mischievous son of nightclub singer Danny Williams (played by ), in the long-running sitcom Make Room for Daddy (later retitled ), which aired from 1953 to 1964 across ABC and . He appeared in all 343 episodes of the series, providing consistent through his character's wisecracking personality and involvement in everyday family antics. Key episode arcs highlighted family travels and adventures, such as trips to Hollywood for escapades and a vacation through that tested the Williams family's dynamics. Hamer reprised his role as the now-adult Rusty Williams in the sequel series Make Room for Granddaddy, which ran for one season from 1970 to 1971 on ABC, appearing in all 24 episodes. In this continuation, the character navigated grown-up challenges within the expanded family, including interactions with grandchildren and Danny's ongoing career, while retaining elements of the original's humor. Beyond these lead roles, Hamer made a notable guest appearance on the Green Acres in 1969, playing high school student Alfred Newton in the episode "Oliver's School Girl Crush" (Season 5, Episode 10), where his character contributed to the show's signature rural comedic mishaps involving misunderstandings and small-town life. Hamer's other television work in the 1950s and 1960s consisted primarily of minor and recurring guest spots in and variety specials, often linked to his association with , including appearances on The Red Skelton Show (1961), The Ford Show, Starring (1958), The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, (1954), and Shower of Stars (1954). He also featured in three episodes of The Joey Bishop Show (1965) as Rusty Williams, and one episode of The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1958). Additionally, he reprised his role in The Danny Thomas Hour (1967). Overall, Hamer's television credits emphasized family-oriented comedy, totaling over 370 appearances across series and specials.

Film Roles

Rusty Hamer's entry into cinema occurred shortly after his family's relocation to in 1951, marking his acting debut at age six. His first film role was an uncredited appearance as Jed's nephew in Fort Ti (1953), a 3D historical adventure directed by , where he portrayed a young boy on the frontier during the . This sparse film work continued with a credited supporting role as Duffer, an orphan child at a rundown , in the comedy (1956), directed by and starring and . Hamer had no further appearances after 1956, as his career shifted entirely to television, where he achieved greater prominence.

References

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