Rusty Hamer - Hollywood Star Walk - Los Angeles Times

Rusty Hamer

Stars

Born Feb. 15, 1947 in Tenafly, NJ

Died Jan. 18, 1990 of self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head in DeRidder, La.

Rusty Hamer was a precocious child actor, famous for starring in the television series "Make Room for Daddy" for 11 years.

Born in Tenafly, N.J., Hamer had appeared in several Abbott and Costello films before landing the leading role in "Make Room for Daddy" at the age of 6. On the series, Hamer played the bratty but lovable boy whose father was a nightclub singer and comedian. The show was a reflection of star Danny Thomas' own life, and it dwelt on the problems generated by the many times entertainers are forced to be away from their families.

When the show ended in 1964, 17-year-old Hamer had to go from a film lot school to a public one. He attempted a brief return to show business in the 1970s, appearing in bit parts for television series such as "Green Acres," but never landed any steady roles.

By the time he was 20, he was working for a Los Angeles messenger service and was bitter and depressed, his brother said. After moving to southwestern Louisiana, his jobs included delivering a newspaper, working offshore for Exxon and occasional work at his brother's restaurant.

Hamer's suicide raised awareness of the potential mental fragility of child performers, and inspired fellow child actor Paul Petersen to found A Minor Consideration, a support group for young actors.

— Burt A. Folkart in the Los Angeles Times Jan. 20, 1990

Related stars

Danny Thomas
Actor
Marjorie Lord
Costar
Eva Gabor
Costar

Points of interest

Three thoughts about Rusty Hamer

“

It breaks my heart to hear about Rusty and his life after high school. It's not true that he went off the stage school at age 17 because I went to school with him at Corpus Christi Catholic School in Pacific Palisades. And we were both around 13 years old and in the 8th grade, with the boys and girls being in separate rooms. Rusty was a very good and decent person as I remember him.

My little memory story of Rusty Hamer is about him going up to another 8th grade boy, extending his hand to shake and congratulate him for graduating from the 8th grade and the boy being really mean and nasty to him. He was so nasty that, as shy as I was, I went up to this boy and reprimanded him for doing that because Rusty had looked so hurt. And years later when I had heard that Rusty had committed suicide I wrote a letter to the head priest of Corpus Christi School to tell Rusty's story and ask that they put anti-bullying policies in their educational programming. I never got an anwer to that letter, which should give parents in Pacific Palisades a good reason for not sending their children there.

Rusty spent his most socially formative parts of his life in a stage school before he came to us. He got his lessons with either no other kids being present or just one or two others there. The methods and tools were also different because of this. So he came to Corpus Christi School thinking that it was okay to bring his typewriter along just as he did in Hollywood. And he probably got immediately labeled as "different" because of it. Then once that label was applied it was probably all down hill from there. Public school kids can make life miserable for newcomers, especially ones that they may be jealous of unless they have a life coach or someone that shows them the ropes.

Meanwhile, I absolutely feel that Rusty Hamer deserves his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and not because of how sadly his life turned out. He deserves it because of what Danny Thomas said, which was that Rusty Hamer was the best young boy actor around. He had a great memory for lines and could easily ab lib when the dialog took an unexpected turn. That is a sign of a really good, professional actor. Too bad that he didn't get paid like one. Shame. Shame on Hollywood. And shame on Corpus Christi School and the bullies there.

” — Cristi Currie, January 3, 2014 at 6:42 p.m.

“

As I grew up watching Make Room For Danny, and the Danny Thomas Show, which I enjoyed very much. I just read the story regarding Rusty Hamer school years I had no idea that there were bullies that targeted Rusty, where were the teachers, or student to speak up.

On Make Room For Danny, Rusty was an enjoyable, intelligent and quite talented. It hard for me to believe that of all people that Rusty had a hard life, he showed so much self esteem. Why didn't his parents help him, or even Danny himself, and Danny was a great person. My heart really hurts to hear of Rusty, but God Bless him and forgive him for giving too soon.
"God Bless you Rusty"
You made me laugh Rusty Thank You!

” — Norma Aspeitia, May 5, 2014 at 5:33 p.m.

“

I enjoyed watching make room for daddy I still watch it now it's too bad rusty did what he did with no disrespect I feel that many people blame others for their problems in life I believe Hollywood has many pressures but that's how it is there is no reason for anyone to take their own life there are many people that have gone through far worst life is too precious to destroy I have gone through many bad trials in my life I have been homeless and almost starved but I refuse to end a beautiful life I believe rusty should have got professional help anyone that shoots their self in the head the way he did is very unbalanced it's not normal without being cruel he had a severe mental problem.

” — scoope, August 24, 2014 at 9:38 a.m.

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