Brandon De Wilde Net Worth
Brandon de Wilde was an immensely talented actor who died tragically at just 30 in a car accident. However, his legacy lives on through films and soundtrack work created during his short but prolific life.
Born into a theatrical family, de Wilde made his Broadway debut at nine in The Member of the Wedding by Fred Zinnemann and reprised this role for its 1952 film version directed by Frederick Zindelnmann.
Early Life and Education
Born into a theatrical family in Brooklyn, de Wilde made his acclaimed Broadway debut at seven and quickly earned critical acclaim as a prodigy. However, his soft-spoken accent often reminded people of Southern drawls which did not always match his roles well.
He married twice: first to Susan Maw and later Janice Gero. The former marriage produced Jesse; while Janice Gero became his partner three months before his tragic demise.
De Wilde made his final screen appearance in Dino de Laurentiis’ 1971 spaghetti western The Deserter, one year before his untimely death in a traffic accident near Denver at age 30.
Professional Career
Born into a theatrical family in Brooklyn, de Wilde first made his Broadway debut at age 7. Soon thereafter he went on to star in 492 performances of The Member of the Wedding on Broadway and become an international phenomenon.
As an adult, he entered into a two-picture deal with Disney in 1964, appearing in both The Tenderfoot – a three-part comedy Western for Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color TV show – and Those Calloways for theatrical release; both films reunited him with Good-bye My Lady co-star Walter Brennan.
He was also a regular on the ABC sitcom Jamie, as well as appearing alongside Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint in All Fall Down. Tragically, however, his career was cut tragically short when he died tragically at 30 from a car accident on July 6, 1972.
Achievement and Honors
De Wilde made his Broadway debut at age seven in Carson McCuller’s The Member of the Wedding, before going on to star in several film roles and receive an Academy Award nomination – becoming the youngest actor ever nominated in an academy-competitive category category! – in 1952 for playing Joey Starrett in Shane movie. He became first actor ever nominated as youngest nominee ever!
Jamie (TV series, 1953-54) marked his television debut, followed by Walter Brennan and Sidney Poitier in 1956 western Good-Bye My Lady. Missouri Traveler, Blue Denim and Martin Ritt’s dramatic adaptation Hud featuring Eva Marie Saint and Paul Newman were his other work during this decade.
De Wilde excelled at acting but also pursued music, narrating two classical recordings: Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev and Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to Orchestra (Young Person’s Guide) for two classical labels. Born Andre Brandon de Wilde in Brooklyn, New York on April 23, 1910; passed away July 6, 1972 in Denver.
Personal Life
Andre Brandon de Wilde was born into a theatrical family in Brooklyn and made his Broadway debut at seven. Since then he had appeared in Mrs. McThing as well as various Western movies, such as The Member of the Wedding and Shane. Additionally he became well-known for starring on TV series Jamie in 1953/54 which air until his tragic death at 30 from a traffic accident near Denver suburb.
His death was a great tragedy for the industry and those closest to him were deeply shocked at his untimely passing. Angela Lansbury who starred with him in All Fall Down noted how all of their cast had shared in mourning his demise together. An immensely talented actor and soundtrack artist, his legacy continues to inspire and entertain people today.
Net Worth
Brandon de Wilde was an American actor known for appearing in plays, movies and TV shows. Born in Brooklyn New York on March 12, 1934 to Colorado and died July 6, 1972 after a traffic accident near Denver suburbs, de Wilde was 30 at his time of passing away.
Brandon de Wilde made his mark as a child actor before eventually going on to star in several films such as Shane as Joey Starrett. From 1953-1954 he hosted his own TV series Jamie which ran until 1954. Additionally he provided narration for classical works Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev and The Young Person’s Guide to Orchestra by Benjamin Britten.
