BIO

Freddie Bartholomew was born Frederick Cecil Bartholomew in London, England, in 1924.   His father, a World War I veteran, was a civil servant.   He was raised by an aunt.

Adept from an early age at recitation, he made his British film debut in a starring role for a short-reel produced by Gainsborough Pictures in 1930, at the age of 6.

MGM producer David O. Selznick was so impressed with the boy’s screen tests that he replaced the American actor already recruited for David Copperfield (1935) with Bartholomew.   The film was a hit and Bartholomew became a top child star in the U.S.

He was able to transition to teen star, appearing in several films in the early 1940s.

Bartholomew enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Force as an aircraft mechanic during World War II, was placed on injured reserve, and mustered out in 1944.   He was unable to make the jump to adult star, making his last film appearance in 1951, at the age of 26.

Bartholomew’s parents tried to regain custody of him from his aunt and most of his wealth was spent on lawyer’s fees during a protracted legal battle.   He later established a career in advertising.

He married three times:

1. Maely Daniele, publicist, 1946-1953, divorced;
2. Aileen Paul, television personality, 1953-1977.   The couple raised three children, including one from Paul’s previous relationship.   They divorced in 1977.
3. Elizabeth ?, ?-1992.

Bartholomew died from emphysema in Sarasota, Florida, in 1992. He was 67 years old.

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS

Complete filmography at: