
His first performance was a little shaky, but he quickly mastered the role to great critical acclaim. Brandon appeared afew times on television with any real notice before getting the part of John Thomas in Member of the Wedding.īrandon made his broadway debut at seven in Member of the Wedding in 1951. His line "Come back Shane!" has to be one of the 10 most memorable lines in the history of the movies. We have no information as to how Brandon normally dressed when not acting.īrandon is best known for his peformances in Member of the Wedding and Shane.

We have littkle information about his childhood at this time. Brandon as a young child expressed no real interest in acting. They decided to audition Brandon.īrandon was born Apin Brooklyn New York. A producer mentioned that a boy was needed for the part of the sensitive John Henry. They had hoped to get Tommy Rettig for the part. His dad was working as the stage manager of the "Member Of the Wedding". He was the son of a stage manager who was a former actor. He died at only 30 years of age due to injuries suffered in a car crash.
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He appeared in a variety of films and TV shows, but without any further memorable performances.
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The movie makers did not quite know what to do with him. Brandon looked far younger than he was, but made few pictures as a teenager. One reviewer wrote, "It is Master DeWilde with his bright face, his clear voice, and his resolute boyish ways who steals the affection of the audience and clinches "Shane" as a most unusual film." He had a TV series, Jamie (1953-54), an unpretentious show which Brandon later recalled with affection. His line, "Come back, Shane!" is one of the most famous movie lines of all history. He became internationally famous the following year in the Western classic, Shane (1953) for which he received an Oscar nomination. He also played Howey in the popular Broadway play, Mrs. (The producers originally wanted Tommy Rettig.) He was the first child actor ever to win the Donaldson Award for an outstanding stage performance.

He played again played the part of John Henry, the bespectacled bratty-overly imaginative 7-year old, in the film version (1952). He made his broadway debut at seven in Member of the Wedding (1951) to great critical acclaim. He was the son of a stage manager and an actress. Clothing and costues worn by child actors: Brandon deWildeĬlothing and Costumes Worn by Child Stars: Brandon de Wilde (United States, 1942-72)įigure 1.-Brandon is pictured here as John Thomas, the bespectecled younger brother in "Member of the Wedding".īrandon was born Apin Brooklyn New York.
