Person Biography:
George Karl Wentzlaff, later known as Foghorn, was born on May 3, 1946, in Los Angeles, with a unique combination of deep blue eyes, dark blond hair, and a "Buster Brown" haircut. He was a child actor who stole scenes from veteran comedians like Marilyn Monroe, Clifton Webb, and Cary Grant.
Early Life and Career:
George was discovered by Art Linkletter on his family-oriented radio program "People Are Funny" in the early 1950s. His parents, encouraged by his uncle, pitched him to Linkletter, who was impressed by the boy's unique raspy tones and deadpan delivery. George became a regular on the show, returning a record 20 times.
George's talent did not go unnoticed, and he was soon signed by director Norman Taurog for a role in Cary Grant's film "Room for One More" (1952). The success of this movie led to Warner Bros. putting him under contract, and he later signed with Twentieth Century-Fox.
Career Highlights:
George made a strong impression in "My Pal Gus" (1952),winning a Critic's Award, and reappeared with Cary Grant again in "Monkey Business" (1952) alongside Ginger Rogers and Marilyn Monroe. He stole scenes as Monroe's wealthy young admirer in the classic "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953).
Other notable films include "Mister Scoutmaster" (1953),"The Rocket Man" (1954),"Artists and Models" (1955),"An Affair to Remember" (1957),"Rock, Pretty Baby!" (1956),and "Wild Heritage" (1958).
TV Appearances:
George also appeared on TV comedies, including "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (1952),"Blondie" (1957),and "Dear Phoebe" (1954).
Later Life and Career:
As George grew older, he struggled to transition his child actor persona into an adult career. He officially retired from show business before reaching his teens and completely shunned the spotlight in later years.
George reverted to his real name, Wentzlaff, and pursued a career in photography after serving in the Navy. He worked for the Sonoma County Council on Aging and retired as a postal worker, settling in Camp Meeker, California. He remained unmarried and passed away on June 13, 2015, at the age of 69 due to a heart attack.
