Jimmy Hawkins' illustrious career in Hollywood began with his portrayal of the son of iconic movie stars from the 1940s, including Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Greer Garson, Lana Turner, and Jessica Tandy. This distinction was further solidified when he played the role of Tommy Bailey, the son of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, in the timeless Frank Capra classic "It's a Wonderful Life".
In television, Hawkins made a name for himself with starring roles in several notable series. He played Donald Ruggles in the early family sitcom "The Charlie Ruggles Show" on ABC from 1949 to 1952, and later took on the character of Tagg Oakley in the Emmy-nominated "Annie Oakley" series on CBS from 1953 to 1958. He also reunited with Donna Reed to play the role of Scotty, Shelley Fabares' boyfriend, in the popular series "The Donna Reed Show" on ABC from 1958 to 1966.
Hawkins' impressive television credits also include appearances on "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet", "Petticoat Junction", "Ichabod and Me", "Leave It To Beaver", "Dennis The Menace", "Gidget", "My Three Sons", "Hitchcock Presents", "Red Skelton", and "Lux Video Theatre", among others.
In addition to his television work, Hawkins co-starred alongside Elvis Presley in two MGM musicals, "Girl Happy" and "Spinout". He was also invited by the USO and Department of Defense to entertain troops in Vietnam in 1968.
As a producer, Hawkins has been involved in a wide range of projects, including the major motion picture "Evel Knievel", the ABC Theatre special "Don't Look Back: The Satchel Paige Story", which won the NAACP Image Award, and the NBC movie of the week "Scouts Honor", starring Gary Coleman. He has also produced several other television specials and films, including "A Time For Miracles", the story of Mother Seton, and "Smart Cookies", which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts.
Hawkins has been a dedicated philanthropist, helping to raise millions of dollars for various charities over the years. He is also the author of five books based on "It's a Wonderful Life" and has served on the Advisory Board of the Jimmy Stewart Museum and the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts. A member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for over 50 years, Hawkins continues to be an active and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
