Tommy Nolan, a talented and adorable child star, was a familiar face on 1950s and 1960s television and film. Born on January 15, 1948, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to a French-Canadian family, Tommy's early life was marked by a passion for dance, which he began studying at the tender age of three.
His family relocated to Los Angeles, where Tommy's acting career took off. He made his television debut at a young age, playing Prince Edward of Wales in a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation starring Sarah Churchill. Tommy's impressive debut was followed by a string of sympathetic young boy roles, often portraying characters with afflictions, such as a crippled youngster on "My Friend Flicka" and a wealthy asthmatic on "Medic".
At the age of 10, Tommy hit his TV peak as Jody, the protagonist of the gentle and non-violent TV western "Buckskin" (1958),starring alongside Sallie Brophy as his widowed mother. Set in the frontier town of Buckskin, Montana, the show was narrated from Jody's perspective, with the young boy sitting on his corral fence and playing his harmonica. Although the series only lasted for one full season, Tommy's popularity led to the creation of comic books featuring his character, and his autograph became highly sought after at parades, conventions, and other public events.
Following the conclusion of "Buckskin", Tommy continued to appear in various television shows, including "Rawhide", "The Rifleman", "Gunsmoke", and "Wagon Train", as well as recurring roles on "Lassie". However, as he entered his awkward teenage years, Tommy struggled to find another regular series that could maintain his momentum. He eventually transitioned to writing, penning articles for publications such as "Playboy", the "Los Angeles Times", and the "Village Voice". Today, Tommy continues to live in the San Fernando Valley area, where he has resided for many years.
