Jimmy Hawkins

Jimmy Hawkins (born November 13, 1941^[1]) is an American former actor, producer and writer. He is best-known for his TV roles in shows like Annie Oakley, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Leave It to Beaver, Petticoat Junction, and The Donna Reed Show; and as Tommy Bailey, son of George Bailey in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life.

Hawkins in 2021 at the 75th anniversary festival for It's a Wonderful Life in Seneca Falls, NY.

Jimmy Hawkins
Born	(1941-11-13) November 13, 1941 (age 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations	Actor producer director
Known for	It's a Wonderful Life

Early life and career

Born on November 13, 1941 in Los Angeles, California,^[2] Hawkins was the middle child of three born to Elizabeth K., née Unholz, and Thomas J. Hawkins,^[3] and the grandson of German-born prizefighter and onetime Keystone Cop, Rudy Unholz.^[2][4] Each of Hawkins' siblings—Thomas Jr., the eldest, and Susan, the youngest—was also a child actor of film and/or television, the former billed as either Tim, Timmy, or Timmie,^[2][5] and the latter as either Susan or Susie.^[6][7] Hawkins attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, participating in sports activities, and he was a leader of the Junior Achievement group in Burbank.^[8]

In addition to Hawkins's acting, he made personal appearances that featured his roping and trick riding.^[9]

Personal life

Hawkins is the author of five books about the film It's a Wonderful Life, served on The Jimmy Stewart Museum Advisory Board, and for 20 years served on the board of directors of the Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts.^[10]

In celebration of the Frank Capra film, Hawkins and other cast members appear annually at the "It's A Wonderful Life Festival" in Seneca Falls, New York, the town thought to be the inspiration for the movie's setting of Bedford Falls.^[11]

Filmography (selection)

• It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Tommy Bailey
• The Ruggles (1949-1952) (TV series, 137 episodes) as Donald Ruggles
• Annie Oakley (1954-1957) (TV series, 81 episodes) as Tagg Oakley
• Dennis The Menace (1961) (TV series) (Season 2 Episode 33: "Dennis' Newspaper") as Chuck Long
• Leave It to Beaver (1961) (TV series) (Season 4 Episode 25: "Wally and Dudley") as Dudley McMillan
• Bringing Up Buddy (1961) (TV series, 3 episodes)
  • (Season 1 Episode 17: "The Education of Nicky Marlo") as Fennimore
  • (Season 1 Episode 24: "Buddy and Fennimore") as Fennimore Cooper
  • (Season 1 Episode 34: "Buddy and the Teenager")
• Ichabod and Me (1961-1962) (TV series, 11 episodes) as Jonathan Baylor
• Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1962) (Season 7 Episode 15: "The Door Without a Key") as Dewey Sims
• My Three Sons (1963) (TV series)
  • (Season 3 Episode 26: "High on the Hog") as George
  • (Season 4 Episode 4: "Dear Robbie") as John Carter
• The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1962-1964) (TV series, 6 episodes) as Jimmy
• The Fugitive (1963) (TV series) (Season 1 Episode 8: "See Hollywood and Die") as Carl Emery
• Girl Happy (1965) as Doc
• The Donna Reed Show (1958-1965) (TV series, 20 episodes)
• Petticoat Junction (1963-1967) (TV series, 9 episodes)
• Spinout (1966) as Larry
• Gidget (1966) (TV series) (Season 1 Episode 19: "Gidget's Career") as Paul