Martin Spellman IV (October 8, 1925 â€" May 6, 2020) was an American
child actor active in films during the 1930s and 1940s.Martin Spellman
IV was born in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa. After his family moved to
California, at the age of 9 he first entered the MGM studios not as a
prospective actor but as a newsboy.He became such a familiar figure at
MGM that for Christmas 1937, they decided to give him a very special
Christmas present. Clark Gable invited him to work as an extra for a
few days on the film Test Pilot where he had an uncredited role. After
that, he played Skinny in the 1938 film Boys Town, starring Spencer
Tracy and Mickey Rooney. In 1939, he co-starred in Streets of New York
with Jackie Cooper. The following year he had another leading role in
Son of the Navy with Jean Parker and James Dunn.Spellman's film career
ended in 1941. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II. Returning to civilian life, he spent 27 years in
the business world, and then switched to automobile finance and
insurance.
child actor active in films during the 1930s and 1940s.Martin Spellman
IV was born in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa. After his family moved to
California, at the age of 9 he first entered the MGM studios not as a
prospective actor but as a newsboy.He became such a familiar figure at
MGM that for Christmas 1937, they decided to give him a very special
Christmas present. Clark Gable invited him to work as an extra for a
few days on the film Test Pilot where he had an uncredited role. After
that, he played Skinny in the 1938 film Boys Town, starring Spencer
Tracy and Mickey Rooney. In 1939, he co-starred in Streets of New York
with Jackie Cooper. The following year he had another leading role in
Son of the Navy with Jean Parker and James Dunn.Spellman's film career
ended in 1941. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II. Returning to civilian life, he spent 27 years in
the business world, and then switched to automobile finance and
insurance.
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