Philip Hurlic

Philip Hurlic
Born
Philip Raymond Hurlic

(1927-12-20)December 20, 1927
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 7, 2014(2014-07-07) (aged 86)
Compton, California, U.S.
OccupationChild actor
Years active1932-1942

Philip Raymond Hurlic (December 20, 1927 – July 7, 2014) was an American child actor.

Biography

Hurlic appeared in a number of films in the 1930s and early 1940s. Hurlic's income from his film work was used to support his East Los Angeles family.[1] Hurlic's earliest roles were as a toddler in the Baby Burlesks series, which starred a pre-fame Shirley Temple. His largest roles in film include Little Jim in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), Verman Diggs in the Penrod films, and Zeke in Zenobia (1939), in which the 12 year old played one of the earliest positive roles for a Black male when he recited the Declaration of Independence from memory at the behest of co-star Oliver Hardy. He also appeared in a number of Our Gang comedies alongside another child actor from his neighborhood, Billie Thomas (Buckwheat).[1][2]

He retired from film business in 1942 after 30 films. According to Hurlic's daughter Zee, Hurlic died peacefully on July 7, 2014, surrounded by his family.[3]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1935 Helldorado Sam Ed uncredited
1936 Hearts Divided Pippin
1936 The Green Pastures Carlisle Randall uncredited
1936 College Holiday Black Baby Cupid uncredited
1937 Penrod and Sam Verman Diggs
1937 Wings over Honolulu Robert Lee uncredited
1937 Nothing Sacred One of Walker's Kids uncredited
1938 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Little Jim
1938 Penrod and His Twin Brother Vermin
1938 Jezebel Erronens uncredited
1938 Feed 'em and Weep Our Gang Member short
1938 Penrod's Double Trouble Verman
1938 Stablemates Black Boy Bringing Uniform uncredited
1939 Zenobia Zeke
1939 Cousin Wilbur Buckwheat's Friend short
1939 The Sun Never Sets Tuppence - Native Boy uncredited
1939 Chicken Wagon Family Black Boy uncredited
1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Boy Ranger uncredited
1940 Young Tom Edison Black Boy at Tree uncredited
1941 Father's Son Vestibule Pullman Montgomery uncredited
1941 Golden Hoofs Mose
1942 Scattergood Rides High Toby
1942 Tales of Manhattan Jeff uncredited

References

  1. ^ a b Bogle, Donald (2006). Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood. Random House Digital. p. 117. ISBN 0-345-45419-7.
  2. ^ Demoss, Robert (2008-11-09). "The Lucky Corner: Feed 'Em and Weep". Retrieved 2012-02-22.
  3. ^ "Boot Hill: RIP Philip Hurlic". Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-25.