How Brandon deWilde, a Child Star of Hollywood, Met a Tragic End

^{Who was Brandon deWilde?}

^{Brandon deWilde was an American actor who rose to fame as a child star in the 1950s. He was born on April 9, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, to a theatrical family. He made his Broadway debut at the age of seven in The Member of the Wedding, a play by Carson McCullers. He won a Donaldson Award for his performance, becoming the youngest actor to win one. He also starred in the film adaptation of the play, directed by Fred Zinnemann, for which he won a Golden Globe Award}

^{DeWilde is best known for his role as Joey Starrett, the young boy who idolizes the mysterious gunman Shane, in the 1953 Western film Shane, directed by George Stevens. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance, becoming the youngest nominee at the time in a competitive category. He also starred in his own television series, Jamie, which aired in 1953 and 1954. He continued to act in stage, film, and television roles into adulthood, appearing in movies such as Blue Denim, Hud, and In Harm’s Way}

^{How did Brandon deWilde die?}

^{Brandon deWilde died on July 6, 1972, at the age of 30, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident in the Denver suburb of Lakewood, Colorado. He was driving a camper van that went off the roadway, struck a guardrail, and then a parked truck. DeWilde was alone in his vehicle and not wearing a seatbelt. His camper rolled onto its side and pinned him into the wreckage. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead}

^{The accident occurred while deWilde was on his way to a performance of Butterflies Are Free, a play by Leonard Gershe, at the Denver Theatre Center. He had been cast as the lead role of Don Baker, a blind man who falls in love with a free-spirited woman. He had married his second wife, Janice Gero, just three months before his death. He had a son, Jesse, from his first marriage to Susan Maw}

^{What was Brandon deWilde’s legacy?}

^{Brandon deWilde’s death shocked and saddened his fans and colleagues, who remembered him as a talented and charming actor who had a promising career ahead of him. He was buried at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Wyandanch, New York. His grave is marked by a simple stone with his name and dates}

^{DeWilde’s films and television shows have been preserved and are still available for viewing. His performance as Joey in Shane is considered one of the most memorable and iconic child roles in cinema history. His final words in the film, “Shane! Come back!”, have been referenced and parodied in various media. He has also been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an induction into the Western Performers Hall of Fame}

^{Brandon deWilde was a bright star of Hollywood who left a lasting impression on the audiences and the industry. His tragic death cut short his life and career, but his legacy lives on through his work and his memory}