Davey Lee

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Davey Lee (actually David Lea , born December 29, 1924 or January 5, 1925 in Hollywood , † June 17, 2008 in Los Angeles ) was an American child actor .

Life

Davy Lee was a younger brother of child star Frankie Lee . He became known, among other things, for the song Sonny Boy in the interpretation of Al Jolson : He had his first role in the film The Singing Fool , in which he played Jolson's three-year-old son. The nickname "Sonny Boy", which he acquired as a result, remained associated with him for the rest of his life. The song Sonny Boy is often regarded as the first millionaire hit; The success of the film The Singing Fool only surpassed Gone with the Wind .

Davey Lee then appeared with Edward Everett Horton and Betty Bronson in the now- lost film Sonny Boy , a marriage drama. He then appeared in Frozen River , the first Rin-Tin-Tin film . He got himself a bite from the animal movie star.

Again with Al Jolson, Lee directed the film Say It With Songs in 1929 as "Little Pal" . In the same year, records were also produced with Davey Lee, which came under the title Sonny Boy's Bear Story on the market. The Bear Story , a monologue with vocals and orchestral accompaniment, sold very well.

Also in 1929 Davey Lee starred in the film Skin Deep and made other records. However, copies of I've Lost My Dog and Davey and His Tog Tatters , which were produced at Brunswick , do not appear to have survived. He had his last film role in 1930 in The Squealer .

Davey Lee, who made $ 3,000 a week in 1930, ended his film career at the age of six. Health reasons may have played a role; maybe his mother had planned a more lucrative vaudeville career for her son, but it didn't happen. A photo of Davey Lee with Al Jolson is known from later years, which shows him as a young man of about 24 years on Jolson's knees, as once in a film scene from his childhood years. However, nothing is known about further contacts between Jolson and Lee after his time as a child star. Lee later appeared in plays and at events of the International Al Jolson Society, but otherwise led a life beyond the public. After suffering a stroke , he lived in a nursing home for a few years.

Web links

Commons : Davey Lee  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Boysoloist
personal data
SURNAME Lee, Davey
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Lea, David (real name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American child actor
DATE OF BIRTH December 29, 1924 or January 5, 1925
PLACE OF BIRTH Hollywood
DATE OF DEATH June 17, 2008
Place of death los Angeles