Former child star known for The Yearling dies at 90

Former child star known for The Yearling dies at 90


Actor and former child star Claude Jarman Jr. has died at the age of 90.

His wife Katie confirmed the sad news to The Hollywood Reporter and said he died in his sleep of natural causes.

The late star was known for the 1946 classic film, The Yearling, where a young boy adopts a baby deer.

The film won a number of Academy Awards while Jarman Jr. won an Academy Juvenile Award; a special honorary Academy Award for child stars.

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Actor and former child star Claude Jarman Jr. has died at the age of 90. (Getty Images for TCM)

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Directed by Clarence Brown, The Yearling also starred Jane Wyman and Gregory Peck.

Jarman Jr. portrayed the character Jody Baxter who adopts the young deer.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the actor died at his home in California and will be buried in Nashville.

Before his death, in 2018, Jarman Jr. released the book, My Life and the Final Days of Hollywood, which recalled his life as a child star to actor in the golden age of Hollywood.

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Fans were left shocked by the news of his death, with many praising his performance in The Yearling.

Jarman Jr. was also known for works including 1950’s Rio Grande and 1949’s Rough shod.

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Claude Jarman Jr.
The late star was known for the 1946 classic film, The Yearling, where a young boy adopts a baby deer. (Warner Bros. Rewind/YouTube / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loews Cineplex Entertainment)

Other credits to his name included 1947’s High Barbaree and 1950s The Outriders.

His last acting credit, according to IMDb was in 1979.

In the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, he turned to TV series including Centennial.

Ahead of scoring the coveted part in The Yearlinghe was discovered and was soon told to pack his bags for Hollywood.

He reportedly told Film Noir Foundation in 2016: ‘Next thing, they called three days later and said, “Get ready to leave for Hollywood in a week.”

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

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