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Betsy Hale was one of the Sixties’ most enthralling child stars
The often-forgotten child star wowed in Westerns
“The Kite” remains a memorable Gunsmoke episode largely because of the child star at its center: Betsy Hale.
In the episode, Hale played Letty, a young girl whom Festus finds hiding on the prairie after she watches her mother get brutally murdered by a complete stranger.
Throughout the episode, viewers watch as Letty wanders Dodge, knowing at any moment she may recognize the murderer among those dismounting their horses or tossing back drinks at the saloon.
For Hale, 1964 was the most sensational time in her short career.
Not only did she feature prominently on Gunsmoke, but also in episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Ben Casey and Wagon Train.
Hale started acting at the age of 6, snagging a small part at 7 as a little girl in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. From there, she featured steadily, taking small roles through the early Sixties, appearing on TV more than 50 times before she turned 11.
She told the Hartford Courant in 1964 how she got interested in acting:
“When I was little, I used dolls to act out plays, taking all parts myself. My parents are both actors and when they asked me if I wanted to get into the business, I told them that I did.”
Supporting their daughters’ dreams, Hale’s parents got her an agent and then Betsy said she had to push herself not to feel “impatient” when trying to land roles.
Her patience paid off. She wowed on Westerns like Have Gun – Will Travel, drew laughs on sitcoms like My Three Sons and appeared twice on Perry Mason.
By 1964, newspaper critics described her a serious child star who was better than most, predicting big things for the tween.
However, the child star promptly shut down her career in 1965, giving her final appearance in an episode of Gomer Pyle: USMC where she got to ride in the very same truck that the Darlings first rode into Mayberry.
After sharing the screen with Jim Nabors and Dabs Greer, Hale retired from acting in 1965, never appearing on TV again.
Not much is known about Hale after she stopped acting.
However, we can probably assume that accepted her fate of not becoming a big star and found a new career to love, based on how open-minded she was as a child star just starting out:
“I don’t want to become a big star unless it just happens,” Hale said. “I’m interested in doing some writing, and I also want to train animals. Train them and love them, that is.”
30 Comments
https://www.backstage.com/u/elizabeth-hale-garland/
Laura Mae Caldwell
- Home on the Range (1965) ... Laura Mae Caldwell She is Still Living!
1 Whatever Happened To child
actress Betsy Hale!
Whatever Happened To child actor
Joey Scott who played Bengie a couple of times on Leave It To Beaver?
Whatever Happened To Rory Stevens
Who played Chuckie Murdock on
Leave It To Beaver?
And Rusty Stevens (Larry MONDELLO) are real life brothers .
" Not much is known about Hale after she stopped acting," applies as well to Joey Scott and
Rory Stevens. Probably as those actors don't wish their personal life outside of acting publicized. Good for them.
actors are living a happy life
when they retired from being
actors out of the limelight.
Good luck to them in their
Now private lives away from
acting.
I do love that episode that she was in. With Gomer shuttling the family around trying to find them a place to stay while their truck gets fixed.
My father, born and died as a writer, absolutely loved Westerns. We watched every single one, no lie. And it wasn't until being an adult that my appreciation is equal to his own. I hope Betsy found peace and happiness in her life, in gratitude for what she contributed to the screen.
Thank you for this story, MeTV Staff Writers!
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The one deemed most likely is this one below. Which you will not get much info since she was a very quiet person about her personal affairs. She is 69 if still living as this article suggests. If one can find out more detail it would be nice.
https://celebseek.com/betsy-hale-wikipedia-bio-age-husband
But even in anonymity, I hope she might be reading this to know that memorable classic TV actors are always appreciated. And the best ones, never forgotten. I prefer to think of them as who they were. Unless very happy endings can be assured.
Isn't that like how most of us want to be remembered; as in being the best of who we are!!
https://www.backstage.com/u/elizabeth-hale-garland/
I'm Nobody! Who are you?
Are you – Nobody – too?
Then there's a pair of us!
Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!
How dreary – to be – Somebody!
How public – like a Frog –
To tell one's name – the livelong June –
To an admiring Bog!
The problem isn’t so much the recognition factor. And am not so sure people should be forced into living under a rock. The question is whether what they bargained for, is a fair enough price to be paid. A subjective call. Because the craft of being a successful actor can’t be achieved without identity. Some crave it. While others ungratefully turn their back on it once achieved. All depending on their motivation.
I wrote a post once regarding the experience of one who’s privacy was robbed, because fans never saw it that way. The problem isn’t in the hands of those inconvenienced. But regarding any profession, are the people who simply can’t respect boundaries. Is it human nature, or a life lesson, hard to tell. 😉
As far as celebrities go , some are probably motivated by 💲💲, others the fame or simply they truly enjoy the medium. As always your view and comments are appreciated.