Phillip Alford

Phillip Alford (born September 11, 1948) is a former American actor best known for his role as Jem Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird.

Phillip Alford
Philip Alford in To Kill a Mockingbird
Born (1948-09-11) September 11, 1948
Gadsden, Alabama, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1962–1972
Spouse(s)Carol Sue Moore (divorced; 2 children)

Career

Alford appeared in three productions with Birmingham's Town and Gown Civic Theatre, whose director called up Alford's mother to see if her son was interested in auditioning for the part of Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird.[1] Initially Alford had refused, but agreed to audition under the condition that he would miss half a day of school.[1] As one of the three finalists, he was called to New York City for a screen test several weeks later[1] and won the role of Jem Finch.

During the filming, his parents drove to Hollywood to be with him, and his sister became the stand-in actress for Mary Badham, who played Jem's sister, Scout, in the film. He and Badham were constantly bickering and at odds with each other during most of the shoot; at one time after their worst argument, he had planned mischief against her.[1]

Alford's other acting credits include: Bristle Face (1964) (TV); the role of "Boy" in the Jimmy Stewart classic Shenandoah (1965); The Intruders (1970) (TV); and Fair Play (1972) (TV).

Personal life

Phillip Alford is a businessman in Grenada, Mississippi and stays out of the limelight. He followed his father into the construction business.[2] Alford is married and has two children.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1962To Kill a MockingbirdJem FinchFilm debut
1963The Lloyd Bridges ShowBoford Tyree1 episode, The Tyrees of Capitol Hill
1964The Magical World of DisneyJace Landers2 episodes, Bristle Face
1965ShenandoahBoy Anderson
1969CBS PlayhouseHugh1 episode Appalachian Autumn
1970The VirginianJoe Thurman1 episode, A Time of Terror
The IntrudersHarold GilmanTV Movie
1972Fair PlayTeddyTV Movie, Final film

References
  1. Fearful Symmetry: The Making of To Kill a Mockingbird (DVD). Universal Studios. 1998.
  2. "Rivalry and racism: What really happened behind the scenes of 'Mockingbird", New York Post

Further reading
  • Goldrup, Tom and Jim (2002). Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Film and Television. McFarland & Co. p. 13–19. ISBN 1476613702.
  • Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell, p. 276.
  • Dye, David (1988). Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., p. 4.
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