Freddie Bartholomew
ActingAbout Freddie Bartholomew
Freddie Bartholomew was an English-American child actor. One of the most famous child actors of all time, he became very popular in 1930s Hollywood films. His most famous starring roles are in Captains Courageous and Little Lord Fauntleroy. He was born in London and for the title role of David Copperfield, he emigrated to the United States in 1934, living there the rest of his life. He became an American citizen in 1943 following World War II military service. Despite his great success and acclaim following David Copperfield, his childhood film stardom was marred by nearly constant legal battles and payouts which eventually took a huge toll on both his finances and his career. In adulthood, after World War II service, his film career dwindled rapidly, and he switched from performing to directing and producing in the medium of television.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Freddie Bartholomew reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 33 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Freddie Bartholomew's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 33% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Freddie Bartholomew remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Freddie Bartholomew Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Freddie Bartholomew's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Freddie Bartholomew.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn | Self (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Hollywood’s Children | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1976 | That's Entertainment, Part II | (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1964 | The Big Parade of Comedy | David Copperfield in 'David Copperfield' (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1951 | St. Benny the Dip | Reverend Wilbur | Flop | Similar → |
| 1947 | Sepia Cinderella | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Town Went Wild | David Conway | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Junior Army | Freddie Hewlett | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | A Yank at Eton | Peter Carlton | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Soaring Stars | Himself | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Cadets on Parade | Austin Shannon | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 4 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 1 | Self (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Naval Academy | Steve Kendall | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Tom Brown's School Days | East | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Swiss Family Robinson | Jack Robinson | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Two Bright Boys | David Harrington | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Spirit of Culver | Bob Randolph | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Listen, Darling | Buzz Mitchell | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hollywood Goes to Town | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Lord Jeff | Geoffrey Braemer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Kidnapped | David Balfour | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Another Romance of Celluloid | Self (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Captains Courageous | Harvey Cheyne | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Hollywood Party | Himself | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Lloyd's of London | Young Jonathan Blake | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Devil Is a Sissy | Claude Pierce | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Little Lord Fauntleroy | Cedric 'Ceddie' Erroll aka Lord Fauntleroy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Dream Comes True | Himself (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Professional Soldier | King Peter II | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Anna Karenina | Sergei | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | David Copperfield | David Copperfield as a Boy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Fascination | Child | Average | Similar → |
Freddie Bartholomew - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Freddie Bartholomew?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Freddie Bartholomew is "The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Freddie Bartholomew acted in?
Freddie Bartholomew has been featured in at least 33 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Freddie Bartholomew?
Other notable films include "Captains Courageous", "Tom Brown's School Days", and "Lloyd's of London".