David Holt (actor)

David Jack Holt was an American actor initially groomed at the age of seven to be the male Shirley Temple. After being let down by Will Rogers, stress, polio, and resentment from his father precipitated his downfall, which culminated in being reduced to starring in the cheap drugsscare melodrama She Shoulda Said No, at the age of 22. By the time he was 25, no acting parts were available for him and he eventually turned to songwriting, where he had some moderate success before his death in 2003 at the age of 76.

Holt was born on August 14, 1927 in Jacksonville, Florida. Four years later, his sister Betty was born, who also became an actor. At a young age, Holts dancing skills so impressed the actor and wit Will Rogers that Rogers purportedly told Holts mother that if ever they were in Hollywood they should contact him and he would get young David into pictures. Relying on this understanding, Holts father promptly quit his job with Ford Motors. Intent on holding Rogers to his promise, the Holt family drove to California. Despite their best efforts, Rogers refused even to see them.

Source: Wikipedia