Frankie Thomas

Starred with both of his parents in his first movie, Wednesday's Child (1934).

Was up for the role of David Copperfield in The Personal History, Adventures, Experience, & Observation of David Copperfield the Younger (1935) for MGM but Louis B. Mayer thought he was not frail enough for the part.

He became most famous for his title role in the television series "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet" (1950). Fifty years after the series ended, he was still making personal appearances as a result of that role.

There were over 100 different products bearing the name of Frankie's space character Tom Corbett during the early 1950s. One product was called Kellogg's Pep, the "Solar Cereal," which had Frankie's picture on the box.

Was buried at his request in his "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet" (1950) costume.

Beat out actor Jack Lemmon for the role of space hero Tom Corbett in 1950.

Did not marry until his late 60s to wife Virginia. She passed away in 1997. She had two children from a prior marriage. He was survived by them and a step-grandson.

He was scheduled to be a special guest at the 2006 Worldcon in Los Angeles (LA Con IV) but died before the convention was held.