To tell the story of Robert L. Crawford Jr., let go back to nostalgia period that was the America of television in the specifically the westerns and child stars. Crawford was born on May 13, 1944, in Quantico, Virginia, and would grow up to be one of the most familiar young faces on television in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Early Life
Entering the show business world very early in his childhood as Robert Crawford Jr., only son of Lona MacLeod, a native of Nova Scotia and William Crawford of Belfast, Ireland, he had his first onstage experience as a child.
His childhood was quite unordinary as he was more often on sound stages than on playing grounds taking acting classes. That is the reality in Los Angeles, where his family relocated in search of entertainment-related job vacancies, and the city’s energy overwhelmed him.
Crawford had a positively childhood which must have been overshadowed by his parents’ strict and wise nurturing. The childhood of the young actor can be described as a combination of his first attempts at consistent acting engagements and attempts at leading a somewhat normal childhood before the world of show business.
Career
Robert Crawford Jr. got his first big chance when hired as Andy Sherman on the popular western television series called “Laramie” (1959-1963). Audiences were charmed by the funny portrayal of the younger brother to John Smith’s character and demonstrated his ability to act.
This role could get him an Emmy nomination while he was 13 thus one of youngest performers to be nominated for an Emmy at that time. In addition to “Laramie” Crawford had regular roles in other television shows of the time such as “The Lone Ranger”, “The Adventures of Rin Tin”, and “Mr. Novak”.
Even with age, Crawford was able to remain involved with television as many child actors can attest that transition to more mature roles can be hard. However, he had already entrenched himself in TV history, and more so in western programs which characterized most early television shows.
About Parents: Robert Crawford and Betty Megerlin
Any story about Robert L. Crawford Jr cannot be complete without its mention of his parents who must have greatly influenced his life and career. Robert Crawford Sr., had a job in film editing in Hollywood, which gave a young Robert not only an idea of how things worked in the movie business. Betty Megerlin was credited for the hardworking woman, who devoted her time to protect her son from the terrible industry that young talents face most.
Combined, Robert and Betty ensured their son found solace in an otherwise turbulent childhood career while serving as a child actor in Hollywood. Of course, entertainment did not end with Robert Jr., another sibling his older brother Johnny Crawford came to fame as a child star of the uber-western show, “The Rifleman.”
This social connection in the entertainment industry enhanced a great bond between them and proved the family’s potential in performing.
