When I was 11 years old, in my school folder I had a small, black and white printed out photo of Bobby Driscoll that I kept taped in there for 2 years. I had just finished my school’s production of Peter Pan, as I played Captain Hook, and I wanted to know who the face and voice behind Peter was in the original film. I stumbled upon Bobby, fell completely enamored in him, and wanted to see him everyday. Having the real Peter around made everything feel comfortable.

This is the photo I kept in my folder:

Bobby’s Background

Bobby’s story is nothing close to the Disney magic that we’d all assume it was like, moreso the second half of his life that is. Bobby was born March 3rd, 1937 in Iowa. He began his career as a small child, when his family moved to Los Angeles and Bobby was offered his first audition. He landed his debut role in “Lost Angels”, and went on to to do many more films at only 7 years old in 1944.

Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Driscoll

Disney Pioneer

Song of the South was released in 1946, and starred Bobby and Luana Patten, whom were the very first actors to ever be under contract at Disney Studios. Walt saw something wondrous in him, and he was the perfect little boy to play many roles that Walt had envisioned. Much like Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber, best known for playing Jane and Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, Luana and Bobby were a dream team and starred together in another film together called So Dear to My Heart. He went on to take on other roles at other studios, but came back to star in Melody Time in 1948 and Treasure Island in 1950, in which he played Jim Hawkins. This was the beginning of a huge chapter in his life, good and bad.

Image from: https://classiccinemacorner.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/bobby-driscoll-disneys-first-fallen-child-star/

All it Takes is Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust

Bobby’s most notable role of all time, was Peter Pan in 1953. Although he was approaching his teen years, he was the perfect fit for Peter in Walt’s eyes, as Peter was also around the same age. Not only was Bobby Peter’s voice actor, but he was also the reference model for him. He could move quickly and swiftly, carried Peter’s boyish charm, and was already very familiar with the Disney production process. Bobby had many qualities that matched Peter, which in my opinion makes him the closest thing to Peter Pan we could ever get to. Peter Pan is fictional, but he lives on in all of our childhood hearts and means something to a whole generation of adults. The thought of having a tangible being that emulates the same spirit Peter did makes me feel warm inside.

He was walking a fine line between still being a likeable little boy, and an angsty teenager with mischief behind his eyes. Despite Peter Pan being his most successful role of all time, his career quickly declined after this experience, because he started to outgrow the company.

Second Star to the Right and Straight on til… where?

Not long after his debut as Peter, he was dropped from his contract at Disney and left jobless. Although of course I am a huge Disney fan, I can’t say the decisions they made were always the best or most ethical. Bobby could no longer play the cute and charming little boy, as he was growing up and growing out of his roles. He moved schools, started going by Robert, and started a new life. A new life that was heavily influenced by drugs.

He did pick up a few more roles here and there, but it was hard for him to get work because he was eternally labeled as a Disney kid. That’s something I’ve heard about from a lot of Disney actors, that once they’re in it, it’s hard to escape it. For some it was a good thing, but for some like Bobby, it wasn’t working out in his favor.

Image from: https://journeysinclassicfilm.com/2018/03/30/boulevard-of-broken-stars-an-ode-to-bobby-driscoll/

Bobby’s life began to go downhill, as the constant use of drugs did not set him on the right path. He did get married, divorced, then remarried to the same girl and had children with her, only to divorce again. He went to rehab, was charged with assaults, while trying to stay on track with his acting career. He dove into the art scene in New York to heal himself in 1965, but eventually ended up dying in an apartment in 1968 with no penny to his name. He wasn’t identified right away, but after his mother came looking for him months later, she found out that he had died and already been buried in an unmarked grave. Bobby was not mentioned again by Disney until the 1970s when they rereleased Song of the South. Although Bobby is not an official Disney Legend, people have gone around with petitions trying to get his name in there and for him to be recognized more. To me, he is one.

Bobby Driscoll, Forever Captain of the Jolly Roger

Ships played a big role in Driscoll’s life from beginning to end. During his very first audition as mentioned above, his curiosity about a ship is what eventually made him land that role. He walked up to the director and asked where the water was for the ship to sail (but of course, it was merely a prop ship). The director loved his genuine curiosity, and gave him the role.

Bobby of course became even more familiar with ships in his role as Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, and then as Peter, as most of the movie takes place upon the Jolly Roger, Captain Hook’s ship. Even though it was just him being a reference for Peter, he had to stand on part of ships, sword fight Hook, and more.

He did join Disney again after being laid off for the opening of Disneyland in July 1955, atop of the Jolly Roger with Bob Cummings. One thing that Walt always stood by was sticking to his classics, and sticking to originals. There shouldn’t just be any actor dressed as Peter for the opening of the ship, but the real inspiration, and real Peter Pan instead.

Pan Lives On

Although Bobby’s life ended in complete tragedy, starting with being laid off by Disney, he is permanently embedded in the lives and hearts of millions of people who grew up on his movies and agree with me that he is the most tangible Peter Pan to ever live. He was unfairly treated, coming from such a high off of many successes with the company just to be dropped when he hit puberty. It teaches us a lot about the film industry and trust, and where the line is between work and family. It also shows us that those in entertainment are not always as they seem, just like the Robin Williams story. Bobby was one of the first “fallen” child stars, and his story is so fascinating to me. A unique boy, a unique life, a unique story. It shows Bobby didn’t want to grow up too, just like Peter.