#19 The Acting Life with Jimmy Hawkins

Jimmy Hawkins' career is the stuff of Hollywood legend. From his appearance as "Tommy Bailey" in Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life to acting alongside stars like Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Sally Field, Shelly Fabares, Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Rick Nelson, and Elvis Presley, Hawkins reveals the secrets of his success as "America's favorite boyfriend and sidekick". In a career spanning more than three decades, Jimmy became the "go-to" actor who brought unique energy and comedy timing to unforgettable characters that took him from child star to series regular on such classics as Leave It to Beaver, The Donna Reed Show, Annie Oakley,  and The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. This is a conversation you won't forget as Jimmy shares stories of casting calls at MGM and Paramount Studios, and describes the chain of events that led him to co-star with Elvis Presley in Spinout and Girl Happy. You'll hear what it was like to work with both Elvis and Ricky Nelson, Jimmy's "inside secret"to dating Hollywood actresses, and why Jimmy turned down Woody Allen's offer of a major film role. This is one conversation you won't forget...with more to come in Part 2!