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Martin Spellman

1925 – 2020

American child actor

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About Martin Spellman

Lived 1925 – 2020 (aged 94). Martin Spellman was an American actor.

Martin Spellman IV (October 8, 1925 – May 6, 2020) was an American child actor active in films during the 1930s and 1940s.

Career Martin Spellman IV was born in 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa. After his family moved to California, at the age of 9 he first entered the MGM studios not as a prospective actor but as a newsboy.

Spellman became such a familiar figure at MGM that for Christmas 1937, they decided to give him a very special Christmas present. Clark Gable invited him to work as an extra for a few days on the film Test Pilot where he had an uncredited role. After that, he played Skinny in the 1938 film Boys Town, starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. In 1939, he co-starred in Streets of New York with Jackie Cooper. The following year he had another leading role in Son of the Navy with Jean Parker and James Dunn.

Spellman's film career ended in 1941. He then enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Returning to civilian life, he spent 27 years in the business world, and then switched to automobile finance and insurance.

Spellman died in Vancouver, Washington in May, 2020, at the age of 94.

Filmography

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
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Also known as
Martin Spellman IV

People in Martin Spellman's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Martin Spellman's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Martin Spellman?

American child actor (1925-2020)

When was Martin Spellman born?

Martin Spellman was born on 8 October 1925 in Des Moines.

When did Martin Spellman die?

Martin Spellman died on 6 May 2020 in Vancouver.

What was Martin Spellman's occupation?

Martin Spellman was an actor.

What nationality was Martin Spellman?

Martin Spellman was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Martin Spellman

· Wikidata: Q18211517

· DBpedia: Martin Spellman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Martin Spellman. https://biography.guide/martin-spellman/

MLA: "Martin Spellman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/martin-spellman/.

Chicago: "Martin Spellman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/martin-spellman/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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