Biography for
Mary Badham More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Spouse

Trivia

Younger sister (by 14 years) of director John Badham.

For a while, she was the youngest nominee for the Best Supporting Actress award (for To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)) at the age of ten. Then nine-year-old 'Tatum O'Neal (I)' won for her role on Paper Moon (1973) and now holds the record.

Remained friends with Gregory Peck after the filming of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) and still called him Atticus. after Peck's character in the film). Keeps in touch with Phillip Alford (her screen brother, "Jem") and Brock Peters ("Tom Robinson", the accused).

Her father was a retired army officer who, by the time of her birth, had become president of Bessemer Steel Co. Her English-born mother had been an actress before her marriage.

Second best-known role, after To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), is as Sport Sharewood in the classic "Twilight Zone" (1959) episode "The Bewitchin' Pool," written by Earl Hamner Jr. ("The Waltons" (1971)), and first aired in 1964.

After 39 years, Mary came out of retirement to play an offbeat cameo opposite Keith Carradine at the urging of actor/writer/director Cameron Watson for his film Our Very Own (2005). Watson stated he would not accept any other actress for the part. Mary has since indicated that she won't close the door on other acting assignments that might come her way. Watson managed to track Mary down in Monroeville, Alabama, where she had been invited to attend a stage version of "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Lost the "supporting actress" Oscar to another child actress: Patty Duke for The Miracle Worker (1962).

Still keeps in touch with fellow To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) co-star Phillip Alford. Had remained close to Gregory Peck until his death in 2003 and Brock Peters until his death in 2005.

At present she is an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. She also travels around the world recalling her wonderful experiences making To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) while expounding on the book's messages of tolerance and compassion.

Works as an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Has recently agreed to do movies on a very limited basis, depending on whether she likes the script and crew.

Had no acting experience prior to getting a role in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). She was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Attended the 2006 "Twilight Zone" Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, August 12-13, 2006.

According to Sondra Locke's autobiography "The Good, the Bad and the Very Ugly", Mary auditioned for the role of Mick in The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968), the part eventually played by Locke.

Attended the 2007 "Twilight" Zone Convention at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, August 4-5, 2007.

Interviewed in "Growing Up on the Set: Interviews with 39 Former Child Actors of Classic Film and Television" by Tom Goldrup and Jim Goldrup (McFarland, 2002).

Personal Quotes

c. 1986: "My brother John tells me the movie profession has changed completely and that I should stay where I am. He insists that I'd have to study acting, but I was told never to take lessons - that I was an instinctive actress. Most of the performances I see on TV and in movies are so self-conscious and overacted. I would think a natural actress would be welcome.

Where Are They Now

(1997) Retired from acting and now lives near Richmond, Virginia. She is married (since circa 1975) to a school teacher and spends most of her time raising her two children and working.