Child stars often face harsh realities as they age. The public doesn’t find them as cute, roles stop coming, and life can become cruel. For every talented child actor that goes on to a successful career as an adult like Shirley Temple, Jodie Foster, and Elizabeth Taylor, there are depressing stories of those who come to tragic ends, like Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer and Bobby Driscoll. Philippe de Lacy rode the rollercoaster of fame from popular juvenile performer to struggling young actor and finally to success behind the scenes as a director and producer in the heyday of Cinerama.

De Lacy landed his first role at the tender age of 3, when he appeared onstage in “The Riddle Woman” with Geraldine Farrar, after a French woman and friend of Farrar noticed him at a party and brought him to the actress’ attention. The lad soon landed roles in topnotch films, appearing with Alla Nazimova in “The Doll’s House” in 1922, playing Mary Pickford’s younger brother in the 1923 film “Rosita,” and acting as Michael Darling in Paramount’s wonderful 1924 movie “Peter Pan.” His tender looks and expressive acting won him a large following. An ad in the April 1, 1925 Los Angeles Times called him “a star of tomorrow.”

Photo: A card of Philippe de Lacy listed on EBay as Buy It Now for $4.29.

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