RIP TIM CONSIDINE

1940-2022

Tim Considine was born into a theatrical family. His father John Considine Jr. was a famous film producer. His maternal grandfather was Alex Pantages, founder of the Pantages Theatre chain. 

His paternal grandfather was vaudeville impresario John W. Considine. 

He made his screen debut at age 12 in the film The Clown (1953) starring Red Buttons.  In addition to Buttons, who frequently was seen on screen with Lucille Ball, the film also featured such Desilu talent as Philip Ober, Shirley Mitchell and Frank Nelson. 

He made his television debut that same year in an episode of the short-lived series “I’m the Law” starring George Raft. 

In 1955 he began his association with Disney appearing as Spin in “The Adventures of Spin and Marty”. 

On “Spin and Marty” Considine played opposite David Stollery as Marty and Sammy Ogg as Joe, who “I Love Lucy” fans will remember as the rambunctious Hudson Twins in “The Amateur Hour” (ILL S1;E14).

Disney also cast him as Frank Hardy in their two series of “The Hardy Boys” (1956 & 1957) as well as in Annette Funicello’s eponymous series (again with David Stollery) which featured Lucille Ball’s friend Mary Wickes. 

In 1960 he was cast as Fred MacMurray’s son, Mike, on “My Three Sons” which was filmed on the Desilu lot. He had first worked with MacMurray on Disney’s The Shaggy Dog the previous year. He left the series after the 1964-1965 season following an argument with the producer about his desire to direct. His character was written out by having him marry his girlfriend and moving to Arizona. Coincidentally, his last episode was also the first in color, and the first to be aired on CBS, where “The Lucy Show” was a number one hit. For several years he played opposite William Frawley (Fred Mertz) as Uncle Bub. Frawley left the series for health reasons nine months before Considine’s final episode. 

For more about Desilu’s influence on “My Three Sons”, click here. 

While on “My Three Sons” Considine did an episode of Desilu’s hit mobster series, “The Untouchables” titled “The Spoiler” (1963). The episode also featured Claude Akins, who “I Love Lucy” fans remember

played himself (playing a giant native) in “Desert Island” (ILL S6;E8).

After leaving “My Three Sons” Considine’s acting was less regular, but he did memorably get slapped by George C. Scott in the film Patton (1970).  

His final appearance on screen was in the 2006 independent film Ray of Sunshine.

His first wife was actress Charlotte Stewart, who played Miss Beadle on “Little House on the Prairie”. He had been married to Willette Hunt since July 1979. They had one child.

 Considine died at his home in California at the age of 81.