Quick Facts
Biography
Billy Booth (1949 - 2006) was an American film and television child actor. He was active in the 1960s and is best known for playing Dennis Mitchell's best friend Tommy Anderson on the sitcom Dennis the Menace.
Early life
Billy Booth was born on November 7, 1949 as William Allen Booth, in Los Angeles, California.
He attended Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, California, and graduated in 1967.
Acting career
He made entry in the show business as a voice actor in the 1957 film, The Snow Queen. He made his acting debut in 1959, playing the character of "George" in the episode "A Light in the Fruit Closet" of the TV series, Goodyear Theatre.
Booth also appeared in a commercial for Crest toothpaste.
In 1960, he appeared in various television series including Law of the Plainsman, The Twilight Zone, The Slowest Gun in the West, and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. His breakthrough role came in 1959 when he was cast as "Tommy Anderson," best friend of the main character Dennis Mitchell (played by Jay North) in the hit sitcom, Dennis the Menace, which was based on the works of American cartoonist Hank Ketcham. Of the show's 146 episodes, Billy was seen in 111 episodes.
In 1962, he provided the voice for Wentworth in the Merrie Melodies episode of animation film Honey's Money.
Booth's last acting gig was the TV series My Three Sons (1963-1967), in which he appeared in three episodes:
- as "Richard" in Top Secret (1963)
- as "Charley" in Will Success Spoil Chip Douglas? (1964)
- as "Jack" in The Computer Picnic (1967)
After acting
After leaving the show business, Billy studied law at Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco, California, graduating in 1974. Following the graduation, in 1977, he became a practicing lawyer and moved to Los Osos, California. He taught business and real estate law at both Cuesta College and Cal Poly, both located in San Luis Obispo County, California.
Later, he practiced law in Morro Bay, California.
Personal life
Booth was married to Kathern - the marriage ended in a divorce.
Death
Booth died due to liver complications on December 31, 2006 in San Luis Obispo, California.