Mary Badham
Encyclopedia
Mary Badham is an American actress, known for her portrayal of Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird
(1962), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
. At the time, Badham (aged 10) was the youngest actress ever nominated in this category. Badham is also widely known for her role as 'Sport Sharewood' in The Bewitchin' Pool
, the final episode
of the original Twilight Zone series
. She also appeared in the films Let's Kill Uncle
and This Property Is Condemned
before retiring from the acting profession.
Badham is the younger (by thirteen years) sister of film director John Badham
. The Badham siblings, however, have never worked together on the same film.
Badham had no prior film acting experience before being cast in To Kill a Mockingbird. The Oscar in her category went to another child actress, Patty Duke
for The Miracle Worker
. During filming, Badham became particularly close to actor Gregory Peck
who played Scout's father, and afterwards she remained in touch with him, always calling him by his character's name 'Atticus', until his death in 2003. At the urging of actor/writer/director Cameron Watson
, Badham came out of retirement to play an offbeat cameo opposite Keith Carradine
for his film Our Very Own
. Watson stated he would not accept any other actress for the part. He had managed to contact her via Monroeville, Alabama
, where she had been invited to attend a stage version of To Kill a Mockingbird.
At present, Badham is an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Married to a school teacher, and the mother of two (Anthony and Anna), she also travels around the world recalling her experiences making To Kill a Mockingbird while expounding on the book's messages of tolerance and compassion.
To Kill a Mockingbird (film)
To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 American drama film adaptation of Harper Lee's novel of the same name directed by Robert Mulligan. It stars Mary Badham in the role of Scout and Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus Finch....
(1962), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry. Since its inception, however, the...
. At the time, Badham (aged 10) was the youngest actress ever nominated in this category. Badham is also widely known for her role as 'Sport Sharewood' in The Bewitchin' Pool
The Bewitchin' Pool
"The Bewitchin' Pool" is the final episode of the American television series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:Sport Sharewood and her brother Jeb live in a large, expensive house, but their mother is cold, insensitive and self-centered; their father is kinder, but still a distant and preoccupied...
, the final episode
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
of the original Twilight Zone series
The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising...
. She also appeared in the films Let's Kill Uncle
Let's Kill Uncle
Let's Kill Uncle is a 1966 color horror film directed by William Castle about a young boy who is trapped on an island by his uncle who is planning to kill him. His only friend is young girl who tries to help him. It stars Nigel Green, Mary Badham, Pat Cardi and Robert Pickering. It is based on a...
and This Property Is Condemned
This Property is Condemned
This Property Is Condemned is a 1966 American drama film starring Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Kate Reid, Charles Bronson and Mary Badham and directed by Sydney Pollack. The screenplay was written by Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Coe and Edith Sommer. The story was adapted from the 1946 one-act...
before retiring from the acting profession.
Badham is the younger (by thirteen years) sister of film director John Badham
John Badham
- External links :...
. The Badham siblings, however, have never worked together on the same film.
Badham had no prior film acting experience before being cast in To Kill a Mockingbird. The Oscar in her category went to another child actress, Patty Duke
Patty Duke
Anna Marie "Patty" Duke is an American actress of stage, film, and television. First becoming famous as a child star, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 16, and later starring in her eponymous sitcom for three years, she progressed to more mature roles upon playing Neely...
for The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker
The Miracle Worker is a cycle of 20th century dramatic works derived from Helen Keller's autobiography The Story of My Life. Each of the various dramas describes the relationship between Keller—a deafblind and initially almost feral child—and Anne Sullivan, the teacher who introduced her to...
. During filming, Badham became particularly close to actor Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Eldred Gregory Peck was an American actor.One of 20th Century Fox's most popular film stars from the 1940s to the 1960s, Peck continued to play important roles well into the 1980s. His notable performances include that of Atticus Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which he won an...
who played Scout's father, and afterwards she remained in touch with him, always calling him by his character's name 'Atticus', until his death in 2003. At the urging of actor/writer/director Cameron Watson
Cameron Watson
Cameron Watson is an American actor, screenwriter, and director, best known for playing Bart Fallmont in the TV miniseries Dynasty: The Reunion....
, Badham came out of retirement to play an offbeat cameo opposite Keith Carradine
Keith Carradine
Keith Ian Carradine is an American actor who has had success on stage, film and television. In addition, he is a Golden Globe and Oscar winning songwriter. As a member of the Carradine family, he is part of an acting "dynasty" that began with his father, John Carradine.-Early life:Keith...
for his film Our Very Own
Our Very Own
Our Very Own is a 2005 American drama film written and directed by Cameron Watson. The screenplay focuses on five small town teenagers whose dreams of a better life have been inspired by the Hollywood success of one-time local girl Sondra Locke....
. Watson stated he would not accept any other actress for the part. He had managed to contact her via Monroeville, Alabama
Monroeville, Alabama
Monroeville is a city in Monroe County, Alabama, United States, the county seat of Monroe County. At the 2000 census its population was 6,862. It is known as the home town of two prominent writers of the post World War II period, Truman Capote and Harper Lee, who were childhood friends in the...
, where she had been invited to attend a stage version of To Kill a Mockingbird.
At present, Badham is an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Married to a school teacher, and the mother of two (Anthony and Anna), she also travels around the world recalling her experiences making To Kill a Mockingbird while expounding on the book's messages of tolerance and compassion.