Date of Birth: December 10, 1941
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: February 15, 1996
Biography
Thomas Noel Rettig, known professionally as Tommy Rettig, was an American child actor, computer software engineer, and author. Born in Queens, New York, Rettig became famous for his role as Jeff Miller in the first three seasons of the CBS television series “Lassie” (1954–1957). His portrayal of Jeff Miller, a young boy who owns a loyal Rough Collie named Lassie, made him a household name. Before “Lassie,” Rettig appeared in several films, including “The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T” (1953) and “River of No Return” (1954) alongside Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum. After leaving “Lassie,” Rettig struggled with typecasting and found it difficult to transition to adult roles in Hollywood. He eventually moved away from acting and became involved in the burgeoning computer software industry. Rettig co-authored several software programs and was known for his work in the development of early database management systems. Rettig’s journey from child star to software engineer is a testament to his ability to reinvent himself and adapt to changing circumstances. Despite facing personal challenges, including legal issues and substance abuse, he managed to carve out a successful second career in technology.
5 Interesting Facts about Tommy Rettig
1. Tommy Rettig was the first boy to play the role of Jeff Miller on the TV series “Lassie.”
2. He left acting in the late 1960s and became a computer software engineer, working on early database management systems.
3. Rettig co-authored a book on dBASE, an early database management system for microcomputers.
4. He struggled with substance abuse and legal issues in his later years but managed to turn his life around through his work in technology.
5. Rettig was a strong advocate for the use of technology in education and helped develop educational software programs.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tommy Rettig
1. “I had to learn how to become a real person, as opposed to a human being who was acting all the time.”
2. “Being a child star is great, but it’s also a tremendous amount of pressure.”
3. “Technology gave me a second chance at life.”
4. “The magic of ‘Lassie’ wasn’t just in the dog, it was in the stories we told that touched people’s hearts.”
5. “I found peace and purpose in the world of computers, something I never found in Hollywood.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career in technology, Tommy Rettig’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Tommy Rettig had two children, both sons, named Tom and Deane Rettig.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Tommy Rettig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Rettig
2. [IMDb – Tommy Rettig](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0720497/
3. [Find a Grave – Tommy Rettig](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21758/tommy-rettig
4. [Lassie TV Show – History and Cast](https://www.lassieweb.org/
5. [Biography – Tommy Rettig](https://www.biography.com/actor/tommy-rettig
