Tim Hovey | |
---|---|
Born |
Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
June 19, 1945
Died | September 9, 1989 Watsonville, U.S. |
(aged 44)
Cause of death | Suicide by overdose |
Other names | Timothy Hovey |
Occupation | Actor, musician, audio engineer and road manager |
Years active | 1955–1989 |
Tim Hovey (June 19, 1945 — September 9, 1989) was a former American child actor during the 1950s. He later became a musician, road manager and an audio engineer for rock bands.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Hovey was discovered by a talent agent who saw his photo in the window of a photography shop. In 1955, he made his acting debut in an episode of Lassie. Later that year, he made his film debut as Tiger Flaherty opposite Charlton Heston in The Private War of Major Benson.
From 1955 to 1959, Hovey worked steadily in films and television, often playing characters younger than his real age due to his small stature. In 1957, he was signed to a film contract with Universal-International. While working at U-I, Hovey appeared in the Westerns Slim Carter and Money, Women and Guns, both opposite Jock Mahoney.
Hovey's final onscreen appearance was in an episode of the anthology series Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars, in 1959. Despite receiving an offer to appear in a Broadway play produced and directed by Otto Preminger, Hovey chose to retire from acting.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Hovey lived in Northern California and worked with computers. He was also the road manager for the rock band Grateful Dead. Hovey later learned how to play the slide guitar and would play with the band on occasion. From 1971 to 1977, Hovey served as the chief audio engineer for the Grateful Dead and Kingfish, the side project of Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. He is credited as co-writer of "Important Exportin' Man" (with Dave Tobert), on the album The Adventures of Panama Red, by the New Riders of the Purple Sage.