Best known for his role in Charlie Chaplin's The Kid, Jackie Coogan (1914-1984) was one of the first and best known child actors. Because of the legal problems Coogan faced in obtaining the money he earned as a child star, the California legislature passed ground-breaking legislation protecting child actors and their earnings.

Coogan was born October 26, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, the son of John Leslie Coogan, Sr. (also known as Big Jack), and his wife Lillian (nee Dolliver). Coogan's parents were entertainers. His mother's whole family was involved in vaudeville, and she herself had been a child actress on stage known as Baby Lillian. John Coogan also worked as a dancer and comedian on the vaudeville circuit. When the couple married, they developed own stage act. John Coogan was a comedian, while his wife served as his foil and singer.

Made Stage Debut

Coogan spent the first three...