Tom Nolan

**Tom Nolan Biography**

Born Bernard Girouard on January 15, 1948, in Montreal, Tom Nolan made a name for himself as a beloved child actor during the 1950s and 1960s. His family moved to Los Angeles, where he began taking dance classes at the tender age of three. He quickly gained recognition for his emotive performances, making a notable television debut as Prince Edward of Wales in a "Hallmark Hall of Fame" production featuring Sarah Churchill. With a unique ability to evoke sympathy, Nolan often portrayed young boys facing challenges, including a crippled character in "My Friend Flicka" and an asthmatic boy in "Medic."

Nolan's career peaked at just ten years old when he starred as Jody in the gentle Western series *Buckskin* (1958), where he narrated stories from a child's perspective in the frontier town of Buckskin, Montana. Although the show ran for only one season, it garnered enough popularity for Nolan to have comic books based on his character, and he became a sought-after figure at public events.

After *Buckskin*, he appeared in numerous Westerns like "Rawhide," "The Rifleman," and "Gunsmoke," along with recurring roles on "Lassie." As he transitioned into adulthood, Nolan found it challenging to sustain a steady acting career but later shifted his focus to writing, contributing to esteemed publications such as *Playboy* and the *Los Angeles Times*.

In adulthood, he adopted the name Tom Nolan and returned to acting, appearing in films like *Yanks* (1979), *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982), and *Batman Begins* (2005). Now with nearly five decades in the industry, Tom continues to reside in the San Fernando Valley, showcasing his enduring passion for acting.