MovieChat Forums > Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1954) Discussion > Whatever Became of 'Bobby'?

Whatever Became of 'Bobby'?

posted 15 years ago by rusher-7
6 replies | jump to latest

Most all of the series regulars, and many of the series 'irregulars', were veteran character actors and actresses whose history and resume are well-documented -- except for one -- Robert Lyden, the young boy who played "Bobby". He appeared in numerous TV shows and theatrical films in the mid-fifties, but from the time of his portrayal of young Creighton Cheney in the 1957 James Cagney film "Man Of A Thousand Faces", seems there is absolutely nothing about him documented anywhere -- at least not that I have been able to uncover.

Anyone know whatever became of "Bobby"?

[–] vawlkee_2000 10 years ago

According to writer Jan Alan Henderson in a recent issue of "FILMFAX" Magazine, Robert Lyden was born in 1942 and died in 1986.
I've been unable to find anything else on him other than that.

[–] jsalden 10 years ago

That's too bad, 44 is very young.

[–] klondike6 10 years ago

I think it is heartwarming that there is still an interest in sadly forgotten child actors. Using data bases in genealogy research I was able to construct a timeline for Robert Lyden. I hope no one thinks I have invaded his privacy. This was garnered from public records available at the websites below.

Robert Marinus Lyden
1942 May 28: Born Los Angeles CA. Mother’s maiden name was Leeners
1967 June 30: At age 25 he married Thelma Sanchez age 21. Los Angeles, CA
1975 January: At age 32 he divorced Thelma Sanchez Lyden She was 28.
1986 January 17: At age 43, he died Los Angeles, CA.
Buried Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA

http://www.familitsearch.org
http://www.findagrave.com

[–] RockyJones 10 years ago

Dead at 44? That's very sad news! As Proffesor Newton would say, "Goodness gracious!"

[–] sesmith70 9 years ago

sad. I always thought Winky was cute! lol Scotty Beckett also died young at 38

[–] magolding-94772 8 years ago

IMDB has a bio of Bobby Lyden. It doesn't give the cause of death.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0527974/?ref_=tt_cl_t4

And he also has a Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Lyden

I only remember one episode of Rocky Jones Space Ranger probably a rerun years after it was first shown.

Anyway, I remember a scene where Bobby crawls through air ducts to save the day because he is the only one small enough.

The list of Robert Lyden's roles gives one other that I remember, Ben Edwards in The Searchers . I only found out a few days ago that it was the same kid in both roles.