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'''Mary Badham''' (born [[October 7]], [[1952]], [[Birmingham]]), is an actress best known for her portrayal of Scout Finch in the [[1962]] film ''To Kill a Mockingbird'', for which she was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress. She is the younger sister of film director [[John Badham]].
:''This article is about the child actor. For the Birmingham TV personality, see [[Mary Badham (TV)]].''
'''Mary Badham''' (born [[October 7]], [[1952]], [[Birmingham]]), is an actress best known for her portrayal of Scout Finch in the [[1962]] film ''To Kill a Mockingbird'', for which she was nominated for an Oscar. She is the daughter of Birmingham broadcasting veteran [[Mary Badham (TV)|Mary Badham]], and the younger sister of film director [[John Badham]].


Badham had no prior film experience before being cast in "Mockingbird". During filming, she became particularly close to actor Gregory Peck who played her father. Afterwards she remained in touch with him, always calling him, until his death in [[2003]], by his character's name, 'Atticus'.
Badham had no prior film experience before being cast in "Mockingbird". As soon as she was cast by talent scout Alice Boatwright, she was flown to Hollywood, given a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel and enrolled in the Universal Studio School. Gregory Peck, who played her father in the film, was the first to greet her at the airport and often visited his home and accompanied his family on outings to Disneyland and other destinations. After the film's release, Badham and Peck remained close friends. She always addressed him as "Atticus", his character's name, until his death in [[2003]].


The Oscar in that year went to another child actress in an Alabama-related production, Patty Duke (for "The Miracle Worker"). Badham's next best-known role was 'Sport Sharewood' in "The Bewitchin' Pool", the final episode of the original ''Twilight Zone'' series.
The 1962 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress went to another child actress in an Alabama-related production, Patty Duke (for "The Miracle Worker"). Badham's next best-known role was 'Sport Sharewood' in "The Bewitchin' Pool", the final episode of the original ''Twilight Zone'' series.


She also appeared in the films "Let's Kill Uncle" ([[1966]]) and "This Property Is Condemned" (1966) before retiring from the acting profession.  
She also appeared in the films "Let's Kill Uncle" ([[1966]]) and "This Property Is Condemned" (1966) before retiring from the acting profession.  
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==References==
==References==
* Caldwell, Lily May (January 1962) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/MaryBadham-1%20(01-62).jpg Peck welcomes 'Cinderella girl']." ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
* "Mary Badham." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Aug 2007, 18:27 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 13 Oct 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Badham&oldid=154857455].
* "Mary Badham." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 31 Aug 2007, 18:27 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 13 Oct 2007 [http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Badham&oldid=154857455].


Revision as of 18:39, 2 January 2012

This article is about the child actor. For the Birmingham TV personality, see Mary Badham (TV).

Mary Badham (born October 7, 1952, Birmingham), is an actress best known for her portrayal of Scout Finch in the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. She is the daughter of Birmingham broadcasting veteran Mary Badham, and the younger sister of film director John Badham.

Badham had no prior film experience before being cast in "Mockingbird". As soon as she was cast by talent scout Alice Boatwright, she was flown to Hollywood, given a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel and enrolled in the Universal Studio School. Gregory Peck, who played her father in the film, was the first to greet her at the airport and often visited his home and accompanied his family on outings to Disneyland and other destinations. After the film's release, Badham and Peck remained close friends. She always addressed him as "Atticus", his character's name, until his death in 2003.

The 1962 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress went to another child actress in an Alabama-related production, Patty Duke (for "The Miracle Worker"). Badham's next best-known role was 'Sport Sharewood' in "The Bewitchin' Pool", the final episode of the original Twilight Zone series.

She also appeared in the films "Let's Kill Uncle" (1966) and "This Property Is Condemned" (1966) before retiring from the acting profession.

In 1989, Badham was inducted into the Alabama Walk of Fame, along with her brother John and Mockingbird co-star Phillip Alford.

At the urging of actor/writer/director Cameron Watson, Badham came out of retirement to play an offbeat cameo opposite Keith Carradine for his film Our Very Own (2005). Watson stated he would not accept any other actress for the part.

At present Badham is an art restorer and a college testing coordinator. Married to a school teacher, and the mother of two, she also travels around the world recalling her experiences making "To Kill a Mockingbird" while expounding on the book's messages of tolerance and compassion.

References

External links

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