The Business of Child Stardom & A Family of Hollywood Trailblazers with Keith Coogan

Media Path Podcast

When family stories become show biz stories, the world listens. Fitting that very bill we’ve got actor Keith Coogan, the grandson of the original child star, Jackie Coogan, whose namesake law in the state of California, is the first to safeguard the rights of young performers in Hollywood. Keith talks about growing up with this legend plus his own iconic roles as a prolific film and TV child actor!

Keith's career proves that show business blood runs thick: He told his mother he wanted to act before he even knew of his family legacy. His great grandfather, Jack Coogan Sr. was a Vaudeville and silent film star. His grandfather, Jackie Coogan was known, in the 1920s as, “the most famous boy in the world!” Keith began booking roles by the age of eight and quickly became a go-to casting choice, for TV guest spots and commercials starring Henry Fonda and Robert Morse.

Keith’s show biz success made his grandfather proud but a little jealous and relieved when Keith developed into a working actor rather than America’s darling.

Keith tells us about the legendary events, which led to The Coogan Act - After Jackie’s father died in a car crash, the young superstar’s hard earned fortune was squandered by his stepfather.

Passed in 1939, The Coogan Law requires that a portion of a child's earnings be placed in a blocked trust account until the child turns 18.

Keith recalls with great fondness his experiences working with stellar casts and crews on the “Babysitter” cult greats, 'Adventures in Babysitting', and Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead. Plus Toy Soldiers, The Waltons and The Fox and The Hound.

We play IMDB Roulette and get into Laverne and Shirley, Mork and Mindy, and Little House!

In recommendations--

Weezy: Netflix series, North of North

Fritz: Book, How Democracies Die by Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky

Path Points of Interest:

Keith Coogan

Keith Coogan on Wikipedia

Keith Coogan on IMDB

Keith Coogan on Instagram

Keith Coogan on X

Keith Coogan on YouTube

Keith Coogan on Facebook

Keith Coogan Merch

North of North

How Democracies Die by Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky

Media Path Podcast