Philip Raymond Hurlic (December 20, 1927 – July 7, 2014) was an American child actor.
Biography Hurlic appeared in a number of films in the 1930s and early 1940s. Hurlic's income from his film work was used to support his East Los Angeles family. Hurlic's earliest roles were as a toddler in the Baby Burlesks series, which starred a pre-fame Shirley Temple. His largest roles in film include Little Jim in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), Verman Diggs in the Penrod films, and Zeke in Zenobia (1939), in which the 12 year old played one of the earliest positive roles for a Black male when he recited the Declaration of Independence from memory at the behest of co-star Oliver Hardy. He also appeared in a number of Our Gang comedies alongside another child actor from his neighborhood, Billie Thomas (Buckwheat).
He retired from film business in 1942 after 30 films. According to Hurlic's daughter Zee, Hurlic died peacefully on July 7, 2014, surrounded by his family.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1935 Helldorado Sam Ed uncredited1936 Hearts Divided Pippin 1936 The Green Pastures Carlisle Randall uncredited1936 College Holiday Black Baby Cupid uncredited1937 Penrod and Sam Verman Diggs 1937 Wings over Honolulu Robert Lee uncredited1937 Nothing Sacred One of Walker's Kids uncredited1938 The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Little Jim 1938 Penrod and His Twin Brother Vermin 1938 Jezebel Erronens uncredited1938 Feed 'em and Weep Our Gang Member short1938 Penrod's Double Trouble Verman 1938 Stablemates Black Boy Bringing Uniform uncredited1939 Zenobia Zeke 1939 Cousin Wilbur Buckwheat's Friend short1939 The Sun Never Sets Tuppence - Native Boy uncredited1939 Chicken Wagon Family Black Boy uncredited1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Boy Ranger uncredited1940 Young Tom Edison Black Boy at Tree uncredited1941 Father's Son Vestibule Pullman Montgomery uncredited1941 Golden Hoofs Mose 1942 Scattergood Rides High Toby 1942 Tales of Manhattan Jeff uncredited
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