Jeffrey Franklin East (born October 27, 1957) is an American retired actor. Beginning his professional acting career at the age of fourteen, East is known for his portrayal of Huckleberry Finn in the United Artists feature films Tom Sawyer (1973) and Huckleberry Finn (1974), as well as for his portrayal of a teenage Clark Kent in Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie (1978).
Early life East was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to parents Ira and Joan Ann East. His father worked in real estate and his mother was a homemaker. East grew up with three siblings: an older sister named Anne, an older brother named Ronald and a twin sister named Jane.
Career East's feature film credits include The Flight of the Grey Wolf (1974), Stranger in Our House (1978), Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith (1979), Klondike Fever (1980), Deadly Blessing (1981), Up the Creek (1984), Dream West (1986), Pumpkinhead (1988), Another Chance (1989) and Deadly Exposure (1993).
Unbeknownst to East when the film was being made, his Superman dialogue was dubbed over by Christopher Reeve. East also starred in the 1983 television film The Day After. His TV guest appearances include M*A*S*H ("Settling Debts"), Otherworld and Shades of L.A.
Personal life In 1987, East became involved in real estate development with his father. In February 2004, he moved back to Kansas City to take over his father's commercial real estate company.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1973 Tom Sawyer Huckleberry Finn 1974 Huckleberry Finn 1977 The Hazing Craig Lewis Alternate title: The Curious Case of the Campus Corpse 1978 Superman Young Clark Kent Dialogue dubbed by Christopher Reeve 1980 Klondike Fever Jack London 1981 Deadly Blessing John Schmidt 1984 Up the Creek Rex Crandall 1988 Pumpkinhead Chris 1989 Another Chance Harlen 1992 Blue Champagne Sam Video 1993 Deadly Exposure Anderson 2009 Misfortune Smiles The Great Oswald Short 2010 Last Breath Dennis 2015 Terminal Becker
Television YearTitleRole Notes 1974 Return of the Big Cat Josh McClaren TV movie 1976 The Flight of the Grey Wolf Russ Hanson 1977 The Ghost of Cypress Swamp Lonny Bascombe 1978 Stranger in Our House Peter Bryant 1979 How the West Was Won Orly Episode: "The Rustler" Insight Rob Episode: "When, Jenny? When?" Mary and Joseph: A Story of Faith Joseph TV movie 1982 M*A*S*H Lt. Pavelich Episode: "Settling Debts" 1983 The Day After Bruce Gallatin TV movie 1984–1986 1st & Ten Bryce Smith 13 episodes 1985 Otherworld Rev Episode: "Village of the Motorpigs" 1986 Dream West Tim Donovan Mini-series 1990 Shades of LA Jack Dymond Episode: "Some Like it Cold" 1991 The New Adam-12 Officer Carson Episode: "D.A.R.E." 1992 Doogie Howser, M.D. Mr. Fukes Episode: "The Big Sleep... Not!"
References
External links
Jeff East Interview, November 2004 Facebook site (official)