Gina Gail Gillespie (born September 20, 1951) is an American former child actress best known for her recurring roles in the television series Law of the Plainsman and Karen, and for playing Pippi Longstocking in a 1961 episode of Shirley Temple's Storybook. She later attended law school and became an attorney.
Early life Gillespie was born in San Gabriel, California, the daughter of Herbert Gillespie and Rean Tibeau Gillespie, who had been vaudeville dancers. In 1955, when her sister Darlene became a Mouseketeer, the family moved to Burbank, California. She has three other siblings.
Acting career Discovered by Alfred Hitchcock, Gillespie began acting on television when she was four years old. In 1958, she obtained small roles in Andy Hardy Comes Home and The Lost Missile.
In 1959 she was cast in the recurring role of Tess Logan, an eight-year-old orphan, in the western television series Law of the Plainsman, which ran on NBC from October 1, 1959, to September 22, 1960. Reruns of the series were broadcast on ABC from July through September 1962.Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 – Present, 1st Edition, page 340 & 320, Ballantine Books, 1979
She continued to act in both television series and films, including playing dual roles in Pippi Longstocking, a 1961 episode of Shirley Temple's Storybook. The story differs from the famous children's novel, for it is about a girl named Susan Ann Scholfield who tells her younger sister that, if she had her own way, she would be a girl named Pippi and live in a house with a monkey, a horse and a box of gold. The episode then shows the adventures Susan imagines.Vincent Terrace, Encyclopedia of Television Pilots, page 193, McFarland, 2019
In 1961, she appeared in an episode of Boris Karloff's Thriller - Mr. George, a story by August Derleth, and directed by Ida Lupino. Lucy Chase Williams interviewed her for the commentary track of the DVD issue for this episode.
In 1962 Gillespie played the role of young Blanche in the film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and received good reviews for her performance.James Powers, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (Review),The Hollywood Reporter, October 26, 1962
In 1964 she was cast as Mimi Scott, the tomboyish younger sister in the television series Karen, which was broadcast on NBC from October 5, 1964, to August 30, 1965.
Gillespie guested on a 1966 episode of Laredo, but this was her last role. She left the acting profession at age 15, deciding to concentrate on her education.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotesReference1958Andy Hardy Comes HomeCricket HardyPlayed Andy's daughterThe Essential Mickey Rooney, page 225, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2016 1958The Lost MissileLittle Girl in Underground BunkerUncredited role1959Playhouse 90Kathy PatrickEpisode: "A Marriage of Strangers"1959Face of a FugitiveAlice BaileyPlayed sheriff's niece David Dye, Child and Youth Actors: Filmographies of Their Entire Careers, 1914 - 1985, page 86, McFarland, 19881959It Happened to JaneBetty OsgoodPlayed Jane's daughter1959-1960Law of the PlainsmanTess LoganRecurring role in series1960The Slowest Gun in the WestThe DaughterTV specialMike Malloy, Lee Van Cleef: A Biographical, Film and Television Reference, page 180, McFarland, 19981960Wagon TrainPeggy O'TooleEpisode: "The Albert Farnsworth Story", Colonel Farnsworth played by Charles Laughton.1961Thriller PriscillaEpisode: "Mr. George"Alan Warren, This Is a Thriller: An Episode Guide, History and Analysis of the Classic 1960s Television Series, pages 98 - 99, McFarland, 20041961The Aquanauts LisaEpisode: "Niagara Dive"The Boston Globe, January 8, 1961, page 1991961Tales of Wells Fargo Carol Butler / Cindy Croydon2 episodes: "Prince Jim", "A Fistful of Pride"1961Shirley Temple's StorybookSusan & PippiEpisode: Pippi Longstocking, played dual roles1962What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?Young BlanchePlayed Jane's sister as a child1963The FugitiveJenny AmmoryEpisode: "The Witch"The Boston Globe, May 10, 1964, page 2521964-1965KarenMimi Scott27 episodes, recurring role in series1966LaredoKim "Missy" MabryEpisode: "The Deadliest Kid in the West"
Later life Gillespie graduated from Providence High School in Burbank, and married James MacDonald on May 5, 1973. She later attended the University of La Verne College of Law and graduated Cum Laude in 1988. After being admitted to the California State Bar she became a practising attorney.
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