Joey Fallon (born Joseph A. Fallon; December 24, 1941"United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6TRY-KJK7 : 7 June 2024), Joseph A Fallon, 1984."United States, Public Records, 1970-2009", FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KK4Q-HBX : 12 November 2019), Joseph A Fallon, 1996-2004. – November 17, 1993), sometimes billed as Joseph Fallon, was an American child actor in television, theater, radio, and film, and—at various times—an attorney, a Democratic district leader in Manhattan, an assistant to New York City Mayor John Lindsay, and campaign director for the then would-be New York State lieutenant governor, Mario Cuomo.
Early life and career A Bronx native, Fallon was the son of Irish immigrants Michael Fallon and Mary O'Connor."Death Notices: FALLON—Mary (née O'Connor)". New York Daily News. May 26, 1980. p. 20."United States, Census, 1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XTG-XSW7 : Tue Mar 19 21:16:47 UTC 2024), Entry for Michael Fallon and Mary Fallon, 3 April 1950."New York, New York Passenger and Crew Lists, 1909, 1925-1958", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H8P-ZQH : Sat Jan 18 07:57:27 UTC 2025), Entry for Joseph A Fallon, 1956. He began acting at age 6, making his Broadway debut in 1948, in Sundown Beach. He appeared not quite two years later with Martha Scott in Design for a Stained Glass Window,"Guy Kibbee Stars in Show at the Valley; Has Playhouse Lead With Joe Fallon in 'On Borrowed Time'". The Journal News. July 17, 1951. p. 5. "[T]he boy who shares honors with Mr. Kibbee in 'On Borrowed Time' is Joe Fallon, a versatile young actor, who made his debut on Broadway in 1948 in 'Sundown Beach.' He was also seen on Broadway with Martha Scott in 'Design for a Stained Glass Window.' Mr. Fallon appears regularly in 'King's Row'. 'Let's Pretend' and 'Armstrong Theatre of Today' over CBS and has appeared with Lili Palmer, Pat O'Brien and Brandon de Wild on TV's Philco Playhouse. He has also been in 'Studio 1'; with Otto Kruger in 'Hollywood Screen Test'; in NBC's 'Big Story'; and on Kraft Theatre." and following his appearance as the showcased newcomer alongside veterans Otto Kruger, Neil Hamilton, and Fran Carlon on the December 11, 1950 episode of ABC's Hollywood Screen Test, Fallon made his big screen debut in the summer of 1951, as "Jimmy" in The Texas Rangers."Joseph Fallon Cast in 'Ranger' Picture". Press of Atlantic City. September 22, 1950. p. 14.
In March 1953, Fallon starred in "Treasure Island", an episode of NBC's The Doctor, dubbed by critic Steven H. Scheuer "one of the most appealing shows the Doctor's had in a great while." An affectionate cops and robbers story [...] [a]bout a lonely little boy whose reading inspires fictional heroes, and what happens to him when he is faced with their real life counterparts[, it features] excellent acting by Russell Hardie, John Marley, Peg Hillias and Joey Fallon as the boy,Scheuer, Steven H. (March 15, 1953). "TV Key". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 28. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
In 1954 and 1955, Fallon portrayed, respectively, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, in episodes of Campbell Television Soundstage—paired with Eileen Heckart as Tom's Aunt Polly—and Frontiers of Faith, wherein Mark Twain's Huck encounters Sholem Aleichem's Mottel.
As of 1956 (notwithstanding a few remaining radio guest spots scattered over the next three years"Radio Highlights". Tampa Bay Times. September 4, 1957. p. 27."Joey Fallon: Programs/Episodes". Old Time Radio Researchers.), Fallon had all but retired from acting, albeit unofficially, in order to better focus his energy on education. Following four years at Fordham Prep, his first-place finish in a city-wide, Knights of Columbus-sponsored oratory contest—and the resulting $1,200 scholarship"Has a Way With Words". New York Daily News. May 3, 1959. p. M10.—helped Fallon attend Georgetown University.
Political career In August 1963, Fallon was named college director of the Democratic National Committee."New Director". New York Daily News. August 25, 1963. p. 5M. He later served under New York State Democratic leader John Burns—as executive assistant—as well as New York City Parks Commissioner August Heckscher. In 1972, he was appointed by Mayor John Lindsay "assistant to the mayor in charge of the Office of Ethnic Affairs,""Lindsay Taps an Aide". New York Daily News. August 17, 1972. p. 22. Retrieved February 17, 2025. where he was said to "represent the mayor in matters of Church and Labor.""Council Plans Family Breakfast". Staten Island Advance. December 14, 1972. p. 34. Two years later, he headed Mario Cuomo's unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant Governor of New York, and, from 1977 to 1983, he represented Manhattan's Yorkville district in the New York State Assembly.
Beginning no later than 1988, having previously completed his education at Brooklyn Law School and passed the New York state bar exam, Fallon was a member of the law firm Fisher, Fallon, Salerno, Betlesky and Kelly. In April 1990, he received some unwelcome publicity as one 14 attorneys across New York state charged with tax evasion by state attorney general Robert Abrams. Fallon ultimately pleaded guilty "to a single misdemeanor count of failure to file an income tax return in 1986" and received a $10,000 fine.McQueen, M. P. (May 20, 1990). "Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Failing to Pay Taxes". Newsday. p. 18.
Death On November 17, 1993, Fallon died at age 51 of pancreatic cancer at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. He was survived by longtime companion Ann Phillips.
Partial filmography
Hollywood Screen Test Episode aired December 11, 1950 – Himself (as Joseph Fallon)"Television Today". The Record. December 11, 1950 . p. 31. Let's Pretend "The Little Lame Prince" (1951) – The Prince (age 7)Palmer, Zuma (January 26, 1951). "Radio-Television: Dorothy McGuire Lead in Polio Play". Los Angeles Citizen News. p. 22. "In this 10th annual presentation, Nila Mack, author-director-producer has cast Joseph Fallon, 7: Alan Shay, 14, and Kingsley Colton, in 20's, for the prince at various ages." Cosmopolitan Theatre "Incident in the Blizzard" (1951) The Texas Rangers (1951) – Jimmy (as Joseph Fallon)"Review: 'Texas Rangers' at Colonial". The Patriot-News. July 4, 1951. p. 4. Hands of Mystery "The Game" (1951) Not for Publication "The Cast-Offs" (1952)Stretch, Bud (February 15, 1952). "Air Waves". Courier-Post. p. 13. The Big Story "Pat Foley of the Houston Post" (1951)"Talent Showsheet: Friday May 18". Ross Reports on Television. Vol. 3, No. 4. Supplement B. May 13, 1951. p. 8. Omnibus "The Man in the Cool, Cool Moon" (1953)"This Week -- Network Debuts, Highlights, Changes; Talent Showsheet January 5-11, 1953: Sunday January 4". Ross Reports on Television. January 4, 1953. p. 7. Man Against Crime "Ferry Boat" (1953) – Boy (as Joseph Fallon)Public Gems (January 31, 2019). "Man Against Crime - Ferry Boat". YouTube. Suspense "The Kiss-Off" (1953) – Little BoyRobinson, William (February 7, 2017). "Suspense S05E26 The Kiss Off with Jack Palance". YouTube. The Doctor "Treasure Island" (1953) – Charlie"Television Programs: Sunday Programs". Los Angeles Citizen News. March 14, 1953. p. 8. Frontiers of Faith "From the Land of the Bible" (1953)Fox, Stuart (1976). Jewish Films in the United States : a comprehensive survey and descriptive filmography. Boston : G. K. Hall. p. 168. . "FRONTIERS OF FAITH FROM THE LAND OF THE BIBLE 30 min., 16 mm., Kine, B. & W., English, 21 June 1953. Production Co.: NBC (Protestant Group). Script: David Herman. Cast: Alex Scourby, Joseph Fallon, Dr. James Kennedy, radio and TV Director for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U. S." "Kasrilevke on the Mississippi" (1955) HuckFox, Stuart (1976). Jewish Films in the United States : A Comprehensive Survey and Descriptive Filmography. Boston : G. K. Hall. p. 170. . The Campbell Television Soundstage "A Little Child Shall Lead Them (a story of Tom Sawyer)" (1954) – Tom"TV Key Previews". The Birmingham News. May 21, 1954. p. 43. "Based on the first few chapters of Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. [...] Joey Fallon as Tom, and the always expert Eileen Heckart as Aunt Polly." You Are There "The Fall of Parnell (December 6, 1890)" (1954)"Talent Showsheet June 14-20". Ross Reports on Television. June 13, 1954. p. A. The United States Steel Hour "Fearful Decision" (1954) – Davie Center Stage "The Desdemona Murder Case" (1954)Rascoe, Burton (August 10, 1954). "TV First-Nighter: Super Chiller Offers Touch of Shakespeare". The Star-Ledger. p. 23. Kraft Television Theater "The Independent" (1954) – Scoop Florman"Serious Situation". Pasadena Independent. December 1, 1954. p. 37. "Complications arise in the comedy of politics and journalism, "The Independent," on "Television Theater" on KRCA (4) at 9 p.m., as indicated in this scene with Frances Robinson and Joey Fallon.""Television Programs". Hollywood Citizen-News. December 1, 1954. p. 12. "Joe Fallon is Scoop, the motherless son of Paul Florman." Studio One "An Almanac of Liberty" (1954) – Pre-teen townsperson (uncredited)Classic TV Channel (April 12, 2020). "Studio One - Season 7 - Episode 8 - An Almanac on Liberty {sic} | P.J. Kelly, Archie Smith, Ethel Remey". YouTube. '"The Incredible Life of Horace Ford" (1955) – Third KidRose, Reginald (1956) Six Television Plays. New York: Simon and Schuster. p. 257. . Way of the World "For Isabelle" Pts. 1 thru 7 (1955)"Multiple and Across-the-Board Shows Friday February 4 Thru Friday February 11". Ross Reports on Television. February 6, 1955. p. E. Goodyear Television Playhouse "Suit Yourself" (1955)"Bracken to Play Man Who Rebels". Daily World. September 11, 1955. p. 22.
References
External links
Joey Fallon at Old-Time Radio Researchers