Tim Hovey

Tim Hovey (June 19, 1945 – September 9, 1989) was an American child actor during the 1950s. He later became a musician, road manager and an audio engineer for rock bands.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Hovey was discovered by a talent agent who saw his photo in the window of a photography shop. In 1955, he made his acting debut in an episode of Lassie. Later that year, he made his film debut as Tiger Flaherty opposite Charlton Heston in The Private War of Major Benson.

From 1955 to 1959, Hovey worked steadily in films and television, often playing characters younger than his real age due to his small stature. In 1957, he was signed to a film contract with Universal-International. While working at U-I, Hovey appeared in the Westerns Slim Carter and Money, Women and Guns, both opposite Jock Mahoney.

Hovey's final onscreen appearance was in an episode of the anthology series Schlitz Playhouse of the Stars, in 1959. Despite receiving an offer to appear in a Broadway play produced and directed by Otto Preminger, Hovey chose to retire from acting.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Hovey lived in Northern California and worked with computers. He was also the road manager for the rock band Grateful Dead. Hovey later learned how to play the slide guitar and would play with the band on occasion. From 1971 to 1977, Hovey served as the chief audio engineer for the Grateful Dead and Kingfish, the side project of Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. He is credited as co-writer of "Important Exportin' Man" (with Dave Torbert), on the album The Adventures of Panama Red, by the New Riders of the Purple Sage.

On September 9, 1989, Hovey died of an intentional drug overdose at his home in Watsonville, California. Hovey's suicide, along with the suicides of fellow former child actors Trent Lehman and Rusty Hamer, prompted Paul Petersen to form the child actor advocacy group A Minor Consideration.