Billy Cook (actor)

Billy Cook (born William Henry Cook, January 11, 1928 – June 27, 1981) was an American child actor who appeared in numerous films and television series from the 1940s through the 1960s. Often cast in mischievous or rebellious roles, Cook was known for his distinctive freckled face and red hair.

He began his career as a child, appearing in uncredited roles before gaining wider recognition in films like The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Biscuit Eater (1940), and The Outlaw (1943). Cook continued acting into adulthood, transitioning into supporting roles in Westerns and crime dramas. He appeared in television shows such as The Lone Ranger, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Perry Mason. Although he never achieved major stardom, Cook maintained a steady career as a character actor, contributing to a wide range of productions throughout his life. He died in 1981 at the age of 53.