It’s been three years since the tragic death of former child star Lee Aaker, best known as Rusty in the 1950s classic TV series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. Later a producer, carpenter, and ski instructor, Aaker also appeared in movies like Desperate Search with Howard Keel and Keenan Wynn. He died of a stroke on April 1, 2021. He was only 77 years old. This is his story.
A Closer Look
Lee Aaker was born on September 25, 1943, the son of Dorothe Dean (Baker) and Deforrest Leroy and Dorothe Dean (Baker), the latter of whom owned a dancing school. He and his brother Dee Aaker had a song-and-dance act when they were just kids.
In 1952, Lee appeared in two Oscar-nominated feature films: The Greatest Show on Earth and High Noon (the latter of which won).
One year after that, Aaker auditioned for the leading young boy role in the classic film Shane. Promised the part, Aaker ultimately lost the role to Brandon De Wilde.
The Exit From Tinseltown
After leaving Hollywood Lee Aaker was employed as a carpenter and, for twenty years, taught skiing to underprivileged children and those with disabilities at Mammoth Mountain in California.