Paul Petersen went through the worst as a child star, starring as one of the “Mouseketeers” in “The Mickey Mouse Club” in 1955. His mom pushed him into show business at such a young age, and he obliged.
He appeared in several movies, including “The Monolith Monsters” in 1957 and “Houseboat” in 1958, alongside Sophia Loren and Cary Grant. It wasn’t until he was cast in the crowd-favorite sitcom “The Donna Reed Show,” however, that he got his big break.
Petersen starred as Reed’s son in the show that began in 1958. The show became pivotal in showcasing what an ideal American nuclear family should be.
For years, people watched Petersen’s character, “Jeff Stone,” grow up in front of their eyes. When he was in his teenage years, he was a handsome dark-haired heartthrob that won the hearts of young viewers around the country.Petersen ended up having fan clubs in different states. He, alongside his on-screen older sister, Shelley Fabares, was such a crowd favorite that they were given their own recording careers, somehow groomed to become idols despite them not having stellar singing voices.
Now, at 77 years old, the actor continues to win the hearts of his fans. They liken him to a “silver fox,” and many are amazed that he seems to have aged like fine wine.
Others also remembered him for his work on “The Donna Reed Show.” A fan commented that back in the day, he wished Petersen and Fabares were his older siblings...CONTINUE READING