Who was Tommy Rettig Wife? A Detailed Guide About His Personal Life, Career, Lifestyle, Death And Other Info

Introduction

Tommy Rettig was a beloved child actor, best known for his role as Jeff Miller on the popular TV series Lassie, left a lasting impact on Hollywood. Despite his early focus on acting, Rettig later transitioned into a successful career as a computer software engineer and author. In this guide, we will discuss about Tommy Rettig wife, his personal life, career, lifestyle and much more.

Category	Details
Full Name	Thomas Noel Rettig
Birthdate	December 10, 1941
Age	54 years (As of 1996)
Date of death	February 15, 1996
Birthplace	Queens, New York, USA
Education	Graduation
Profession	Actor, Computer Software Engineer, Author
Religion	Christianity
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White
Height	5 feet, 4 inches
Relationship Status	Married
Tommy Rettig Wife	Darlene Portwood
Parents	Elias Rettig, Rosemary Nibali
Place of death	Marina del Rey, California
Cause of death	Heart Failure

Early life

In Jackson Heights in the Queens borough of New York city, Rettig was born on December 10, 1941, to Christian Italian-American Rosemary Nibali and Jewish father Elias Rettig. His father was a Lockheed aircraft-parts inspector. Tommy Rettig started his career at a very young age.

Early Career and Breakthrough

At the age of six, he began his professional career as Little Jake in the play “Annie Get Your Gun”, which he performed on tour alongside Mary Martin. However, his breakthrough role came in 1954 when he was cast as Jeff Miller on Lassie. Rettig’s portrayal of the loyal and brave boy who loved his dog Lassie won the hearts of millions, making him a household name.

Post-Lassie Career

After his successful performance in Lassie, Tommy also appeared in 17 feature films including So Big, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, and River of No Return.  After four seasons of the show Lassie, tommy decided to live a life as a normal teenager and take a break from acting.

At the age of 18, he was cast as Pierre in the New Orleans-set episode “The Ghost of Lafitte” of the ABC western series “The Man from Blackhawk”. In age 19, he had a role in Wagon Train episode “Weight of Command”. He played various other roles in the television series Peter Gunn.  Never Too Young and Mr. Novak.

Post-acting Career

He was nabbed in the 1970s for smuggling cocaine and possessing marijuana (the latter conviction was later dropped), and he had long supported legalizing marijuana. A few years after quitting acting, he started a career as a motivational speaker, which led to his involvement in the early days of personal computers through work on computer mailing lists.

Shift To Technology

In the late 1970s, Tommy Rettig made a significant career shift by becoming a computer software engineer. Tom co-wrote the key reference book on dBASE III at Ashton-Tate and was one of its designers. He created the first Clipper add-on library that simplify all our tasks. Tom gave talks at numerous developer gatherings, such as the FoxPro DevCons, and authored articles for Data Based Advisor. The complexities of FoxPro were taught through Tom Rettig’s Help and Tom Rettig’s FoxPro Handbook. Tom was a Hollywood-famous programmer who has legendary programming skills.

Physical Appearance

Tommy Rettig had a charming and youthful appearance during his early career, which made him a beloved child star. Standing at approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall, Rettig had a slender build, typical of his young age during his acting peak. As he grew older, he maintained a relatively average physique. His weight fluctuated over the years, especially as he faced personal struggles later in life.

Education

He began acting at a very young age, which meant that much of his schooling was done through on-set tutors while he worked on various film and television projects. He had a degree in graduation from University High School in Los Angeles in 1959. 

Tommy Rettig Wife

Tommy Rettig married his childhood sweetheart, Darlene Portwood, in 1959. The couple had two children together named Tommy Rettig Jr. and Deane Rettig. Despite the joys of parenthood, Tommy Rettig’s wife and his marriage faced difficulties, leading to their divorce in 1977. The end of their marriage marked a turning point in Rettig’s life, as he struggled to adjust to life beyond his early fame.

Relationship with Ellen Sander

Ellen Sander was married to Tommy Rettig later in his life. The couple’s relationship was marked by a deep connection and mutual support. They were together during a period when Rettig had moved away from his acting career and was focusing on his work in computer software engineering.

Tom Rettig’s Lifestyle

After stepping away from acting, Rettig embraced a more private lifestyle. He focused on his work in software development and enjoyed spending time with his children. He preferred a low-profile life, far from the Hollywood glamour of his early years. Despite his past struggles, Rettig found contentment in his later years, living a quieter life focused on personal growth and professional satisfaction.

Later Years and Death

Rettig made a comeback to television after 23 years, appearing in the last episode of The New Lassie as an adult Jeff Miller. On Feb 15, 1996, Rettig passed away at the age of 54 from heart failure.

Legacy

Despite the challenges he faced, Tommy Rettig left a lasting legacy as one of America’s beloved child stars. His role on Lassie continues to be remembered fondly by fans of the show.

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Conclusion

Tommy Rettig’s life was a complex journey marked by early success, personal struggles, and reinvention. Due to some illegal acts, Tommy Rettig’s wife and his relationship got hurt and he faced many challenges at that stage. From his iconic role on Lassie to his later career in technology, Rettig’s story is one of resilience and transformation.

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