Trivia

Began composing at age 14 and wrote material at one point for Doris Day.

Eventually abandoned acting to become a much respected jazz pianist and composer.

Often mistakenly listed as being related to the more well known Holt acting family - Jack Holt, Tim Holt and Jennifer Holt. He wasn't.

Co-wrote "The Christmas Blues" with Sammy Cahn, which was heard on the soundtrack of L.A. Confidential (1997).

Was working on his autobiography, "The Holts of Hollywood" at the time of his death.

A naturally talented youngster, he was once touted by Paramount Pictures as the "male Shirley Temple."

One of his first jobs was as a body double for Cheetah the chimpanzee in Tarzan the Fearless (1933) starring Buster Crabbe. He was 6 years old.

In the early 60s he went into the real estate business, retiring in 1985.

Child actor of the 30s whose career as a troublemaker didn't last much past his teens. Brother of child actress Betty Holt.

Had been cast as the lead in David Copperfield (1935), but producer David O. Selznick, who developed misgivings about having an American youngster portray a quintessentially British boy, gave the lead role to English child actor Freddie Bartholomew instead.

Younger brother Ricky Holt played the infant son of Melanie in Gone with the Wind (1939).

David was survived by his four children: Lamont Wilson, Janna Ryer, Hayley Martin and Tina Cardiel; and seven grandchildren.

Appeared in three movies nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Pride of the Yankees (1942), The Human Comedy (1943) and Battleground (1949).

Burial Details Unknown.