Rusty Hamer, Former Child TV Actor, Dies

DERIDDER, La. - Rusty Hamer, the child actor in the television series ``Make Room for Daddy'' in the 1950s and '60s, has died at age 43 of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, his brother said.

Hamer was found dead in his home yesterday.

``He was a very unhappy, very confused young man,'' John Hamer said. ``I've heard of a lot of child actors who have become unhappy with their lives after they've left the industry.''

On the TV series, Rusty Hamer played the part of Rusty, and Danny Thomas played his father, a nightclub singer and comedian.

The show was one of television's most durable and popular situation comedies. Most of the cast, including Hamer, returned in 1970-71 with a sequel, ``Make Room For Granddaddy,'' in which Rusty was a married medical student.

Hamer returned to southwest Louisiana in 1976. He had held several different jobs since semi-retirement from show business, said John Hamer.