Paul Petersen had a far greater impact than he knows. He sang the popular song "My Dad" on The Donna Reed Show in 1962. The song's high popularity was significant given that World War II vets now had teenaged children, the babyboomers. Having babies and very young children was very healing for the WWII vets. As children grew and reached the difficult teen years, it's highly probable that the vets felt lonely and unneeded. Paul's song rekindled respect and warmth for the vet dads. Our nation thanks you, Paul. Well done!
Paul Peterson was adorable when young, I remember American Bandstand,, I was a dreamer then,.... Paul is quite adorable now!!! and I still am a dreamer, LOL :)
Ohhh man ! A Cobra with extra racing equipment for 10 thousand !!! Wish I had a time machine. I'd go back and buy 10 of them, then bring them to now and sell them.
I remember talking with a girl years ago about old TV shows-and she said she saw the Donna Reed show all the time because she loved Paul Petersen. I smiled and told her that my reasons for seeing the Donna Reed show were very similar...but at the same time very different.(Chuckle!)
Such a great interview! I just finished S01E23 of the show. I'd never seen it before. The writing is pretty uneven and some shows aren't great. Even in those episodes it's still fun to see Donna Reed and the family. Jeff is energetic in his acting and always fun to watch. The seasons are looong, 275 total in 8 seasons. Amazon Prime current has the first 4 seasons, Tubi and The Roku channel have 5. I had never looked into to Paul Petersen's background until recently. I had no idea he also sang.
People are always talking about the horrible treatment of child actors & how many lose their way when they are no longer wanted by the entertainment industry. Simply because they grew up or they became type cast in their star maker role was never offered work as a grownup , in the industry. But no shows talk enough about the work Paul Petersen has done for decades in regards to this cause. In 1990, Petersen established the organization A Minor Consideration to support child stars and other child laborers through legislation, family education, and personal intervention and counseling for those in crisis. The organization helps them finish school if need be, find jobs, get off drugs etc. I can count on 1 hand they shows that brought him on to discuss this. I also know he reached out to Todd Bridges who played Willis on "Different Strokes" when he was repeatedly in trouble and trying to find his way. *Paul's last name is spelled with an "e" Petersen.
Adoption service! Back then women didn't automatically snuff out the life of their unwaited children through abortion - they allowed childless couples the wonderful opportunity to raise a precious child. Imagine that ...
I would not mind having $10,000 today, although it would be considered peanuts compared to back then. But that was quite an amount of money for a car. That is great young Paul was involved in great caused back then as well. I never saw the Donna Reed show.
He was such a cheese whiz. Couldn’t sing to save his life. Thank goodness the Beatles came along and saved us from crap like “she can’t find her keys” 🙄
Paul Petersen has more class in his little finger than the Beatles ever had. And while they helped give us the drug problem we have today, Petersen founded an organization that helps child actors return to life when Hollywood says their careers are finished.
Paul Petersen had a far greater impact than he knows. He sang the popular song "My Dad" on The Donna Reed Show in 1962. The song's high popularity was significant given that World War II vets now had teenaged children, the babyboomers. Having babies and very young children was very healing for the WWII vets. As children grew and reached the difficult teen years, it's highly probable that the vets felt lonely and unneeded. Paul's song rekindled respect and warmth for the vet dads. Our nation thanks you, Paul. Well done!
Paul Peterson was adorable when young, I remember American Bandstand,, I was a dreamer then,.... Paul is quite adorable now!!! and I still am a dreamer, LOL :)
He was really good looking and I loved his records!
At the very beginning of the chip CHARLIE O'DONNELL! The voice of Tic Tac Dough and Wheeeeeeel of Fortune!
RIP Charlie O'Donnell AND Dick Clark!
Ohhh man ! A Cobra with extra racing equipment for 10 thousand !!! Wish I had a time machine. I'd go back and buy 10 of them, then bring them to now and sell them.
I remember talking with a girl years ago about old TV shows-and she said she saw the Donna Reed show all the time because she loved Paul Petersen. I smiled and told her that my reasons for seeing the Donna Reed show were very similar...but at the same time very different.(Chuckle!)
great guy / always devoted to the protection of children.
My Dad is quite a touching, crafted song.
Both Dick Clark and Paul Petersen were so young and handsome; but then who isn't when they're young?!
guy is IMPRESSIVE (more than just a "pretty face" w/involvement humanitarian causes THEN & NOW!)
he still owns it to!!
Such a great interview! I just finished S01E23 of the show. I'd never seen it before. The writing is pretty uneven and some shows aren't great. Even in those episodes it's still fun to see Donna Reed and the family. Jeff is energetic in his acting and always fun to watch. The seasons are looong, 275 total in 8 seasons. Amazon Prime current has the first 4 seasons, Tubi and The Roku channel have 5. I had never looked into to Paul Petersen's background until recently. I had no idea he also sang.
I still have a crush on Paul!
I saw the Caravan of Stars, my first concert
Happy Birthday Paul!
I still have a crush on paul
mickey rooney walk up to paul peterson home and to him go to college and the rest is history
Wish someone would post 'Hey There Beautiful'..a really great song by Paul Peterson that was a nice hit in 1965. It's a gem...check it out.
I have an MP3 of it; if you can send me your e-mail address, I'd be happy to send a copy.
MrManorAvenue rockerm1945@gmail.com....thanks so much.
I wonder why he never became a movie star? He was a good natural actor! I also wonder what $10K would be in today's money?
Hi Paul Petersen
a ford cobra for 10K??? that wouldn't even buy the hood at todays prices! lol
Today, it's about $101,000. 8 years ago, when you asked this question, it would've been about $78,000.
I wonder if he had the 289 or the 427 Cobra?
P.S.: PeterSEN, not PeterSON.
People are always talking about the horrible treatment of child actors & how many lose their way when they are no longer wanted by the entertainment industry. Simply because they grew up or they became type cast in their star maker role was never offered work as a grownup , in the industry. But no shows talk enough about the work Paul Petersen has done for decades in regards to this cause. In 1990, Petersen established the organization A Minor Consideration to support child stars and other child laborers through legislation, family education, and personal intervention and counseling for those in crisis. The organization helps them finish school if need be, find jobs, get off drugs etc. I can count on 1 hand they shows that brought him on to discuss this. I also know he reached out to Todd Bridges who played Willis on "Different Strokes" when he was repeatedly in trouble and trying to find his way. *Paul's last name is spelled with an "e" Petersen.
terry wheatley exactly! lol
It's actually Paul Petersen not Peterson but who's correcting.
shoot, i wanted to hear what the number 1 song was!
“Remember” or “Remember (Walking in the Sand),” by the Shangri-Las
I just found out it is spelt Petersen.
Coolest cat of the Sixties, Paul, that is.
Adoption service! Back then women didn't automatically snuff out the life of their unwaited children through abortion - they allowed childless couples the wonderful opportunity to raise a precious child. Imagine that ...
Exactly, Joe John!
LOL...$10 grand for a cobra!! What will that get you today?
I would not mind having $10,000 today, although it would be considered peanuts compared to back then. But that was quite an amount of money for a car. That is great young Paul was involved in great caused back then as well. I never saw the Donna Reed show.
He was such a cheese whiz. Couldn’t sing to save his life. Thank goodness the Beatles came along and saved us from crap like “she can’t find her keys” 🙄
Sour grapes ?
Paul Petersen has more class in his little finger than the Beatles ever had. And while they helped give us the drug problem we have today, Petersen founded an organization that helps child actors return to life when Hollywood says their careers are finished.