**Brandon De Wilde (1942-1972)** was an American actor, noted for his intense performances from childhood into young adulthood.

His career began on Broadway with "The Member of the Wedding," a role he reprised in the 1952 film adaptation. He achieved international fame with the iconic role of Joey Starrett in the Western "Shane" (1953), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

He continued to shine in films such as "Hud" (1963), where he portrayed Lonnie, the morally conflicted nephew. De Wilde was known for embodying sensitive, introspective, and often vulnerable characters, who served as a moral conscience or as innocent eyes through which the viewer perceived events. His ability to convey emotional depth at a young age made him an unforgettable figure in American cinema.