Introduction to Actor-Singer Eddie Hodges

Introduction to Eddie Hodges

Eddie Hodges (born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.A. in 1947), is presently a mental-health counselor and a former show business personality. He had been a child actor and recording artists during the 1950s-1960s. As an actor, he appeared in a stage production, his 1957 debut in the Broadway musical The Music Man, and films such as A Hole in the Head, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Summer Magic and The Happiest Millionaire. As a recording artist and singer, Hodges recorded for Cadence and Aurora labels, releasing songs such as  “I’m Gonna Knock on Your Door” and  “(Girls, Girls, Girls) Made to Love” during the early 60s music era, which has now become oldies music favorites. He left show business when he reached adulthood, studied psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi upon his return from the Army. He graduated there, and now works as a mental health counselor.

Did you know?

  • One of the youngest artists to ever appear on The Ed Sullivan Show was Eddie Hodges.
  • He made guest appearances in a number of TV episodes and motion pictures, such as “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” and “Bachelor Father.”
  • Hodges chose to leave the entertainment business in the 1970s to concentrate on his personal life and studies despite his popularity as a child star.
  • He has worked in a variety of industries, including construction and real estate, but he will always be remembered for his musical accomplishments.

Eddie Hodges’ early acting career

A child actor and a recording artist from the 1950’s and the 1960’s, Eddie Hodges was born Samuel Hodges on March 5, 1947 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1952 he and his family visited New York City where his life began to change, setting out for a career in show business.

Hodges initially started as a theater actor. He first set foot on stage in 1957, performing as Winthrop Paroo on the Broadway musical The Music Man which was created by Meredith Wilson. For his contributions to the soundtrack album of The Music Man, 12-year-old Hodges became the first artist from Mississippi to win a Grammy Award on its first ceremony in 1959.

Also in 1959, Hodges made his first movie appearance in the film A Hole in the Head which starred Frank Sinatra. After that, it was followed by numerous film appearances such as Summer Magic (1963), The Happiest Millionaire (1967) and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) where the he played the title role at the age of 13.

Hodges’ recording career

In the middle of 1959, Eddie recorded the song  “High Hopes” wherein he had a duet with Sinatra in A Hole in the Head. However, it was not released a single. Signing to Cadence Records in 1961, he released his first single “I’m Gonna Knock on Your Door” that would also become his biggest hit. The song registered at #12 on the national chart and #37 on the UK singles chart. Hodges’ second hit single, originally done by The Everly Brothers, “(Girls, Girls, Girls) Made to Love” was issued in the following year. His version made to both US and UK at #14 and #37 respectively.

Further singles were released on Cadence, Columbia and Aurora imprints up to the mid-1960s such as minor hits “Halfway,” “New Orleans,” and “Love Minus Zero.” He left the entertainment world for good and worked as a mental health counselor. In prior to that, he became a record producer, song writer, music publisher and a union musician.

Hodges’ song albums

  • I’m gonna knock on your door (1961)
  • Girls, Girls) Made to love (1961)
  • Bandit of my dreams (1962)
  • Seein’ is believin’ (1962)
  • Halfway (1963)
  • New orleans (1965)
  • Love minus zero (1965)
  • Hitch Hike (1965)
  • Shadows and reflexions (1967)
  • High hopes

Personal Life

Hodges served in a non-combat post while still in the United States after being enlisted into the Army in the late 1960s during the Vietnam War. He returned to Hollywood after being released from the military and lost interest in the entertainment industry. He decided to move back to Mississippi, where he was raised, and enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he earned his B.S. and M.S. in Psychology. in Counseling. He went on to specialize in mental health counseling and eventually left the profession after a long career. In 1998, he underwent a Catholic conversion.

In addition to two adult children and six grandchildren, he is divorced. Even though he cannot play the guitar owing to spinal nerve injury, he still creates songs and occasionally reconnects with his former show business friends. In 2005, Hodges survived Hurricane Katrina and assured his admirers that he was okay after going without water, electricity, and phone or internet service for 19 days until the utilities were ultimately restored.

Conclusion

Eddie Hodges was a gifted musician and performer who had a big impact on the entertainment business. His success as a child star in the 1960s demonstrated his singing and acting prowess, and his contributions to popular music are still remembered and appreciated today. His work served as an inspiration to a new generation of performers and made a significant contribution to the business. Eddie Hodges’ legacy lives on even though he may not be actively performing any longer, serving as a constant reminder of his brilliance, passion, and devotion to his trade.