In Memory of '13 Ghosts' Former Child Star Charles Herbert: Nine Years After His Tragic Death

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Overview

It's been nine years since former child star Charles Herbert died at only 66 of a heart attack in 2015. Best known for horror/science fiction movies including director William Castle's 1960 classic, 13 Ghosts, Herbert experienced various personal and financial challenges throughout his life and career.

A Closer Look

Charles Herbert was born Charles Herbert Saperstein on December 23, 1948, in Culver City, Los Angeles, California, to Pearl Jean (Diamond) and Louis Saperstein. His father had a heart condition, and his mother, an Austrian Jewish immigrant, served as her husband's primary caregiver. Herbert's paternal grandparents were Russian Jews.

As did many actors of all ages at the time, Herbert changed his family name to camouflage his ethnicity.

In 1952, a 4-year-old Herbert was with his mother on a bus, where he was spotted by a talent agent who soon after cast him in a television show titled, Half Pint Panel. From there, the young thespian would go on to make over 50 other TV appearances. Those included sitcoms headed by Robert Cummings and Gale Storm, the anthology series, Science Fiction Theatre, and several commercials.

Herbert also found great success on the big screen with movies such as The Long, Long Trailer (1954), Houseboat (1958), The Fly (1959), and Please Don't Eat the Daisies, which was released the same year as 13 Ghosts.

By around this time, Herbert was at the peak of his career, earning a significant weekly salary, making him one of the most sought-after and highest-paid child actors.

However, Herbert experienced a series of challenging life experiences similar to that of Jackie Coogan, another famed former child star.

For one, Herbert managed to save only a small portion of his money, most of which went directly to his guardians/parents.

Decades later, Herbert died of a heart attack, eerily on Halloween in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Conclusion

Though he faced several struggles throughout his life and career, fortunately, in his last years, Herbert received a great deal of assistance from actor and former child star Paul Petersen. Peterson, best known from TV's The Donna Reed Show, had played Herbert's brother in Houseboat and later went on to form "A Minor Consideration," a dedicated nonprofit organization that advocates for and helps former child stars.