Child Actor. He received his fame for being an American child actor of the early 20th century. Known as "The Cry Baby of Hollywood" for his ability to shed buckets of tears on a director's command, he is best remembered for his role of Pee-Wee in "Boys Town" in 1938. Born Robert Ball Watson, the son of actor J. C. Watson, he was perhaps the best-known of the nine Watson children, who together appeared in over 1,000 films. His father nicknamed him "Bobs" to distinguish him from another actor named Bob Watson. He began his acting career in an uncredited 1932 role in "Life Begins" as the infant son of Harry. This followed with mostly uncredited roles, in such films as "Life Begins at Forty" in 1935, "Show Boat" in 1936, and "In Old Chicago" and "Maytime" both in 1937. Not only was he noticed by the critics for his role in "Boys Town", he also became good friends with actor Spencer Tracy, who played the role of Father Flanagan in the film, and the real Father Flanagan, who was on the set as technical advisor. Tracy, who he would forever call "Uncle Spence," would often hug him between takes and talk with him, and he admired how Father Flanagan worked with the other boys, observing how he imparted God's love to them, which would make a lasting impression on him. Although he continued to act, through his teen years and the twenties, showing up in such films as "Calling Dr. Kildare" and "Blackmail" both in 1939 and "Hi, Buddy" in 1943, he always asked himself if there was something more to life than acting. In 1962, at the age of 32, he entered the Claremont School of Theology, becoming a Methodist minister. He would serve God until his retirement in June of 1997, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, serving mostly in Burbank, California. Though he fully recognized his spiritual calling, he would also continue to act during the 1960s and 1970s in such television shows as" The Lucy Show," "The Twilight Zone," "The Virginian", "The FBI," "Green Acres," and the "Beverly Hillbillies." He had a small role in his last movie "Grand Theft Auto" in 1977 playing himself, and was credited as the Reverend Bobs Watson. He attributed his success in life to Father Flanagan, of whom he once said "Father Flanagan was many things, but mostly, he was a man who didn't care what denomination you were. I was a seven-year-old Methodist, but all he saw was a boy who, like all boys, needed to be loved, and he loved me, and I loved him back. Frankly, I think that is how God intended us all to behave."