Whatever Happened to Paul Petersen, Jeff Stone on ‘The Donna Reed Show’?

Paul Petersen Donna Reed Show graphic — Everett Collection

For eight seasons, Paul Petersen starred as Jeff Stone in the classic television series, The Donna Reed Show. However, it’s what this man has done since that time that is the real story here.

Let’s begin in 1955. Paul was one of the original Disney Mouseketeers for all of three weeks; he was then summarily dismissed, as he revealed in his book, Walt, Mickey and Me. Apparently, the young actor had a disagreement with someone else on the show and before you could say, “Hey there, hi there, ho there, you’re as welcome as can be,” Paul was no longer wearing mouse ears.

Thankfully, he’d already found work on the classic Cary Grant–Sophia Loren flick, Houseboat. And, right around the same time, it’s also when Paul began work on The Donna Reed Show.

THE DONNA REED SHOW, from left: Shelley Fabares, Carl Betz, Donna Reed, Paul Petersen, (1958), 1958-66.

Shelley Fabares, Carl Betz, Donna Reed and Paul Petersen. Credit: Everett Collection

Additionally, Paul was able to parlay his fame on the TV show to launch a recording career. For the next few years, he seemed to be just as successful on the pop music charts and something of a teen heartthrob.

After The Donna Reed Show ended, Paul discovered, as many young actors do, that it was difficult finding work as he aged. I remember seeing him in the TV movie Gidget Grows Up, starring as Moondoggie opposite Karen Valentine. There were other guest appearances, as well; F Troop, Today’s FBI, and The Flying Nun are the first ones that come to mind. But at the end of the day, steady work as an actor was tough to find. Everyone just saw him as Jeff Stone, Donna’s boy.

THE DONNA REED SHOW, (from left): Paul Petersen, Shelley Fabares, Donna Reed, Carl Betz, (1961), 1958-66.

Everett Collection

So, Paul decided to go back to school, get a degree, and before you knew it, he was writing novels. However, when I said what Paul did after acting was the real story, I wasn’t referring to his work as an author. Nope. To provide a true update on Paul, I’ve got to talk about another young actor.

Rusty Hamer was a young man who had experienced a ton of success early on with the television show Make Room for Daddy. However, after that show ended, Rusty, just like Paul, struggled to find work — and even more concerning, he struggled with his identity and his feelings of self-worth. Sadly, in early 1990, Rusty died by suicide.

It was Rusty’s tragic story, along with so many other similar ones, that caused Paul to create the non-profit foundation A Minor Consideration, which, to this day, aims to provide guidance, support, and yes, even friendship to young performers — past, present and future. Case in point: over the past few years, as I’ve researched stories on child stars like Johnny Crawford and Tommy Kirk, I have found news articles where Paul Petersen has been a spokesperson for these actors or sometimes for their grieving families.

THE DONNA REED SHOW, Paul Petersen, Donna Reed, Shelley Fabares, Carl Betz, 1958-1966

Everett Collection

I remember a few years back, when I put together a video about Erin Moran — yep, good old Joanie Cunningham from Happy Days. At the time of her passing, Paul had this to say: “We pulled our weight with Erin. I am proud of our efforts over the years to help Erin Moran, whose troubles were many and complex. Don’t doubt for a moment that we tried, sincerely tried through time and treasure to give comfort to one of our own.”

At this point, I really think it’s fair to say that Paul Petersen’s legacy isn’t about his acting or his musical career. Instead, it’s about what he does for people who have walked down a path similar to his own. Paul is a special feller and a credit to the entertainment industry. Mr. Petersen, I salute you and your efforts.