(Note: This article was about Anissa Jones, Johnnie Whitaker and Marc Copage of Julia. I have snipped the parts about Copage but retained transitional paragraphs that mention all three children.)

What their TV kids know about them that their real kids don't
By Ruth Rockwell

Anissa Jones, Johnnie Whitaker and Marc Copage share a secret, even though they don't realize it: the secret of what their TV "parents" (or guardians) are like to work with. The stars' own children can never know this part of their parents' world.

The world of kids is a very special one, but for child stars (or "moppets" as they're called in show business), their working environment becomes, in some respects, a microcosm of the adult world. So, children in show business forfeit a part of their childhood in a way that non-acting children of show business parents do not.

To the three TV children of Brian (Keith) and Diahann (Carroll), the stars are adults, but they are co-workers rather than parents who can do no wrong. Although the relationship is not precisely that of equals (after all children are still children), it is much more of a one-to-one relationship than that between a "real life" parent and his child.

Children, of course, should not be on the same level as their parents, and those who permit their children to be equals make a drastic mistake. However, when a child earns large sums of money in an adult world (as these three youngsters do), the situation becomes subtly changed.

Much as the parents try to keep their children normal, it's a difficult job. Moppets are fussed over, catered to and fawned upon by well-meaning fans. Even stagehands and assistants are sometimes guilty of such behavior. All this attention makes the youngster aware of the power he wields over people. Certainly, the average child never faces this situation.

Anissa and Johnnie, two of the most unspoiled children you'll ever meet, refer to Brian as "Brian" and they call him that--not "Mr. Keith" or even "Uncle Brian." Example: Johnnie will tell you, most sincerely: Brian is like a real, true uncle to me."

What average small child is on a first-name basis with his uncle?

...

Johnnie is a much more loving and affectionate child than either Anissa or Marc, and for him it's relatively simple to play the part of the adoring nephew to Brian Keith's "Uncle Bill." Perhaps this is because, of the three children, he is the only one having a home life complete with two loving parents and a large brood of sisters and brothers. Whereas Anissa seems to wince when Brian, or anyone else for that matter, hugs or kisses her, Johnnie's reaction is exactly the opposite. Once, between Family Affair takes, Johnnie reached up and kissed Brian, saying: "I love you, Brian." Brian in turn picked up the boy and gave him a big, loving squeeze. Johnnie then asked his television uncle:

"What scene is this?"

Brian replied: "A real-life scene."

Johnnie's comment was: "Let's do it again."

As much as Brian and Diahann may adore their respective television children, they, too, realize the difference between them and their own offspring.

...

Brian, too, keeps his four children (Barbara, 9; Betty, 8; Rory, 6; Mimi, 5) completely away from the Hollywood spotlight, and although many children are used in various episodes of Family Affair, none of them are ever his. However, several seasons back, his wife, Judith, a former dancer, played a ballerina in one segment of the show.

The competitive world of show business is a reality to Anissa, Johnnie and Marc. They've been through the auditions, callbacks and rehearsals. But these worlds are only vague shadows to the real-life youngsters of Brian Keith and Diahann.

When Johnnie first learned he had the part in Family Affair, his feelings were mixed. A little girl had tested with him and the choice was between them (it hadn't been decided at the time whether the twins were to be two girls or a girl and a boy).

Johnnie, a sweet and generous child, wanted the little girl to get the part because he'd already had a big role, in the film The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming.

He moped around the house for several days, wishing the other child had been chosen and worrying his anxious mother, Thelma, with questions like:

"Will I have to work all my life?"

His parents decided that they would never force him into show business and were about to call off the whole thing when Johnnie's agent informed him that Brian Keith would be playing his uncle on the show. Johnnie and Brian had become great friends during the filming of The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming. All Johnnie had to hear was that Brian would be in the show. His little face lit up and he screamed delightedly:

"Brian Keith! Tell them I'll be on the show!"

All three of the children have a sense of responsibility far beyond their years. All are anxious to be at the set on time and arrive with their lines memorized, ready and willing to work. They worry over lines that don't come easily to them, and Johnnie, in particular, becomes panicked if he thinks he's going to be late in arriving on the set.

The education they receive on their set-side schools is second to none. In effect, they are receiving private tutoring, and when Johnnie and Anissa return to public school each year, when Family Affair is on hiatus, they find they are far ahead of their non-show business contemporaries.

...

The children realize they are part of two teams that turn out ratings-winning television shows week after week. They're proud, despite their tender years, to contribute their best to each show.

...

(Anissa and Johnnie) have a definite sense of pride in Family Affair and in their own professionalism. Both will get quite annoyed with themselves if either blows a line, even if one of their elders has just done likewise. Occasionally, they hold severe discussions, however, nobody has ever seen them fight with one another. Generally, if they're not studying or learning lines on the set, they play quiet games which they concentrate on and take almost as seriously as they do their acting.

...

One thing is certain: this is a world and a life that involves Brian and Diahann -- one that Brian's youngsters and Diahann's daughter will never see their parents in.

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