All in the Family: Ruby Keeler, Ken Weatherwax and Joey D. Vieira

Ruby Keeler and Nephews Ken Weatherwax and Joey D. Vieira

Actress/singer/dancer Ruby Keeler was most famously paired with Dick Powell in the iconic Warner Brothers’ Busby Berkeley musicals — including 42nd StreetGold Diggers of 1933Footlight Parade and Dames.

Keeler also happens to be the aunt of Ken Weatherwax who played Pugsley in The Addams Family, and Joey D. Vieira who played “Porky” Brockway in the TV series Lassie.

Ruby Keeler is the aunt of Ken Weatherwax (aka Pugsley on Addams Family) & Joey D Vieira (aka Porky on TVs Lassie)

Aunt Ruby Keeler and her two nephews: Joey D Vieira (as Porky) on the left and Ken Weatherwax (as Pugsley) on the right

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub

This entry was posted in All in the Family (Family Connections), Child Stars, Posts by Annmarie Gatti, TV Roles and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to All in the Family: Ruby Keeler, Ken Weatherwax and Joey D. Vieira

  1. Very interesting.

    Leslie Nielsen had a famous actor uncle in Jean Hersholt, star of Greed, Grand Hotel, the Dr. Christian series, and man for whom the Academy named their humanitarian award.

    An extra trivia tie in here is that Ms. Keeler was born in Nova Scotia and Mr. Nielsen in Saskatchewan.

    • Oh thanks so much for the information. I had no idea that Leslie Nielsen was related to Jean Hersholt! Very interesting indeed. I really get such a kick out of this type of fun fact.

  2. Ashley Hinz says:

    I knew about the Nielsen/Hersholt connection, but I was not aware of the Keeler nephews. The Weatherwax family were dog trainers. They owned the Lassie dogs, always male, that were used in the television show, and I believe, in the older films.

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