Pamelyn Ferdin on Anissa Jones: the biggest prima donna I ever worked with

[TMC]

From Facebook: Pamelyn Ferdin was a finalist for Buffy on Family Affair, but they went with Anissa Jones because she and Johnny Whitaker resembled twins. But producers liked Pamelyn's curly pigtail look, so they borrowed it for Buffy. As Pamelyn tells it:

Before production began on Family Affair, the show's hairstylist was instructed to put Anissa’s wavy, shoulder-length hair into pigtails “like Pamelyn Ferdin’s.” With the success of the show, my signature hairstyle became Anissa’s too. I wore my hair in pigtails in my first appearance on the show but when I returned for my second, my mother was told that on Family Affair those pigtails now belonged exclusively to Anissa. To add insult to injury, Anissa never liked the pigtails, remarking to me once that they looked like a pig's nose. I think pigs are beautiful, noses and all, but I got the impression she didn’t.

Incidentally, I never begrudged Anissa beating me out for the role of Buffy, but I do admit I never cared for her. I was given a warm welcome each time I did the show, but never by Anissa. Over the run of the series, she seemed to grow more “full of herself” and openly dismissive of people she didn’t like. Between scenes I’d go over my lines by myself or with the other actors, but never with Anissa who boasted that she memorized hers each morning on the drive to the studio. Instead, her attention was focused on what she was going to wear in the next scene. There were racks of clothes for her to look over and she’d examine them all before pulling out an outfit and declaring “This is what I want to wear.” I never had it in me to be a prima donna, but I met quite a few child stars who were, and Anissa surpassed them all. I can’t comment on her personal troubles but when Anissa turned to drugs and died at 18 of a massive overdose I felt sorry for her, but I can’t honestly say I was surprised.

In contrast, Pamelyn says Brian Keith was one of the favorite people with whom she ever worked.

[biffbronson]

Anissa was incredibly well-cast for the Family Affair role. Regarding Ms. Ferdin: as seen in a 1966 episode of My Three Sons, Pamelyn was a good little actress who played a bratty child very well. But she was not adorable. Anissa, when FA began, was an amazingly adorable child and the right choice to play Buffy.

[RKORadio]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Anissa was incredibly well-cast for the Family Affair role. Regarding Ms. Ferdin: as seen in a 1966 episode of My Three Sons, Pamelyn was a good little actress who played a bratty child very well. But she was not adorable. Anissa, when FA began, was an amazingly adorable child and the right choice to play Buffy.

A lot of other girls would have auditioned to be the Buffster - wonder if any then current or future famous names?

[biffbronson]

In an interview, Johnny Whitaker stated that Erin Moran was considered for the role.

Let's have a look at the children's ages based on d.o.b.:

Anissa Jones: March 11, 1958
Pamelyn Ferdin: Feb. 4, 1959
Johnny Whitaker: Dec. 13, 1959
Erin Moran: Oct. 18, 1960

[RKORadio]

Susan Neher (Lana in an FA ep) would have been good.

Moran didn't have the looks to be an appealing Buffy to families who watched.

Originally Posted by biffbronson

In an interview, Johnny Whitaker stated that Erin Moran was considered for the role.

Let's have a look at the children's ages based on d.o.b.:

Anissa Jones: March 11, 1958
Pamelyn Ferdin: Feb. 4, 1959
Johnny Whitaker: Dec. 13, 1959
Erin Moran: Oct. 18, 1960