Rusty Hamer (February 15, 1947 January 18, 1990) was an American actor. Born in Tenafly, New Jersey, he grew up on TV as the freckle faced son of TV Dad, Danny Thomas, on Make Room for Daddy (1953, 1964). As a young 5-year-old child actor his wise-cracking behavior made him a popular character during the show's 335 episode run. Thomas would later publicly praise the child's extraordinary comic timing.
He attempted a brief return to show business as a medical student (in the show Danny Thomas in Make Room for Grandaddy, 1970, 1971) but the show was cancelled after one season. Rusty died of a single gunshot wound to the head from 357 Magnum in DeRidder, Louisiana. He had reportedly become deeply depressed and delusional with few prospects ahead of him.