Joey D. Vieira, who found fame as a child star playing the farm boy Sylvester “Porky” Brockway on the first four seasons of the classic TV series Lassie, and who also appeared in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, has died at the age of 80. The actor died on Monday (April 7) in hospice care but his death is only being made public now. No cause of death has been issued. The sad news was confirmed by his Lassie co-star Jon Provost who announced it on Facebook.
“What a hell of a week it’s been. An original Lassie cast member, Joey Vieira, “Porky”, passed last night. I received a call from his daughter Shanyn that he entered hospice a couple of days ago. I met Joey when I was seven years old when I started Lassie, we hit it off and remain friends forever. Joey was a great guy, a talented actor and even a successful record producer. Joey has joined his son Beau in heaven,” Jon wrote.
Fans were saddened by the news and took to the comments to share their condolences under the announcement. “I so enjoyed him as Porky on the show. Just a real cute kid,” one penned.
“May he rest well. I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend, Jon; and my deepest condolences to his family,” another wrote.
A third chimed in: “So sorry to hear the passing of Joey “Porky”. I always enjoyed watching him on Lassie. RIP.”
“As an overweight child, I identified with both Larry Mondelo and Porky. We’re all in the line awaiting heaven. God be with you in all comfort and good memories of your friend,” a fourth commented.
The nephew of Hollywood musicals legend Ruby Keeler, Joey was billed as Donald Keeler during his time on Lassie. He apearred in 91 episodes of the family drama from 1954 until 1957. The show won two Emmys during his time on it and he and costar Tommy Rettig jointly accepted the second one at the awards ceremony in 1956.
His character’s trademark look was a beanie hat and after his run on the show he appeared in episodes of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Shirley Temple’s Storybook and My Three Sons, playing characters which resembled Porky, leading to disillusionment. “I can’t tell you how tired I got saying those same lines over and over again. Finally I decided that I’d had it with the tennis shoes and the beanie,” ,” he said in a 1982 interview. He decamped from America to England where he lived for a year.
Upon his return to Hollywood he appeared in notable films such as 1969’s Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, 1986’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, where he memorably played the pizza man, 1988’s Red Heat and 2000’s The Patriot.
He also worked as a record producer, composer and director of TV commercials and corporate promotional videos.
