  russell irving "russ" tamblyn (born december 30, 1934) is an american film and television actor and dancer, who is arguably best known for his performance in title role of the 1958 tom thumb and the 1961 movie musical west side story as riff, the leader of the jets gang. he is also known for appearing in such films as seven brides for seven brothers, the war of the gargantuas, peyton place and the haunting, as well as for his portrayal of dr. lawrence jacoby in the television drama twin peaks. ==early life and career in films== tamblyn was born in los angeles, california, the son of actors sally aileen (triplett) and eddie tamblyn (edward francis tamblyn). he is the older brother of larry tamblyn, organist for the 1960s band the standells. discovered at the age of ten by actor lloyd bridges after acting in a play, tamblyn's first film appearance was a small non-speaking role in 1948's the boy with green hair. he also appeared on the ed sullivan show as a child. he portrayed the young saul in cecil b. demille's 1949 version of samson and delilah. he played the younger version of john dall's character in the 1950 film noir gun crazy. later the same year, he had a minor role as elizabeth taylor's younger brother in father of the bride, as well as in the following year's sequel, father's little dividend. he was also a young soldier in boot camp in 1953's take the high ground. his training as a gymnast in high school and abilities as an acrobat prepared him for his breakout role as gideon, the youngest brother, in 1954's seven brides for seven brothers. he appeared with glenn ford and broderick crawford in [[the fastest 
1934_births American_male_dancers American_male_film_actors American_male_stage_actors American_male_television_actors Living_people MGM_Records_artists Male_Western_(genre)_film_actors Male_actors_from_California Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer_contract_players