Russell Irving `` Russ '' Tamblyn ( born December 30 , 1934 ) is an American film and television actor and dancer , who is 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 .
Russell Irving `` Russ '' Tamblyn ( born December 30 , 1934 ) is an American movie and television actor and dancer . He is 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 .