Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tamblyn was trained as a gymnast in his youth. He began his career as a child actor for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Tamblyn appeared in the musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954). He subsequently portrayed Norman Page in the drama "Peyton Place" (1957), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. This led to Tamblyn being cast in leading roles, such as in the crime film "High School Confidential" (1958), and in the title role of "Tom Thumb" (1958).