Tamblyn portrayed Norman Page in the film of "Peyton Place" (1957) at 20th Century Fox, opposite Lana Turner and Diane Varsi. For his performance in the film he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He was then given a star role at MGM, playing Tony Baker in "High School Confidential" (1958). The film was a solid hit. Also successful was the musical "Tom Thumb" (1958) made for George Pal, in which Tamblyn was cast in the title role. His career momentum was interrupted when he was drafted into the US army in 1958.