In a nostalgic journey through the golden
era of Hollywood, we pay tribute to the iconic "Our Gang" series, better known as "The Little
Rascals." These endearing and mischievous child actors
captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with their timeless humor and charm. Sadly, time has taken its toll on the beloved
cast, leaving just one surviving member to carry the torch of their legacy. Join us as we explore the life and career
of the cast of Little Rascal, cherishing the memories of a bygone era that continues to
enchant generations. Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas
Born in Los Angeles on March 12, 1931, William Thomas Jr. first graced the screen in the
1934 Our Gang shorts, starting as a background character. Originally portrayed by Carlena Beard, Matthew
"Stymie" Beard's younger sister, the "Buckwheat" character was a girl who gradually transitioned
into a boy. Thomas's portrayal of Buckwheat, complete
with speech impediment, traditional African-American "pickaninny" attire, bowed pigtails, oversized
sweater, and large boots, would later be considered highly controversial. At 23, Thomas enlisted in the US Army, and
after his service, he decided to leave acting behind. Nevertheless, Billie maintained his passion
for film, working as a film lab technician at Technicolor Corporation and later pursuing
film editing and cutting. Tragically, at the age of 49, Billie suffered
a heart condition in his Los Angeles apartment and passed away in October 1980. George Robert Phillips McFarland
Born on October 2, 1928, in Dallas, George Robert Phillips McFarland began his career
as a child model for a local department store, appearing in Wonder Bread print ads and on
Dallas highway billboards. McFarland's Aunt Dottie answered a Hal Roach
Studios ad for "cute kids," and he was subsequently cast as Spanky. The nickname originated from his mother, who
cautioned him not to misbehave in Roach's office by saying, "Spanky, mustn't touch." As he grew older, he became affectionately
known as "Spank." In the series, Spanky was famous as the president
of the "He-Man Women Hater's Club." At 24, McFarland exited show business and
joined the United States Air Force. Struggling to break free from the Spanky stereotype,
he worked various jobs at a soft drink plant, hamburger stand, and popsicle factory. He later became a popular speaker, reminiscing
about his days as a Little Rascal. His final television appearance was in 1993
on the Cheers episode "Woody Gets An Election," where he played himself. He died of a heart attack in June that year,
aged 64. In January 1994, McFarland was posthumously
honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Matthew "Stymie" Beard
Born in Los Angeles on January 1, 1925, Matthew Beard Jr. began his acting career as an infant,
appearing in numerous films before landing the role of "Stymie" in Our Gang. Initially named "Hercules," director Robert
McGowan rechristened the character "Stymie," inspired by young Beard's curious explorations
around the studio. Sporting a bald head and an oversized derby
hat, Stymie became a memorable character. The hat was a gift from comedian Stan Laurel,
who had worked with Our Gang creator Hal Roach. After leaving the series at age 10, Beard
secured a few minor roles in films like The Return of Frank James and Captain Blood, alongside
fellow child star and Our Gang alumnus Jackie Cooper. He retired from acting during high school. Tragically, Beard later developed a heroin
addiction. However, he managed to turn his life around
and, after rehabilitation, made guest appearances on Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and had
a recurring role on Good Times as "Monty." In 1978, he was featured in The Buddy Holly
Story, wearing his iconic bowler hat. Beard remained sober, giving lectures on drug
abuse awareness. Sadly, he suffered a stroke on January 3,
1981, and sustained head injuries after falling down a flight of stairs. He passed away from pneumonia five days later
at the age of 56. Beard was laid to rest with the derby hat
that accompanied him throughout his life, dating back to his Stymie days. Billy "Froggy" Laughlin
Born in San Gabriel, California on July 5, 1932, William Robert Laughlin found fame at
just 8 years old when he joined Our Gang in 1940. Laughlin's character, Froggy, was characterized
by his peculiar, frog-like voice, which Laughlin himself produced. After Our Gang ended production in 1944, Laughlin
appeared in Johnny Doesn't Live Here Any More (1944) before leaving show business to enjoy
his adolescence. Tragically, while delivering newspapers on
the back of a scooter gifted by his parents just two weeks prior, Laughlin was struck
by a speeding truck near his La Puente, California, home. He passed away on August 31, 1948, at the
tender age of 16, making him the youngest Our Gang actor to die. Eugene "Porky" Lee
Born on October 25, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas, Eugene Lee and his family made their way to
Culver City, California. Hal Roach noticed the striking resemblance
between the 18-month-old toddler and Our Gang star Spanky McFarland, who also hailed from
Texas. Consequently, Lee joined the cast as Spanky's
younger brother, earning the nickname "Porky." However, by early 1939, a growth spurt made
five-year-old Lee taller than the 10-year-old McFarland, leading to his replacement by Mickey
Gubitosi, who later became known as Robert Blake. Lee quit the entertainment business and became
a teacher at Broomfield High School in Colorado. He changed his name to Gordon Lee, which was
the name of his favorite Our Gang director, Gordon Douglas, to get away from his acting
past. Lee died of lung and brain cancer on October
16, 2005. He was 71 years old. Mickey "Mickey" Gubitosi
Born as Michael James Gubitosi on September 18, 1933, in Nutley, New Jersey, Robert Blake
and his siblings joined their parents in a song-and-dance act called "The Three Little
Hillbillies" in 1936. The family relocated to Los Angeles in 1938,
where the children began working as movie extras. At nine years old, Blake replaced Porky in
The Little Rascals as Mickey, eventually becoming Spanky's best friend and the group's leader. Despite his Italian heritage, adult roles
often saw Robert Blake cast as a Native American or Latino character. After serving in the Army, Blake returned
to acting and gained fame as an undercover police officer in the TV series Baretta. However, his life took a difficult turn following
the loss of his wife and facing legal scrutiny for nearly a decade. Although he published a memoir titled "Tales
of a Rascal: What I Did for Love," public opinion on Blake remained unchanged. The former child actor, who gained fame in
movies and TV shows, had his legacy marred by suspicion surrounding the unsolved murder
of his second wife. Tragically, he passed away on March 9, 2023. Mildred Kornma Kornman was among the few remaining people
from the silent films, having participated in over 20 "Our Gang" comedy shorts from 1926-1935,
her career spanning both the Silent and Sound Eras. After leaving "Our Gang," Kornman appeared
in a dozen uncredited feature films from 1937-1962. As a rare surviving actor who worked with
Laurel and Hardy, she transitioned into high-fashion modeling in the 1940s under the pseudonym
Ricki VanDusen. She graced the covers of prestigious magazines
like Bazaar and Vogue and posed for renowned photographers like Irving Penn. Over the years, Kornman attended numerous
fan conventions, where she was a popular guest. Reflecting on her enduring appeal in a 2015
interview with The Guardian, she noted, "Everything, when it gets older, becomes more popular." She passed away on August 19 at the age of
97, as reported by her longtime friend Robert Satterfield Jerry Tucker
Born as Jerome Harold Schatz in Chicago, Illinois, Tucker's German Jewish surname was changed
for his acting career. He first showed up in the Our Gang short "Shiver
My Timbers" in 1931. Subsequently, he was in many more episodes
until he left the show after the 1938 short "Three Men in a Tub." Apart from Our Gang, Tucker played a spoiled
rich kid in Marie Dressler's film Prosperity and appeared as one of Mother Peep's children
in Laurel & Hardy's 1934 feature film Babes in Toyland. He also starred alongside Shirley Temple in
Captain January in 1936, portraying a know-it-all boy who forgets his test answers. Tucker served in the United States Navy during
World War II and the Korean War, stationed aboard the USS Sigsbee. He sustained an injury that left him with
a limp when his ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze during WWII. After the war, he married Myra K. Heino and
enjoyed a successful career as an electrical engineer at RCA before retiring. Tucker died of natural causes on November
23, 2016, at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, New York, at the age
of 91. Darla Hood
Born on November 8, 1931, in Leedey, Oklahoma, Darla Hood was introduced to singing and dancing
by her mother at a young age. For her third birthday, they traveled to New
York in pursuit of fame in the arts. Hal Roach Studios casting director Joe Rivkin
cast her as Darla in the Our Gang shorts. She is best remembered for her flirtatious
demeanor, as she was often the object of affection for Alfalfa, Butch, and Waldo. After leaving Our Gang, Hood continued her
education and formed a vocal group called the Enchanters while in high school. Rivkin, who had discovered her years earlier,
cast her in her last film role in 1959's The Bat, where she played a secretary alongside
Vincent Price and Agnes Moorehead. Even after all those years, the Little Rascals
remained a part of her life. She had an appendectomy while planning a 1980
Little Rascals reunion. However, on June 13, 1979, she died of heart
failure at the age of 47. Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer
Born on August 7, 1927, in Paris, Illinois, Carl Dean Switzer and his brother Harold gained
local fame for their musical talents. In 1934, the Switzers visited California to
see family and ended up taking a tour of Hal Roach Studios, where The Little Rascals was
filmed. After the tour, the young brothers dined at
the Our Gang cafe and gave an impromptu performance. Roach happened to be present and was so impressed
that he signed them both immediately. Carl was given the nickname "Alphalfa," which
later evolved into "Alfalfa." After exiting the series in 1940, Switzer
struggled with typecasting and had difficulty finding roles. He appeared in small roles and B movies as
an adult. Eventually, he left the entertainment industry
and became a dog breeder and hunting guide. In January 1959, Switzer met a tragic end
when he was fatally shot during a dispute over $50 and a hunting dog. Sidney Kibrick
Sidney Kibrick, known for his role as "Woim" in "Our Gang," left Hollywood at just 11 years
old, but his fame has persisted for decades. Now 94 years old, Kibrick is one of the last
surviving cast members. In a recent interview with Fox News Digital,
he shared his discovery story, his experiences on set, and his thoughts on the alleged "Our
Gang" curse. Kibrick was discovered during the Great Depression
while on his way to the theater with his mother. A man approached them and asked if he'd like
to be in a movie, and his parents agreed. Soon after, he was working alongside Shirley
Temple in his first film. After leaving show business, Kibrick became
a successful builder, developing properties in Palm Springs. In 1981, he organized a reunion, which brought
together many "Our Gang" cast members and thousands of fans. Leonard Maltin served as the master of ceremonies,
and the event showcased the enduring popularity of the show. Reflecting on his time as an actor, Sidney
is content with the experiences and friendships he gained, but he ultimately desired a more
ordinary life. After convincing his parents that he no longer
wanted to act, he left the industry for good. There you have it. It's now time to hear from you. Which one of the cast members was your favorite?
