Carl Switzer - wikipedia Carl Switzer Carl Switzer Switzer in Our Gang Follies of 1938 Carl Dean Switzer ( 1927 - 08 - 08 ) August 8, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.S. January 21, 1959 ( 1959 - 01 - 21 ) ( aged 31 ) Mission Hills, California, U.S. Cause of death Gunshot wound ruled as justifiable homicide Resting place Hollywood Forever Cemetery Nationality American Other names Alfalfa Switzer Occupation Actor, dog breeder, hunting guide Years active 1935 -- 1958 Known for Portraying Alfalfa in Our Gang Spouse ( s ) Diantha M. Collingwood ( m. 1954 -- 56 ) Children Relatives Harold Switzer ( brother ) Carl Dean Switzer ( August 8, 1927 -- January 21, 1959 ) was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide. Switzer began his career as a child actor in the mid-1930s appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series ' most popular and best - remembered characters. After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting. As an adult, he appeared mainly in bit parts and B - movies. He later became a dog breeder and hunting guide. Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing in 1956. In January 1959, he was fatally shot by an acquaintance over a dispute about money. Contents 1 Early life and family 2 Career 2.1 Our Gang 2.2 Adult years 3 Personal life 4 Death 4.1 Controversy 4.2 Burial 5 Selected filmography 6 See also 7 References 8 Further reading 9 External links Early life and family Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the third son and last of the four children of Gladys C. Shanks and George Frederick Switzer. The oldest brother died in 1922. A sister Janice was born in 1923 and a brother Harold was born in 1925. Of Scottish and German ancestry, he was named Carl after a member of the Switzer family and Dean after many relatives on his grandmother 's side. He and his brother Harold became famous in their hometown for their musical talent and performances. Both sang and could play a number of instruments. Career Our Gang Switzer ( right ) as `` Alfalfa '' in Our Gang Follies of 1938, with fellow Our Gang cast members George `` Spanky '' McFarland and Darla Hood. In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios. Following a public tour, 8 - year - old Harold and 6 - year - old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio 's open - to - the - public cafeteria, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. He signed both brothers to appear in Our Gang. Harold was given two nicknames, `` Slim '' and `` Deadpan, '' while Carl was dubbed `` Alfalfa. '' The brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short Beginner 's Luck. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters, while Harold had been relegated to the background. Although Carl was an experienced singer and musician, his character Alfalfa was often called upon to sing off - key renditions of popular songs, most often those of Bing Crosby. Alfalfa also sported a cowlick. By the end of 1937, Alfalfa had surpassed George `` Spanky '' McFarland, the series ' nominal star, in popularity. While the boys got along, their fathers argued constantly over their sons ' screen time and salaries. Switzer 's best friend among the Our Gang actors was Tommy Bond, who played his on - screen nemesis `` Butch. '' In Bond 's words, he and Switzer became good friends because `` neither of us could replace the other since we played opposites. '' However, Switzer was known for being abrasive and difficult on the set. He would often play cruel jokes on the other actors and hold up filming with his antics. In 1938 the production rights for Our Gang were sold to Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer, and the first two years of the MGM - produced series entries focused heavily on Alfalfa and his family. Adult years Brothers Harold Switzer and Carl `` Alfalfa '' Switzer Switzer 's tenure on Our Gang ended in 1940, when he was twelve. His first role after leaving the series was as co-star in the 1941 comedy Reg'lar Fellers. The next year, he had a supporting role in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. Switzer continued to appear in films in various supporting roles, including in Johnny Doughboy ( 1942 ), Going My Way ( 1944 ), and The Great Mike ( 1944 ). Switzer had an uncredited role as Auggie in the 1943 film The Human Comedy. Switzer 's last starring roles were in a brief series of imitation Bowery Boys movies. He reprised his `` Alfalfa '' character, complete with comically sour vocals, in PRC 's Gas House Kids comedies in 1946 and 1947. By this time Switzer was downplaying his earlier Our Gang work. In his 1946 resume, he referred to the films generically as `` M-G-M short product. '' Switzer had small parts in both the 1946 Christmas film It 's a Wonderful Life as Mary Hatch 's ( Donna Reed ) date at a high school dance in the film 's beginning and again in the 1948 film On Our Merry Way as the mayor 's son, a trumpet player in a fixed musical talent contest. In the 1954 musical film White Christmas, his photo was used to depict `` Freckle - Faced Haynes, '' an army buddy of lead characters Wallace and Davis ( played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye ) who was also the brother of the female leads the Haynes Sisters ( played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera - Ellen ). In the 1950s, Switzer turned to television. Between 1952 and 1955, he made six appearances on The Roy Rogers Show. He also guest - starred in an episode of the American science fiction anthology series Science Fiction Theatre and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. In 1953 and 1954, Switzer co-starred in three William A. Wellman - directed films : Island in the Sky and The High and the Mighty, both starring John Wayne, and Track of the Cat, starring Robert Mitchum. In 1956, he co-starred in The Bowery Boys film Dig That Uranium followed by a bit part as a Hebrew slave in Cecil B. DeMille 's The Ten Commandments. Switzer 's final film role was in the film drama The Defiant Ones. Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. Among his notable clients were Roy Rogers and Dale Evans ( Switzer 's son 's godparents ), James Stewart, and Henry Fonda. Personal life In early 1954, Switzer went on a blind date with Diantha ( Dian ) Collingwood, heiress of grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Collingwood had moved with her mother and sister to California in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress. Switzer and Collingwood got along well and married in Las Vegas three months later. In 1956, with his money running out and Diantha pregnant, his mother - in - law offered them a farm near Pretty Prairie, Kansas, west of Wichita. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer ( now Eldridge ), was born that year. They divorced in 1957. In 1987, former Our Gang co-star George `` Spanky '' McFarland recalled a meeting with Switzer when they spoke about the farm : The last time I saw Carl was 1957. It was a tough time for me -- and him. I was starting a tour of theme parks and county fairs in the Midwest. Carl had married this girl whose father owned a pretty good size farm near Wichita. When I came through town, he heard about it and called. He told me he was helping to run the farm, but he finally had to put a radio on the tractor while he was out there plowing. Knowing Carl, I knew that was n't going to last. He may have come from Paris, Illinois, but he was n't a farmer ! We had n't seen each other since we left the ' Gang. ' So we had lunch. We talked about all the things you 'd expect. And then I never saw him again. He looked pretty much the same. He was just Carl Switzer -- kind of cocky, a little antsy -- and I thought to myself he had n't changed that much. He still talked big. He just grew up. In January 1958 Switzer was getting into his car in front of a bar in Studio City, when a bullet smashed through the window and struck him in the upper right arm. The gunman was never caught. That December he was arrested in Sequoia National Forest for cutting down 15 pine trees ; he was sentenced to a year 's probation and ordered to pay a $225 fine. Death Grave of Carl Switzer on August 7, 2012, the 85th anniversary of his birth. Switzer had agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Samuel Stiltz. The dog was lost, having run after a bear, and Switzer offered a $35 reward for its return. A few days later, a man found the dog and brought it to the Studio City bar where Switzer then worked. Switzer paid the man $35 and bought him $15 worth of drinks. Several days later, Switzer and his friend Jack Piott, a 37 - year - old unit still photographer, decided that Moses Stiltz should repay Switzer the reward money for the dog. Shortly before 7 : 00 that evening, January 21, 1959, Switzer and Piott went to Rita Corrigan 's home in Mission Hills, where Stiltz was staying, to collect the money they felt he owed Switzer. Stiltz later testified before the coroner 's jury that Switzer had banged on the front door, saying, `` Let me in, or I 'll kick in the door. '' Once inside, he and Stiltz began to argue. Switzer said, `` I want that 50 bucks you owe me now, and I mean now. '' When Stiltz refused to give it to him, the men began to fight. Switzer allegedly struck Stiltz with a glass - domed clock, which caused him to bleed from his left eye. Stiltz retreated to his bedroom and returned with a. 38 - caliber revolver. Switzer grabbed the gun, resulting in a shot being fired that struck the ceiling. Switzer forced Stiltz into a closet, although Stiltz had regained his revolver. Switzer allegedly pulled a switchblade knife and screamed, `` I 'm going to kill you ! '' Fearing Switzer was about to attack, Stiltz shot him in the groin. Switzer suffered massive internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Controversy Since Switzer had pulled a knife, the shooting was judged to be self - defense. During the inquest regarding Switzer 's death, it was revealed that what was reported as a `` hunting knife '' was in fact a penknife. It had been found by crime scene investigators under his body. On January 25, 2001, a third witness came forward and gave his version. Tom Corrigan, son of 56 - year - old Western movie star Ray `` Crash '' Corrigan and stepson of Moses Stiltz, was present the night Switzer was killed. `` It was more like murder, '' Corrigan told reporters. He said he heard the knock on the front door, and Switzer said `` Western Union for Bud Stiltz. '' Corrigan 's mother, Rita Corrigan, opened the door to find a drunk Switzer, complaining about a perceived month - old debt and demanding repayment. Switzer entered the house followed by Jack Piott and stated he was going to beat up Stiltz. Stiltz confronted Switzer with a. 38 - caliber revolver in his hand. Corrigan said that Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over it. Piott broke a glass - domed clock over Stiltz 's head, causing Stiltz 's eye to swell shut. During the struggle, a shot was fired into the ceiling and Corrigan was struck in the leg by a fragment. Corrigan 's two younger sisters ran to a neighbor 's house to call for help. `` Well, we shot Tommy, enough of this, '' he remembers Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave the house. Corrigan had just stepped out the front door when he heard a second shot behind him. He turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face. Stiltz had shot him. Corrigan said he saw a closed penknife at Switzer 's side, which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand. He then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too. As Piott begged for his life, they heard emergency sirens. Corrigan thought this was the only reason Stiltz did not kill Piott. Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner 's jury. Corrigan says a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Corrigan agreed to, but he was never called before the court. `` He did n't have to kill him, '' Corrigan says. Moses Stiltz died in 1983 at the age of 62. Burial Carl Switzer was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. He was killed on the same day that Cecil B. DeMille died and received only minor notice in most newspapers, since DeMille 's obituary dominated the columns. Selected filmography Main article : Our Gang filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1935 Beginner 's Luck Tom Short film 1935 Teacher 's Beau Alfalfa Short film 1935 Sprucin ' Up Alfalfa Short film 1935 Our Gang Follies of 1936 Alfalfa Short film 1936 The Lucky Corner Alfalfa Short film 1936 Arbor Day Alfalfa Short film 1936 Kelly the Second Boy with Stomach Ache Uncredited 1936 Spooky Hooky Alfalfa Short film 1937 Reunion in Rhythm Alfalfa Short film 1937 Rushin ' Ballet Alfalfa Short film 1937 Mail and Female Alfalfa / Cousin Amiela Short film 1937 Our Gang Follies of 1938 Alfalfa Short film 1938 Canned Fishing Alfalfa Short film 1938 Came the Brawn Alfalfa Short film 1938 Hide and Shriek Alfalfa, alias X-10 Short film 1938 Football Romeo Alfalfa Short film 1939 Duel Personalities Alfalfa Short film 1939 Clown Princes The Great Alfalfa Short film 1939 Captain Spanky 's Show Boat Alfalfa Short film 1939 Time Out for Lessons Alfalfa Short film 1940 Alfalfa 's Double Alfalfa / Cornelius Short film 1940 Good Bad Boys Alfalfa Short film 1940 Goin ' Fishin ' Alfalfa Short film 1940 I Love You Again Leonard Harkspur Jr. 1940 Kiddie Kure Alfalfa Short film 1940 Barnyard Follies Alfalfa Credited as `` Alfalfa '' Switzer 1941 Reg'lar Fellers Bump Hudson 1942 My Favorite Blonde Frederick Uncredited 1942 Henry and Dizzy Billy Weeks 1942 There 's One Born Every Minute Junior Twine Credited as Alfalfa Switser 1942 The War Against Mrs. Hadley Messenger Boy 1943 The Human Comedy Auggie Uncredited 1943 Dixie Boy in Street Uncredited 1944 Rosie the Riveter Buzz Prouty 1944 Going My Way Herman Langerhanke Uncredited 1944 The Great Mike Speck 1944 Together Again Elevator Boy Uncredited 1946 It 's a Wonderful Life Freddie Othello Uncredited 1946 Gas House Kids Sammy Levine 1946 Courage of Lassie First Youth, a hunter 1947 Gas House Kids Go West Alfalfa 1947 Gas House Kids in Hollywood Alfalfa 1948 On Our Merry Way Leopold `` Zoot '' Wirtz Alternative title : A Miracle Can Happen 1948 State of the Union Bellboy 1948 Big Town Scandal Frankie Snead Alternative title : Underworld Scandal 1949 A Letter to Three Wives Leo, Second Messenger Uncredited 1950 House by the River Walter Herbert Uncredited 1951 Two Dollar Bettor Chuck Nordlinger 1951 Here Comes the Groom Messenger Uncredited 1952 Pat and Mike Messenger 1952 I Dream of Jeanie Freddie Credited as Carl Dean Switzer 1953 Island in the Sky Sonny Hopper 1954 The High and the Mighty Ensign Keim 1954 Track of the Cat Joe Sam 1955 Not as a Stranger Unexpected Father Uncredited 1955 Francis in the Navy Timekeeper Uncredited 1956 Dig That Uranium Shifty Robertson Uncredited 1956 The Ten Commandments Slave Uncredited 1956 Between Heaven and Hell Savage Uncredited 1958 The Defiant Ones Angus Television Year Title Role Notes 1952 - 1955 The Roy Rogers Show Various roles 6 episodes 1954 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Victor the Delivery Boy Episode : `` George Gets Call from Unknown Victor '' 1955 Lux Video Theatre Mailer Episode : `` Eight Iron Men '' 1955 Science Fiction Theatre Pete Episode : `` The Negative Man '' See also Biography portal References Jump up ^ `` Carl Switzer birth certificate ''. Jump up ^ `` Switzer Name History, Name Meaning and Family Crest ''. ^ Jump up to : Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. ( 1977, rev. 1992 ). The Little Rascals : The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 268 - 271. New York : Crown Publishing / Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0 - 517 - 58325 - 9 Jump up ^ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. ( 1977, rev. 1992 ). The Little Rascals : The Life and Times of Our Gang, pp. 178 - 180. New York : Crown Publishing / Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0 - 517 - 58325 - 9 ^ Jump up to : Bickel, Amy ( October 13, 2012 ). `` Pretty Prairie 's ' Rascal ' : Carl Switzer, best known as Alfalfa on and off the `` Little Rascals '' set, had Kansas connection ``. The Hutchinson News. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012. Jump up ^ `` Obituary : Diantha M. Collingwood Eldridge ''. Hutchinson, Kansas : The Hutchinson News. December 2, 2004. p. 16. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ `` ALFALFA OF FILMS SHOT BY SNIPER ''. The Los Angeles Times. January 28, 1958. p. B1. access - date = requires url = ( help ) Jump up ^ L.A. Mirror News, Jan. 22, 1959 Accessed online January 24, 2009. Jump up ^ Cason, Colleen. `` Death of a Little Rascal : After 40 years, eyewitness tells how Alfalfa died. '' Ventura County Star. January 21, 2001. Jump up ^ Cason, Colleen. `` 42 Years Ago : A friend recalls the death of Our Gang 's Alfalfa. '' Winston - Salem Journal. January 28, 2001. p. E9. Jump up ^ `` Alfalfa 's Mysterious Death ''. Tvparty.com. Retrieved December 28, 2012. Jump up ^ Find A Grave memorial for Moses Samuel Stiltz. From Find A Grave. Retrieved on October 30, 2015. Further reading Best, Marc. Those Endearing Young Charms : Child Performers of the Screen. South Brunswick and New York : Barnes & Co., 1971, pp. 245 -- 250. Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors : Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914 -- 1985. Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Co., 1988, pp. 223 -- 225. Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture Boy : An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, pp. 145 -- 146. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Carl Switzer. Carl Switzer on IMDb Carl Switzer at the TCM Movie Database Carl Switzer at AllMovie Carl Switzer at The Crime Library Carl Switzer at Find a Grave Our Gang / Little Rascals Filmography Personnel Films General Spanky ( 1936 ) The Little Rascals ( 1994 ) The Little Rascals Save the Day ( 2014 ) Television The Little Rascals Christmas Special ( 1979 ) The Little Rascals ( 1982 - 1984 ) Book VIAF : 56167398 LCCN : no89007112 IATH : w6xk9082 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_Switzer&oldid=810969788 '' Categories : 1927 births 1959 deaths 1959 murders in the United States 20th - century American male actors 20th - century American singers American child singers American male child actors American male film actors American male television actors American people of German descent American people of Scottish descent Hal Roach Studios actors Murdered American actors Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Deaths by firearm in California Male actors from Illinois Murdered male actors People from Paris, Illinois People murdered in California Hidden categories : Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL Articles with hCards Turner Classic Movies person ID not in Wikidata Find a Grave template with ID same as Wikidata Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Wikipedia articles with LCCN identifiers Wikipedia articles with SNAC - ID identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia Asturianu Deutsch Español فارسی Français Italiano Nederlands Português Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Svenska Edit links This page was last edited on 18 November 2017, at 17 : 44. 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Question: who played the original alfalfa in the little rascals
Answer: Carl Dean Switzer