Harold Eugene `` Hal '' Roach , Sr. ( January 14 , 1892 -- November 2 , 1992 ) was an American film and television producer , director , and actor from the 1910s to the 1990s , best known today for producing the Laurel and Hardy and `` Our Gang '' ( later known as `` The Little Rascals '' ) film comedy series .
Harold Eugene `` Hal '' Roach , Sr. ( January 14 , 1892 -- November 2 , 1992 ) was an American movie and television producer , director , and actor from the 1910s to the 1990s . He was best known today for producing the Laurel and Hardy and `` Our Gang '' ( later known as `` The Little Rascals '' ) movie comedy series .