Actor. He is best remembered as American child actor in his role of "Alfalfa" in the "Our Gang" series of comedies. Born as Carl Dean Switzer, his two-year-older brother Harold started an acting the same day with him, but abandoned the career in 1940. His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. Born in Paris, Illinois, he was selected to play the role of "Alfalfa" in the "Our Gang" comedies, which began in 1935 with "Beginner's Luck" and ended in 1940 with "The Big Premier." Off-screen, he had the image of a problem child, playing pranks on his fellow child actors, and much was made in the press of his having fights with the other child actors. During World War II, he continued to make movies, including "Henry and Dizzy" in 1942, "There's One Born Every Minute" in 1942, and "Rosie the Riveter" and "The Great Mike" both in 1944. After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" in 1946, and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. He played the young man that opens the floor, uncovering the pool, at the dance in "It's a Wonderful Life". In the 1950s, he had numerous brushes with the law, and two marriages and divorces, followed by appearances in a series of forgettable movies and bit parts, often unaccredited. He had some success as a hunting guide and as a professional dog breeder, and some of the larger Hollywood stars were his clientele, including Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers. He had appeared in various roles on the Roy Roger television show. His last role was a slave in the 1956 Academy Award winning film "The Ten Commandments". In 1959, he died at age 31 from a gunshot wound inflicted by a customer during an altercation over a $50 payment due for training his dog. A judge later ruled his death as "justifiable homicide."
Actor. He is best remembered as American child actor in his role of "Alfalfa" in the "Our Gang" series of comedies. Born as Carl Dean Switzer, his two-year-older brother Harold started an acting the same day with him, but abandoned the career in 1940. His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. Born in Paris, Illinois, he was selected to play the role of "Alfalfa" in the "Our Gang" comedies, which began in 1935 with "Beginner's Luck" and ended in 1940 with "The Big Premier." Off-screen, he had the image of a problem child, playing pranks on his fellow child actors, and much was made in the press of his having fights with the other child actors. During World War II, he continued to make movies, including "Henry and Dizzy" in 1942, "There's One Born Every Minute" in 1942, and "Rosie the Riveter" and "The Great Mike" both in 1944. After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" in 1946, and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. He played the young man that opens the floor, uncovering the pool, at the dance in "It's a Wonderful Life". In the 1950s, he had numerous brushes with the law, and two marriages and divorces, followed by appearances in a series of forgettable movies and bit parts, often unaccredited. He had some success as a hunting guide and as a professional dog breeder, and some of the larger Hollywood stars were his clientele, including Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers. He had appeared in various roles on the Roy Roger television show. His last role was a slave in the 1956 Academy Award winning film "The Ten Commandments". In 1959, he died at age 31 from a gunshot wound inflicted by a customer during an altercation over a $50 payment due for training his dog. A judge later ruled his death as "justifiable homicide."
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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