The character was originally named “Hercules” until Our Gang director Robert McGowan renamed him Stymie, as he was always “stymied” by little Beard’s curious wanderings around the studio. Beard was cast as a baby in many films before signing a five-year contract to play “Stymie” in Our Gang. was born on January 1, 1925, in Los Angeles. He was posthumously honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in January 1994. His final television performance was in 1993, playing himself in the opening of the Cheers episode “Woody Gets An Election.” He died shortly thereafter, in June of that year, of a heart attack. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for the experience, and I wouldn’t take a penny to do it again.” Spanky McFarland, 1952 As a kid I had most everything I wanted and we had a good life. Even though it was a job, we had a pretty good time making those comedies. “I had a ball,” he has said in regards to playing Spanky.
Speaking to Do You Remember, Saphire notes, “After Spanky said, ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ he then added - and these were his words - ‘I can’t believe that college kids of today are going to be excited about coming to see a little fat man who hasn’t made a movie in 30 years.’ And I said, ‘Spanky, I guarantee you’re going to get a standing ovation before you even open your mouth.’ As it turned out, I was right.” Little Rascal photographers CARL “ALFALFA” SWITZER and SPANKY MacFARLAND get their subjects LAUREL & HARDY into a friendly pose, 9/30/36 Spanky with manager Rick Saphire (photo courtesy Rick Saphire) In fact, with friend and manager Rick Saphire, he embarked on a college tour to do just that. He became an avid speaker about his days as a part of The Little Rascals. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get out from under the Spanky stereotype and worked odd jobs at a soft drink plant, a hamburger stand, and a popsicle factory. In the series, Spanky was known as the president of the “He-Man Women Hater’s Club.” At 24, McFarland left showbiz and joined the United States Air Force. He had a habit of grabbing things and, in doing so, his mother warned, “Spanky, mustn’t touch!” In later years, he was affectionately called “Spank.” George ‘Spanky’ McFarland, Pete the Pup, (ca. The nickname is said to have come from his mother, who urged him not to misbehave in Roach’s office. McFarland’s Aunt Dottie responded to an ad from Hal Roach Studios requesting photographs of “cute kids,” and he was cast as Spanky. He also was famously seen on Dallas highway billboards and in print advertisements for Wonder Bread. Before he joined Our Gang, McFarland modeled children’s clothing for a Dallas department store. George Robert Phillips McFarland was born October 2, 1928, in Dallas. 10, 1980, 46 years to the day after his mother brought him to audition at Hal Roach Studios. He died of a heart attack in his Los Angeles apartment on Oct. It was great.” Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, late 1930s We went to school together, played together, laughed together. Even the big stars had to chase around and audition it seemed like a rat race to me, with no security.” Of being part of The Little Rascals, he added, “I enjoyed it. In a 1980 interview, he explained, “After the Army, I wasn’t really interested in the hassle of performing. Although Thomas was somewhat in demand for film and stage roles, he opted for a behind-the-scenes job as a film lab technician with Technicolor. He was honorably discharged from active duty, receiving a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. 1930s)Īfter he left the film shorts, Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Hal Roach’s Little Rascals: William ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, (ca. That portrayal would be deemed quite controversial in the years to come. Thomas initially played Buckwheat - speech impediment and all - as a girl dressed as the stereotypical African-American “pickaninny.” He wore bowed pigtails, a large hand-me-down sweater, and oversized boots. 1936īut the Buckwheat character slowly morphed into a boy. From left: Spanky McFarland, Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, ca. The “Buckwheat” character was originally a female, portrayed by Matthew “Stymie” Beard’s younger sister, Carlena. Thomas first appeared in the 1934 Our Gang shorts as a background player. was born on March 12, 1931, in Los Angeles. Buckwheat of The Little Rascals the culturegeist