It focused on a ragtag group of kids and their hilarious antics.
All told, the popular franchise spawned 221 short films.
The series also took a revolutionary stance on race.
The concept of “Our Gang” proved to have staying power.
From substance misuse to untimely deaths, these are the harrowing stories of the original cast.
With his spitfire personality and famously unruly hair, Switzer became an instant fan favorite.
After leaving “Our Gang,” Switzer struggled to keep his acting career afloat.
Eventually, Switzer embarked on a major career pivot and began working as a hunting guide.
In January 1959, Switzer got into an argument with a former client who purportedly owed him $50.
Switzer who was well-known for having a hot temper threatened his adversary with a knife.
In turn, the man pulled out a gun and fatally shot Switzer in the stomach.
Switzer’s former co-star, Tommy “Butch” Bond, paid tribute to the actorin a 1996 interview.
“‘Aren’t you happy?
Doesn’t that make you proud that we did something that people are going to remember forever?'”
He played the role of Spanky, a clever youngster with a penchant for mischief.
His run on the show lasted for 10 years until his eventual departure in 1942.
Later, he worked as a commercial contractor until his retirement in the 1980s.
Nonetheless, McFarland remained grateful for his time on “Our Gang.”
““Even though it was a job, we had a pretty good time making those comedies.
As a kid I had most everything I wanted, and we had a good life.
When it was over it was over.”
McFarland died in 1993 at age 64.
The child actor played Chubby, a mischievous and starry-eyed member of the group.
Chaney’s stint on the show lasted from 1929 until 1931.
Turns out, he was a natural-born actor, and he thrived on the show.
Despite finding success on “Our Gang,” Chaney’s life wasn’t easy.
He had a heavier build and struggled with health issues as a result of his size.
At age 21, the actor underwent surgery to help manage his weight.
Tragically, Chaney died shortly after the procedure, closing the book on his heartbreakingly short life.
In another tragic twist, Chaney was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Baltimore, Maryland.
Then, in 2012, a local group raised the money to purchase a plaque for Chaney’s grave.
The child actor was best-known for his trademark raspy voice, which resembled the croak of an amphibian.
For four years, Laughlin entertained audiences with his quirky personality and hilarious shenanigans.
He left the show in 1944.
Tragically, Laughlin didn’t get much time to enjoy life outside the spotlight.
Laughlin died a few hours later at a local hospital.
He was just 16.
But on the flip side, many have experienced the pitfalls of early celebrityhood.
Sadly, Scotty Beckett was one of those former child stars who experienced difficulty in adulthood.
His story began in 1934 when he joined the “Our Gang” cast.
The bright-eyed tot immediately rose to fame, charming audiences with his adorable antics.
He remained on the show for two years before making his exit in 1936.
Beckett continued rising through the Hollywood ranks after his “Our Gang” stint.
Beckett was embraced by the Los Angeles “it” crowd and quickly fell into the party scene.
Unfortunately, his hard-partying lifestyle soon caught up with him.
By the late 1950s, his acting career had ground to a halt.
He acquired a lengthy rap sheet that included drug trafficking, drunk driving, and fraud.
Beckett also experienced drug and alcohol addiction.
In 1959, the actor got into a drunk driving accident that rendered him disabled.
Beckett died in 1968 after reportedly taking a lethal dose of barbiturates.
He was just 38 at the time.
The pint-sized actor debuted on the inaugural short titled “One Terrible Day.”
With his quirky personality and infectious laugh, Daniels effortlessly won the hearts of viewers.
He was involved with “Our Gang” from 1922 until his exit in 1926.
With his acting days behind him, Daniels took up work as a construction engineer.
The former actor became addicted to alcohol, which led to serious health issues.
Tragically, his alcoholism would end up claiming his life.
In August 1970, Daniels died alone in a hotel room, having succumbed to cirrhosis of the liver.
The actor was cremated and placed in an unmarked grave, where he was left to fade into obscurity.
However, in 2019, fans pooled together the money to adorn Daniels’ grave with a tombstone.
Fans couldn’t get enough of the tiny rabble-rouser and he quickly became a staple on the series.
Hutchins debuted on the show in 1927 and was a cast member for six years.
Shortly after leaving “Our Gang,” Hutchins retired from show business.
The former actor returned to his hometown of Tacoma, Washington and proceeded to embrace a normal life.
During his high school years, Hutchins made a modest living working at a local gas station.
In the early 1940s, Hutchins joined the U.S. Air Force and trained to become a pilot.
However, things took a tragic turn in 1945 when Hutchins was involved in an aviation accident.
The former child star was only 20 when his life ended.
The itsy-bitsy actor starred on the series from 1935 to 1941.
A natural-born performer, Hood launched her show business career at the tender age of three.
““My mother taught me to sing and dance before I really could talk and walk.
After leaving the series, Hood went on to launch a successful music career.
She released a couple of studio albums and eventually found her niche in performing commercial jingles.
Hood’s life came to a sudden and tragic end in 1979.
After falling ill with appendicitis, she underwent surgery to have the organ removed.
Tragically, Hood experienced heart failure during her appendectomy and died on the operating table.
She was just 47.
Hood’s former co-star Billy “Buckwheat” Thomas spoke out in the wake of her untimely demise.
“I hate to hear it.
It’s a shock,” Thomas told theNew York Times.
“She was an awful nice person, a fine woman.
We got along real good as kids.”
The actor portrayed Stymie, a pocket-sized youngster with a gigantic personality.
Beard charmed audiences with his wide smile and iconic bowler hat.
So that’s how it got started.”
In Beard’s case, his troubles started early in life.
The young actor hailed from a poor family and grew up in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood.
Despite finding success on “Our Gang,” tragedy continued to haunt Beard throughout his adult life.
He became addicted to heroin in his early 20s and went on to serve numerous prison stints.
Beard entered a rehab facility in 1966 and ultimately kicked his drug habit.
Sadly, Beard died on January 8, 1981 shortly after suffering from a stroke.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
