Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
| Carl Switzer | |
|---|---|
Screenshot from Our Gang
|
|
| Born |
Carl Dean Switzer August 7, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1959 (aged 31) Mission Hills, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| 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 | 1 |
| Relatives | Harold Switzer (brother) |
Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 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.
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.
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.
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