He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7095 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 1, 1994. [on his years with the Little Rascals] I wouldn't take a million dollars for the experienceand I wouldn't take a penny to do it again. 2023 Turner Classic Movies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. McFarland was often seen on highway billboards and advertisements for Wonder Bread. By high school, the onetime Our Gang member had gotten into many fights with guys who gave me trouble about that.. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements! "He made four generations of people all over the world laugh," said his son Verne McFarland of Watauga. Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? No one knew where [Lee] was, and where he was [living], he wasnt talking about his past.. Brown was 83 when he died . As of 2017, Bug Hall is a married man to a woman named Jill Marie DeGroff, and Holmes apparently has scooped up a husband herself. Served in the United States Air Force at age 24 (1952). A service in Pickering's memory is set for noon, June 25, at the American Legion Post across from the bar. Kentucky Kernels (1934) -- (Movie Clip) We Kill Him On Purpose! He didn't want to let anyone down. I have also heard he owned a club on the southside. Deceased (1928-1993) Spanky McFarland, 1952. To a generation of Our Gang fans, he was simply Spanky. George McFarland (October 2, 1928 June 30, 1993) was an American actor most famous for his appearances as a child as Spanky in the Our Gang series of short-subject comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. Catchphrases: "Okey-dokey!" Was an executive with Philco (later Philco Ford) for many years. Weve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. Which Teeth Are Normally Considered Anodontia. The Our Gang shorts were later syndicated to television as The Little Rascals.Early lifeMcFarland was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 2, 1928, to Virginia Winifred (ne Phillips) and . While E!s 2020 cast retrospective shed little more light on Holmes current endeavors, the piece did confirm to devastated fans that Alfalfa and Darla didnt end up together in real life. 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He came to St. Augustine a week ago to see his father. One of these appearances included The Mike Douglas Show alongside Darla Hood and William Buckwheat Thomas. In Helping Hands, Spanky is thirteen when he mentions his older brother in boot camp in the U.S. Army, but despite an urgency for soldiers in wartime, Dickie would only have been sixteen at the time, so it would have to have been Spankys other older brother, Breezy Brisbane, who had left town a bit earlier than . A cenotaph was approved for placement in the Texas State Cemetary in Austin, Texas in honor of George Spanky McFarland. Sign Up now to stay up to date with all of the latest news from TCM. GRAPEVINE, Texas -- George Emmett 'Spanky' McFarland, who entertained millions as the fat kid in the Little Rascals series, died Wednesday at Baylor Medical Center at Grapevine. 64 years (1928-1993)Spanky McFarland / Age at death He was 64. After leaving the acting profession, he worked for a wine company, an appliance manufacturer and a boot company. The cause of death was a heart attack. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Review: Relive the whirlwind that was Wham! from the inside out, Stanley Tucci: Its OK for straight actors to play gay roles if done the right way, How Barbie crossed a line in Vietnams dispute with China and ended up banned, Robert De Niro mourns loss of beloved grandson Leandro: Im deeply distressed. Though he joined Hal Roach's "Our Gang" comedies 10 years into the series' two-decade run, three-year-old Spanky McFarland grew up to become the face of The Little Rascals, a gaggle of New Deal tearaways chasing fun and dredging up trouble in an idealized American hometown. - June 30, 1993) (his death, 3 children), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Character: Spanky McFarland Birthday: October 2, 1928 Place of Birth: Dallas, Texas Date of Death: June 30, 1993 Place of Death: Grapevine, Texas First Short: Free Eats Last Short: Unexpected Riches Number of Shorts: 95 History: His face as a young boy shaped and stood as the symbol for an American comedy series that began over five years before he was born. Pickering and Webber split in 1978 or 1979 after seven years. 4 at the age of 93. Both Petey and Pal were the second-highest paid actors on the show pulling in $125 per week. Spanky said Nigel has perhaps several other children and grandchildren, but knows nothing about them. [7] [8] He had three siblings: Thomas ("Tommy", who appeared in a few Our Gang episodes as "Dynamite"), Amanda, and Roderick ("Rod"). We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. GEORGE 'SPANKY' MCFARLAND, STAR OF 'OUR GANG' SERIES, IS DEAD AT 64. McFarland, who lived in Grapevine, Tex., died an hour after being rushed to the emergency department of Baylor Grapevine Hospital, according to spokesman Steve Tatum. The group briefly reformed in 1975 and recorded an album ( Change) for the Epic label. The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages. Related Stories . Lee recalled having a warm childhood friendship with his frequent screen sidekick Thomas, who died of a heart attack in 1980 at age 49. Fox says Independence Day: Resurgence wasnt good without Will Smith, Ezra Miller says they were unjustly and directly targeted as harassment order is lifted, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny underwhelms in box office debut, How Nimona survived a studio shutdown among many challenges on its way to the screen. accessed ), memorial page for George "Spanky" McFarland (2 Oct 1928-30 Jun 1993), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8318 . His earliest films show him as an outspoken toddler, grumpily going along with the rest of the gang. McFarland claimed that "Spanky's" bar on East 7th Street used his name and face for thirteen years without permission. He was previously married to Paula Jeanne Wilkinson and Doris. Gordon Lee, who played Porky, Spanky McFarland's chubby-cheeked younger brother in the "Our Gang" comedy shorts in the 1930s, has died. This July 4 was hot. He found himself out of his by-then $300-a-week job after suddenly growing a few too many inches. McFarland was in his bedroom in Keller, Texas, getting dressed on June 30, 1993, when he suddenly collapsed. Avoiding the late-life problems that plagued his pint-sized co-stars in their adult years, McFarland remained a cheerful public presence up until his death in 1993 at age 64. The show included a studio audience and appearances by other celebrities such as James Arness, and it ran Little Rascals shorts. [8] Station executives prevented McFarland from developing and expanding the show's format, and by 1960 McFarland had quit the show. McFarland died on June 30, 1993, in Grapevine, Texas. Lee, who did not start joining Our Gang reunions until about 1980, kept in touch with former Our Gang member Tommy Butch Bond, who died in September at 79. Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards. He was an actor, known for Bedtime Worries (1933), Beginner's Luck (1935) and Mush and Milk (1933). He was 64. and its variant, "Okey-doke!". He was 6 years old and only weeks from starting first grade. [16], In 1990, McFarland filed a $100,000.00 lawsuit against a bar owner in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Unable to find work in showbiz, the former actor worked at a soft drink plant, hamburger stand, and a popsicle factory. We were on the next train to L.A., and I had a contract within a few days, Lee said in a 1998 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, then added softly, Fat kid got lucky.. After leaving the acting profession, he worked for a wine company, an appliance manufacturer and a boot company. McFarland realized that his boyish appeal was diminishing, so he retired from films at the age of 16. He also had his own charity golf classic for 16 years in Marion, Indiana. He died in the emergency room less than an hour after arriving at the hospital. In January 1931, in response to a trade magazine advertisement from Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California, requesting photographs of "cute kids", Spanky's Aunt Dottie (Virginia's sister) sent pictures from Sonny's portfolio. He was an actor, known for Bedtime Worries (1933), Second Childhood (1936) and General Spanky (1936). "He continued to sing, though. He received on-screen billing in. His memory, of course, lives on thanks to all of those filmed moments of that wiseass, but oh-so-funny, little kid who has delighted generations of fans. on the pro-am circuit. His final television performance featured McFarland as himself in the Cheers episode, Woody Gets An Election in 1993. and its variant, "Okey-doke!". Im sorry I didnt get to meet him as an adult, he told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Porky appeared in 42 Our Gang comedies over four years. He and Tommy were both there together, and thats four months ago and now theyre both gone.. McFarland was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 2, 1928, to Virginia Winifred (ne Phillips) and Robert Emmett McFarland. He appeared in a scattering of feature films as well, among them "Day of Reckoning" (1933), "Miss Fane's Baby is Stolen" (1934), "O'Shaughnessy's Boy" (1935), and "General Spanky" (1936), an unsuccessful feature length "Our Gang" comedy. He started modeling when he was three years old and was starring in a Wonder Bread film advertisement when he was discovered by director Hal Roach, who cast him to lead the gang. In the mid-50s, McFarland hosted an afternoon childrens show called The Spanky Show. Set against the backdrop of a makeshift kids' clubhouse, Spanky entertained and informed his studio audiences and the viewers at home with games, stories, craftmaking, hobbies, comedy skits, informational segments, and interviews with guest performers, personalities, and the children in the studio audience in between the reruns of "The Little Rascals" film comedies. (1989), Here are a few stills taken to help publicize. Jim Stafford of Eclipse Studios in St. Augustine, who with Carrick coproduced three albums for Pickering, said Nigel was a joy to work with. Spanky also had his own namesake charity golf classic for 16 years, held in Marion, Indiana. After his professional retirement, McFarland became active on the convention circuit, promoted the release of "Our Gang" shorts on video cassette, and supported various charities. Upon his return to civilian life, indelibly typecast in the public's mind as "Spanky" from Our Gang, he found himself unable to find work in show business. He modeled baby clothes in his hometown of Dallas and made a one-minute Wonder Bread commercial that was noticed by director Hal Roach. He was previously married to Paula Jeanne Wilkinson and Doris. Microfiche. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar. Young, pretty, kind and. [10] In mid-1938, Hal Roach sold the Our Gang unit to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, who began casting for a new "team leader" character in Spanky's vein and ended up rehiring McFarland himself. So far he is one of the only two members of "Our Gang" and or "The Little Rascals" to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, (co-star. He attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas. [8], Upon being discovered at age three, he instantly became a key member of the Our Gang children's comedy movie series and one of Hollywood's stars. Later, the young actor also featured in Kentucky Kernels and two Fritz Lang films of the 1940s. The chubby-cheeked child also became the public face of Wonder Bread, in print ads and on billboards seen throughout the Dallas Metro-Plex. George 'Spanky' McFarland was born on 2 October 1928 in Dallas, Texas, USA. George "Spanky" McFarland died unexpectedly on June 30, 1993, at age 64, the cause believed to be either a heart attack or aneurysm. Soon the idea for Spanky and Our Gang was born. However, by 1960, station executives stopped McFarland from expanding the show. Even in his heyday, it is doubtful many moviegoers knew him as George McFarland. Pickering died about 9:20 p.m. Thursday night. Spanky got married and then pregnant, and their drummer was lured away by The Turtles. Guitarist and singer Nigel Pickering, one of the founders and songwriters of the 1960s folk-rock group Spanky and Our Gang, died at Bay View in St. Augustine after a long struggle with liver cancer. performer: "Follies Introduction/King Alfalfa", "The Love Bug'll Get You (If You Don't Watch Out)", "Follies Conclusion", performer: "Here Comes the Ice Cream Man", The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (Centennial Edition). The day before, she will attend an open-mike event at the bar from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to honor Nigel. The boys go to find Alfalfa and discover him in the company of his sweetheart Darla, with whom he is forbidden to be in love because she is a girl, which goes against club rules. "You couldn't ask for a better legacy. He was 64. Trivia IMDbPro George 'Spanky' McFarland (1928-1993) Actor Soundtrack IMDbPro Starmeter See rank George 'Spanky' McFarland was born on 2 October 1928 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for General Spanky (1936), Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1937) and Beginner's Luck (1935). Among his jobs as an adult was working for the Philco-Ford company. He smiled and waved to the packed room, but no one there thought he'd be back for his 82nd. You have permission to edit this article. The lawsuit also called for McFarland to receive all of the internal merchandise and equipment featuring his likeness. As a kid I had everything I wanted, we had a good life but when it was overit was over. Next week Spanky McFarland is making a series of. [During a 1988 recollection on a career than spanned 84 films in seven years] I was probably 5 or 6 years old before I realized that all kids weren't in movies. In the late 50s and early 60s, he played with The Folksters, with Art Schill and bassist Ken Hodges, who later became a member of Our Gang. George "Spanky" McFarland, who moved generations to smiles as the chubby child star of the "Our Gang" and "Little Rascals" comedies, died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. After attending the University of Houston, Lee taught in the West Texas town of Post and later in alternative schools in Denver and Boulder, Colo. By the early 1970s, the 6-foot-4 former child actor had a four-inch beard and shoulder-length hair, and he kept his Hollywood past a secret from most of his friends. The cause of death was not immediately determined. Everett Collection. Immortalized in nearly 100 Hal Roach and MGM two-reelers that helped Americans laugh their way out of the Great Depression, Spanky McFarland carved for himself a unique niche in Hollywood, where he stood toe to toe if not quite eye to eye with such beloved movie funnymen as Laurel and Hardy and the Marx Brothers. Pudgy-cheeked and precocious in such early outings as "Free Eats" (1932) and "Spanky" (1932), McFarland matured into a stocky, authoritative youth, making him the born leader of co-stars George "Alfalfa" Switzer, Darla Hood, Matthew "Stymie" Beard, and Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas. After a stint in the military and a failed bid to host a TV variety show for kids, he worked as a salesman for the Ford-Philco Corporation and eventually found his way to the fan convention circuit. Over the years, many people have claimed to be former Our Gang members, including an actor and television personality in the 1960s and 70s who claimed to have been Porky. To learn more about cookies and your cookie choices. "I'll always treasure the opportunity I've had to record and perform with such a legend," Stafford said. Although Laughlin appears early in the episode, he does not say anything until he delivers a punch line in his great voice at around the nine-minute mark. "His hands failed five years ago from arthritis," Carrick said Saturday. On June 30, 1993, George McFarland collapsed in his bedroom in Keller, Texas. "Spanky" Mcfarland. He was selling for Philco-Ford Corporation, where he advanced to national sales training director. George McFarland (October 2, 1928 - June 30, 1993) was an American actor most famous for his appearances as a child as Spanky in the Our Gang series of short-subject comedies of the 1930s and 1940s. He was 32. Richard Bann, Maltins co-author, said the younger Porky and Buckwheat were teamed up when Spanky and Alfalfa were a team.
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