Dick Moore died :
- Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas. Buckwheat was originally a background member …
- George “Spanky” McFarland. Ahh, good, old, Spanky— probably one of the …
- Matthew “Stymie” Beard. Stymie was one of the minority cast members in the …
- Billy “Froggy” Laughlin. Froggy was a later addition to the show, joining in …
- Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer. Alfalfa with his trademark cowlick and freckles is …
- Darla Hood. Darla was introduced to the gang with the very popular short, …
- Eugene “Porky” Lee. Porky reminds most viewers of a young Spanky, He’s …
The surviving members of the iconic “Little Rascals” cast dwindled to a handful this week after Dick Moore died at age 89.
Twenty-seven years after the film came to cinemas, the movie has hit the streamer’s most-watched movie charts, with the film currently at number two in the U.S. movie charts. Though none of the Little Rascals cast is still acting, they have gone off into some unexpected careers in fields like DJing, accountancy and professional poker.
In 1954, the Our Gang shorts, repackaged as The Little Rascals, appeared on television for the first time, introducing a new generation of fans to the antics of America’s favorite kiddie comedians. The Rascal revival was on, and it continues this day.
They were born from the 1922-1938 ‘Our Gang’ shorts from MGM. Producer/creator Hal Roach re-bundled 79 of the shorts to make The Little Rascals TV series, which is still broadcast today. The kids from The Little Rascals each had their own distinct personality and image that earned them their nicknames.
How long has it been since the Little Rascals were released?
It has been 25 years since those little actors and actresses hit the big screen.
The world was graced with the cutest assembly of child actors in a single movie when The Little Rascals debuted in 1994. The fun and quirky flick easily became one of the greatest childhood memories for many of today’s millennials. Everything about the sweet comedy was pure gold in children’s cinema.
14 Jordan Warkol ‘Froggy’ Is A Professional Poker Player. Universal Pictures/Instagram. Jordan Warkol’s character in The Little Rascals is definitely one of the most memorable of the film. His croaky voice and oversized glasses made his minor role huge.
The six-year-old adorable actor continued acting for several years after The Little Rascals. According to his social media page, Travis is mainly a marketing professional these days, working at the Texas Trust Credit Union.
Stymie’s gal pal at the end of The Little Rascals was already a popular child star from her role, Olivia, on The Cosby Show. After her cameo appearance in the movie, Raven continued acting and remains a huge presence.
Five-year-old, Brittany Ashton Holmes completely melted our hearts as Darla in The Little Rascals. We were sad to learn that after her debut role, Brittany only continued acting until 1996, when she “retired.”
The other part of Darla’s posse was played by Heather Karasek. Heather’s tight blonde girls and tiny giggle were super sweet. We wish she had a bigger role in the film.
ADVERTISEMENT
When did the Little Rascals come out?
The Little Rascals, originally known as Our Gang, first debuted in 1922. The series c hronicled a group of ragtag neighborhood kiddos and their adventures. The kids were so distinct in personality and features that they all earned their own nicknames, from Spanky to Alfalfa. ADVERTISEMENT.
Matthew left the show at age 10. He battled heroin addiction and committed small crimes to indulge his habit.
Sadly, at age 16 , just two weeks after his parents gifted him a scooter. He was out delivering newspapers when a speeding truck struck the boy and his friend who was driving the scooter. The friend only suffered minor injuries, but Billy Laughlin died at a nearby hospital on August 31, 1948. At 16, he was the youngest Little Rascal death.
And watching these kids be kids on-screen was revolutionary. It was an idealized version of youth. From putting on grand shows to inventing sweet rides, we watched and wished we could join in on the fun. It’s safe to say that this group of children started something, as their appeal continues to this day. So what did the rascals get into after this legendary show?
The family moved to New York to seek opportunities for fame for Darla, that was when Joe Rivkin, a casting director for Hal Roach Studios, cast her in the Gang shorts. Later on, Rivkin again cast her in her final adult role in a Vincent Price-led Horror flick called The Bat in 1959.
Matthew “Stymie” Beard’s younger sister, Carlena portrayed Buckwheat before the character switched to male. Then, Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas took over. He began acting in the Little Rascals shorts in 1930 and that was the only acting he ever did.
Later on, Rivkin again cast her in her final adult role in a Vincent Price-led Horror flick called The Bat in 1959.
When was the Little Rascals released?
The Little Rascals was first released in 1994, but the movie has just had a second life on Netflix. Twenty-seven years after the film came to cinemas, the movie has hit the streamer’s most-watched movie charts, with the film currently at number two in the U.S. movie charts. Though none of the Little Rascals cast is still acting, …
The cast of ‘The Little Rascals’ in 1994. Universal Pictures. Tedford’s busiest time as an actor came when he was five, when he starred in both The Little Rascals and as the first “spokeskid” of Welch’s grape juice. As a child and teenager, he starred in The Amanda Show and provided voices for A Bug’s Life and Recess, …
After The Little Rascals, Ross Bagley appeared in 50 episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air across its fifth and sixth seasons. He then re-appeared alongside Will Smith in Independence Day. His last acting role so far was in 2015, though he did appear last year in the HBO Max Fresh Prince reunion.
Zachary Mabry as “Porky”. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Zachary Mabry (@zacmabry) One of the youngest Little Rascals, Mabry was just three when he started making the film. The film was his only acting role, and the actor was until 2019 an accountant for American Airlines.
He was later a member of the LA band Jubala before performing as a solo singer/songwriter. The Little Rascals is streaming now on Netflix.
How many rascals are there?
There are believed to be just five “Rascals” remaining following the passing of Moore and Darling. Robert Blake, perhaps better known for starring in the ’70s TV hit “Baretta,” Sidney Kibrick, Jerry Tucker, Mildred Kornman and Leonard Landy are thought to be the last living members of the “Gang.”. Advertisement.
Originally called “Our Gang, ” the legendary film shorts were later syndicated for TV with the new title “The Little Rascals.”
Blake, now 81, appeared in 40 “Our Gang” shorts between 1939 and 1944. The 87-year-old Kibrick appeared in the series in the late 1930s. Tucker, 89, appeared on the series throughout the 30s.
The surviving members of the iconic “Little Rascals” cast dwindled to a handful this week after former child star Dick Moore died at age 89 — just three days after another member of the iconic “Gang” had passed away.
