The Little Rascals: Cursed? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 05-04-2009, 06:29 PM

Were the stars of the Our Gang movie shorts (later retitled The Little
Rascals for television syndication) "cursed"? Seven members of that
troupe died before reaching the age of 70:

Norman "Chubby" Chaney (18)
Billy "Froggy" Laughlin (16)
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer (32)
Darla Hood (47)
Billy "Buckwheat" Thomas (49)
Matthew "Stymie" Beard (56)
George "Spanky" McFarland (64)

The following actors are among the exceptions:

Tommy Bond (79)
Eugene "Porky" Lee (71)

And Jackie Cooper has outlived most of his contemporaries. He is 86.

Marvo301 · 05-04-2009, 06:50 PM

Snopes calls the idea of an Our Gang curse false.

http://www.snopes.com/movies/other/ourgang

Zoneboy · 05-04-2009, 07:21 PM

A few others that died before age 70:

Robert "Wheezer" Hutchins (20)
Scotty Beckett (39)
Mary Kornman (58)
Jackie Condon (59)
Allen "Farina" Hoskins (59)
Mickey Daniels (65)

Other exceptions:

Joe Cobb (85)
Harry Spear (85)
Jay R. Smith (92)

Oddly enough the only person associated with Our Gang/The Little Rascals who lived the longest was Hal Roach who died in 1992 at the age of 100.

05-04-2009, 06:29 PM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	The Little Rascals: Cursed? Were the stars of the Our Gang movie shorts (later retitled The Little Rascals for television syndication) "cursed"? Seven members of that troupe died before reaching the age of 70: Norman "Chubby" Chaney (18) Billy "Froggy" Laughlin (16) Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer (32) Darla Hood (47) Billy "Buckwheat" Thomas (49) Matthew "Stymie" Beard (56) George "Spanky" McFarland (64) The following actors are among the exceptions: Tommy Bond (79) Eugene "Porky" Lee (71) And Jackie Cooper has outlived most of his contemporaries. He is 86.

05-04-2009, 06:50 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Snopes calls the idea of an Our Gang curse false. http://www.snopes.com/movies/other/ourgang
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-04-2009, 07:21 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,380	A few others that died before age 70: Robert "Wheezer" Hutchins (20) Scotty Beckett (39) Mary Kornman (58) Jackie Condon (59) Allen "Farina" Hoskins (59) Mickey Daniels (65) Other exceptions: Joe Cobb (85) Harry Spear (85) Jay R. Smith (92) Oddly enough the only person associated with Our Gang/The Little Rascals who lived the longest was Hal Roach who died in 1992 at the age of 100.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.