Tragic Facts About Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, The Doomed Rascal
Carl Switzer’s spontaneous discovery by a Hollywood producer reads like entertainment folklore. His exit, however, sounds more like a cautionary tale. Poor Switzer went from being one of the most recognized faces in television—Alfalfa in Our Gang—to pilfering trees from the forest to sell at Christmas time. It was a steady, but not so slow decline from child star to adult felon. His short, tragic life was an absolute train wreck—but, as the story unfolds, just try and look away.
1. He Loved Music
Paris was the birthplace of American actor Carl Switzer—except it was the one in Illinois, not France. The date was August 8, 1927, and Switzer was one of four children. All four kids had one thing in common: a love of music and performing.
Wait, that’s two things. Regardless, these kids had oodles of talent and could really put on a show.
All they needed was a little exposure.
2. They Were Spontaneous
The Switzer family made a trip to sunny California and were taking a film studio tour when they ducked into a cafe for refreshment. Carl and his brother Harold did what they did best: put on an impromptu show for the other guests.
As luck would have it, the head of the studio walked by and took in the boys’ performance.
What happened next sounds like a Hollywood myth.
3. He Signed Them Both
The owner of the studio, Hal Roach, was completely bowled over by the boys’ ability and charisma. He wanted to sign both of them to Our Gang right there on the spot. Our Gang was a series of short films centered around a group of poor children, which later morphed into the TV show The Little Rascals. Once on the show, Harold became a side character named Slim or sometimes Deadpan.
Carl, on the other hand, had just one name: Alfalfa.
4. He Was Front And Center
Carl’s brother Harold didn’t do that well on Our Gang—he was soon relegated to the background in most of his scenes. Alfalfa, however, was soon delighting audiences. Ironically, Switzer’s musical ability wasn’t what helped him win audiences over. Strangely enough, it was actually his ability to hide his talent that made the character unforgettable...
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