Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carl Switzer
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Switzer in Our Gang Follies of 1938
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| Born |
Carl Dean Switzer
August 7, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.S.
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| Died | January 21, 1959 (aged 31) Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California |
| Other names | Alfalfa Switzer |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1935–1959 |
| Spouse(s) |
Dian Collingwood
(m. 1954; div. 1957) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Harold "Slim" Switzer (brother) |
Carl Dean Switzer (born August 7, 1927 – died January 21, 1959) was an American actor and singer. He became famous as a child star, playing the character Alfalfa in the popular Our Gang short films.
After his time as a child actor, Carl also worked as a dog breeder and a guide for hunting trips. He was married and had one son.
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Early Life and Musical Talent
Carl Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois. He was the youngest of four children. Carl and his older brother, Harold, were very talented musicians. They could both sing and play many different instruments. They were well-known in their hometown for their musical performances.
Becoming "Alfalfa" in Our Gang
In 1934, Carl and Harold visited California with their family. While touring Hal Roach Studios, where movies were made, the brothers decided to put on a show. They started singing and performing in the studio's cafeteria.
The studio boss, Hal Roach, happened to be there. He was very impressed by their talent! He quickly signed both brothers to appear in his famous Our Gang series. Harold was given the nicknames "Slim" and "Deadpan." Carl became known as "Alfalfa."
The brothers first appeared in an Our Gang film called Beginner's Luck in 1935. Soon, Alfalfa became one of the main characters. Even though Carl was a good singer, his character Alfalfa often sang popular songs off-key (out of tune) for laughs. This became one of his funniest trademarks. Alfalfa also had a famous cowlick, a piece of hair that sticks up.
By 1937, Alfalfa was even more popular than the series' main star, George "Spanky" McFarland. Carl was good friends with Tommy Bond, who played his on-screen rival, "Butch." Tommy said they became friends because "neither of us could replace the others."
Life After Our Gang
Carl Switzer left Our Gang in 1940 when he was twelve years old. After that, he appeared in many other films. He often played supporting roles, which are smaller parts in movies.
He had a small, uncredited role in the classic 1946 Christmas movie It's a Wonderful Life. He also appeared in The Ten Commandments as a slave. His final film role was in the 1958 movie The Defiant Ones.
Besides acting, Carl had other interests. He loved animals and became very good at breeding and training hunting dogs. He also worked as a guide for hunting trips. Some famous people, like actors Roy Rogers and James Stewart, were his clients.
Personal Life
In 1954, Carl Switzer met Diantha Collingwood on a blind date. They got along well and were married a few months later in Las Vegas.
In 1956, Carl and Diantha had a son named Justin. They later divorced in 1957.
Death
Carl Switzer died on January 21, 1959, when he was 31 years old.
He was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. His death was not widely reported in the news because a very famous director, Cecil B. DeMille, also died on the same day. Carl had appeared in DeMille's last film, The Ten Commandments.
Carl Switzer's gravestone has a symbol of Freemasonry and a picture of a hunting dog, showing his love for the outdoors.
Images for kids
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Carl Switzer as Alfalfa in Our Gang Follies of 1938
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Switzer (right) as "Alfalfa" in Our Gang Follies of 1938, with fellow Our Gang cast members George "Spanky" McFarland and Darla Hood
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The grave of Carl Switzer at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
