Their lives also ended similarly and under tragic circumstances. In December 1958, he cut 15 pine trees in the Sequoia National Forest to sell as Christmas trees. This time, Bud Stiltz backed off. He still talked big. Yet, despite the confusion surrounding his demise, its tragic nature remains obvious.. Carl had an older brother named Harold Switzer. Please try again later. Sometimes he feels guilty because the marriage didn't work out and I look at him like he's nuts. He played the young man that opens the floor, uncovering the pool, at the dance in "It's a Wonderful Life". He was 42. brother - who also had a tragic end. Leave a message for others who see this profile. In the studio caf, six-year-old Carl and his eight-year-old brother, Harold, performed an impromptu song-and-dance number. 2023. In the 1954 musical film White Christmas, his photo was used to depict "Freckle-Faced Haynes, the Dog-Faced Boy", an army buddy of lead characters Wallace and Davis (played by Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) who was also the brother of the female leads the Haynes Sisters, played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen. Um, yeah, nice try. He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer , one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Carl Switzer (Carl Dean Switzer) Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the second son and last of the four children of George Frederick Switzer and his wife Gladys C. Shanks, both of German ancestry. Please reset your password. Switzer had a reunion with his former co-star George McFarland in 1957. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. However, Switzer was known for being abrasive and difficult on the set. (The Los Angeles Times claims that it was Stiltz who offered the reward.) Arguably, this ranks among Datalounge's most depressing threads. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Resend Activation Email. Alfalfa (Carl Switzer) had an older brother, Harold! ", He never called me Spanky or George. Close your eyes and think of Dickie Moore. Death. based on information from your browser. click ACCEPT. Hollywood is notoriously unkind to former child actors after they have grown up. After their performance, Carl was given a lead role while Harold was offered a part but not as prestigious as that of his younger brother. In 1987, former Our Gang co-star Spanky McFarland recalled a meeting with Switzer concerning the farm: "The last time I saw Carl was 1957. Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site I was starting a tour of theme parks and county fairs in the Midwest. cemeteries found in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He also had multiple run-ins with law enforcement officers. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Lance Switzer is the son of Carl Switzer. Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Elridge (1933-2007), who adopted and raised Lance as . During the struggle, a shot was fired into the ceiling and Corrigan was struck in the leg by a fragment. Spanky used to do things to poor Alfalfa. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. Lance Switzer is the son of Carl Switzer. A system error has occurred. There's an interesting story about him later on when he became an adult. He played cruel jokes on the other actors and often held up filming. There was a problem getting your location. Switzer didnt have the money to pay for the dog. Roach spotted Carl's undeniable talent. It was more like murder, Corrigan told reporters in 2001. . He was the kid who was in the room when Alfalfa and Bud engaged in their fatal combat. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters while Harolds Slim and Deadpan faded into the background. Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the third son and last of the four children of Gladys C. Shanks and George Frederick Switzer.The oldest brother died in 1922. The guy says "what's the matter, Othello, jealous?" He was 14 years old at the time. Did he have BDF, too? You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. McFarland recalled that Switzer seemed restless, and he . Well, let's just say Spanky really lived up to his name on this one. Robert Blake grew up to be no walk in the park. Dont miss out! This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. United States of America. Piott backed Stiltzs story and the shooting was determined to be in self-defense. Harold's death occurred nine years after his younger brother died in similarly tragic circumstances. A fight ensued between Carl Switzer & Moses Stiltz. . He appeared in a total of sixty-one episodes of Our Gang, delighting theater . Corrigan said his two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. He says Othello. News of Harold and Carl's Hollywood success reached their hometown of Illinois, and they were greatly celebrated there. site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, Carlton Dean Switzer, noto anche con lo pseudonimo di Alfalfa (Paris, 7 agosto 1927 - Mission Hills, 21 gennaio 1959), stato un attore statunitense.. conosciuto per le sue apparizioni come attore bambino e personaggio principale, nel ruolo di "Alfalfa" (o "Alfa Alfa"), nel noto serial cinematografico degli anni trenta . As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. "He didn't have to kill him," Corrigan said decades later.[9]. March 11, 2022. What things? Stiltz fired and shot Switzer in the groin, damaging an artery that caused massive internal bleeding. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. There is a problem with your email/password. The Old Crime is New Again newsletter is a monthly email covering a topic that has not appeared in the blog. Paris was the birthplace of American actor Carl Switzerexcept it was the one in Illinois, not France. Search above to list available cemeteries. Justin later took on the last name of Eldridge during his mother's marriage to Richard Eldridge. "Death of a Little Rascal: After 40 years, eyewitness tells how Alfalfa died". Harold and Carl were gifted singers, and this talent proved to be an outlet for their parents to make money. "42 Years Ago: A friend recalls the death of Our Gang's Alfalfa". ). He died on 21 January 1959, in Mission . The gun didnt go off in the heat of battle, or in self-defense. The last time I saw Carl was 1957. In 1953 and 1954, Switzer co-starred in three William A. Wellman-directed films: Island in the Sky and The High and the Mighty, both starring John Wayne, and Track of the Cat, starring Robert Mitchum. He was named Carl Dean after a member of the Switzer family and many relatives on his grandmother's side (respectively). Hes not gorgeous per se , but there was something sexy as hell about him as he aged . In the 1950s, he had numerous brushes with the law, and two marriages that broke up, followed by appearances in a series of forgettable movies and bit parts, often unaccredited. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. 2008 - 2023 INTERESTING.COM, INC. Your email address will not be published. He said Switzer pounded on the door and demanded Stiltz let him in. HAROLD SWITZER: ALFALFA'S BROTHER. Wrong username or password. Hello and thank you for being a DL contributor. Following a public tour, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered the Hal Roach Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria, the Our Gang Caf, and began an impromptu performance. Yet, despite the confusion surrounding his demise, its tragic nature remains obvious. That dog got lost and Switzer offered an award of $35 for its return. Switzer and Piott intended to demand money from Stiltz. Mission Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. George was an inventor whose most noteworthy creation was the Allure Bust Development Device. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (later Justin Lance Collingwood Elridge) was born that year. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Carl Switzer decided to train a hunting dog for an individual named Moses Samuel Stiltz. Later in his career, Switzer's acting roles were limited to bit parts . Corrigan said Switzer entered the house first, followed by Jack Piott. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Carl had an older brother named Harold Switzer. He started his acting career as a child artist, appearing as Alfalfa in the Our Gang short subjects. He then was cast in the comedy flick 'On Our Merry Way' as well as the drama flick 'State of the Union' in the year 1948. For another, Tom Corrigan, Stiltzs stepson, told a different version of what happened on that Wednesday night in Los Angeles. in Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California , United States, This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: Carl "Alfalfa" SWITZER (1927), Biography from Wikipedia (see original) under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. By this time Switzer was downplaying his earlier Our Gang work. 'Alfalfa' refused so the man put him own face near the bear - and it bit into his face. This browser does not support getting your location. Last weeks blog featured George Trepal, a man with a genius-level IQ who poisoned his neighbors. In 1967, after killing a customer over a dispute, Switzer drove himself to a remote area near Glendale, California and committed suicide. However, this never affected the siblings' relationship, as Harold was never bitter about being less talented than his brother. What a hilarious asshole. Corrigan said he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him. Carl Alfalfa Switzer . Death. . Some of these jobs included stints as a bartender and hunting guide. He was just a bratty little kid. ^ Alfalfa knew a wild beast when he saw one. Their struggle caused the gun to discharge and almost shoot Tom Corrigan, Stiltz's 14-year-old stepson. In 1954, Carl Switzer went on a blind date with Diantha Collingwood, heiress of the grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Dionne Warwick actually recorded a hit song that was a musical tribute to the beloved, troubled little fella . "Though not saddled with the same problems his younger brother was faced with due to being typecast as a "child star," Harold had his own problems. Not the kind trying to add "color" to the joint, if you know what I mean. I read a post somewhere about it but it might have been bullshit. The couple got along well and married later on. In 1940, he left the show at age 12 and appeared in minor roles in movie classics such as It's a Wonderful Life and The Ten Commandments. The two were headed for the door when Stiltz then fired the fatal shot. During the struggle, the gun accidentally went off. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Carl Switzer Popularity . Again, Carl requested the $50, but Stiltz insisted he was not giving him a dime. Yeah, things are much better now that we let the mentally ill sit in the oval office instead. Stiltz was a longtime friend and sometime business partner, whom Switzer had met while working with Roy Rogers on various productions at the Corriganville Movie Ranch. In 1956, their son Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer was born. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Back then, the average movie goer would have gotten the reference. He added the $15 he spent on the drinks to the $35 reward he paid to the man and felt Stiltz should give him $50 for the dog. He had three siblings: sister Janice, brother Harold, and . He also did behind the scenes work on Laugh In. After this, he appeared in an episode each of 'The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show', 'Lux Video Theatre' and 'Science Fiction Theatre.' Learn more about managing a memorial . The same year, Switzer worked in the biblical epic film titled 'The Ten Commandments' as well as in the war film titled 'Between Heaven and Hell'. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Verify and try again. In 1956, their son Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer was born. . August 7 Actor #6. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. They also acted together four years later in one of those Lassie films. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer . Unable to produce cash to settle the debt, Switzer took out ads in newspapers and put up fliers, offering a reward for the safe return of the animal. Add a New Bio. The rescuer was rewarded with $35 in cash and $15 in alcoholic beverages, the equivalent of about $450 in 2020. With his freckled face and sporting a prominent cowlick, Carl was a natural attraction. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Ex-wife of Carl "Alfalfa" Dean Switzer. Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the second son, fourth and . GREAT NEWS! Stiltz decided not to give the money and the two men started fighting. This account has been disabled. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Your email address will not be published. Try again later. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. To make ends meet, he worked odd jobs. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. . Year should not be greater than current year. Please reset your password. He was the third and youngest son of four children born to Gladys Schanks and George Switzer. There's One Born Every Minute. Although Carl and George got along fine, their fathers argued constantly over salaries and screen time. Try again later. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Switzer's final film role was in the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones. He signed both brothers to appear in Our Gang. The next year, he had a supporting role in Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. He was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery located in Hollywood, California. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Switzer and Collingwood divorced a year later. There was an error deleting this problem. I read he liked to piss on the lighting equipment on the set of The Little Rascals so that when lights were turned on it filled the set with his stench. I did quite well. Alfalfa wore heavy makeup to play a 100 year old Indian in Track of the Cat (1954). When George Frederick Switzer was born on 16 April 1905, in Edgar, Illinois, United States, his father, David Andrew Switzer, was 54 and his mother, Jemima W Price, was 32. [8], Tom Corrigan's account differed significantly from his stepfather's. I think he was a fug kid who became handsome as an adult. . After leaving "Our Gang," Carl took up more minor roles in films and television. McFarland knew Switzer would not last long on a farm, saying, " He may have been from Paris, Illinois, but he was no farmer."1958 started off rough for . In 1967, Harold killed a customer over a dispute. A sister Janice was born in 1923 and a brother Harold was born in 1925. He and filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille died on the same day. in Paris, Illinois , United States, Died on January 21, 1959 [citation needed]. Last Name Switzer #3. He died at age 31, shot during an argument with someone over a small amount of money (fifty dollars). c o m . Harold had two nicknames, Slim and Deadpan, while Carl became Alfalfa.. He said he then turned and saw Switzer sliding down the wall with a surprised look on his face after Stiltz had shot him. I uncovered the following info while searching for my SWITZER line.This is the ancestry of Carl "Alfalfa" SWITZER, child actor, of Paris, Edgar Co., IL to Hollywood, CA by 1937; they are not related to the SWITZERS I am researching (Daniel J. SWITZER and Mary P. ROBINSON of Ontario, Canada to Chelan Co. WA to . In 1956, he had an uncredited role in the flick 'Dig That Uranium'. Corrigan said his stepfather (and Piott) lied to the coroners jury. He's the guy who opens the gym floor in It's a Wonderful Life. Carl Switzer was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide . Try again later. lance switzer son of carl switzer biography: lance eldridge son of carl switzer: lance switzer: carl switzer: Maybe you would like to learn more about one of these? Switzer began his career as a child actor in the mid-1930s appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. Carl Switzer with his wife and son. Relatives. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. The sirens were approaching. based on information from your browser. Elizabeth Beauchamp , Solomon Turpin. Switzer tweeted an update Monday following the procedure on his 9-month-old . Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American child actor, professional dog breeder and hunting guide, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best remembered characters. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Documentary about Alfalfa's life, with new details suggesting his death by gunshot was most likely not accidental. Carl attacked Stiltz, who made for a loaded gun. . Wasnt there another kid from the little Rascals that ended up dying on skid row as a junkie? Seems some of these "little rascals" grew up to become legit rascals: Alfalfa, Beckett, Robert Blake Alfalfa has BDF for days in that pic R23. And then I never saw him again. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American actor, professional dog breeder and hunting guide. Sign up for the newsletter today. Harold Switzer's life also ended tragically April 14, 1967, when he took his own life a few hours after killing a girlfriend.Always Close to Home812-238-6000EQUAL HOUSING LENDER MEMBER FDICFREEw w w. f i r s t - o n l i n e . "He was more of a part-time hunting guide," says his son, Lance. Tom Corrigan was Crash Corrigans son, and later, stepson to Bud Stiltz. Carl Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois in 1927. Most Popular #20553. He had three siblings: sister Janice, brother Harold, and another brother who died young. Enter a grandparent's name. Heiress of the grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain, Inc. and first wife of murdered Our Gang actor Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer who met and married the troubled child star on a blind date in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1954 and became the mother of his only known son Justin Lance Collingwood-Switzer, but the marriage lasted less than two years, ending in divorce in 1956. He said Piott broke a glass-domed clock over Stiltz's head, causing Stiltz's eye to swell shut. Stiltz described the ensuing events as follows. . Harold was born on January 16, 1925, in Paris, Illinois. In 1956, he co-starred in The Bowery Boys film Dig That Uranium followed by a bit part as a Hebrew slave in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. "Lance Switzer." Meanwhile, Stiltz had Jack Piott backed up against the kitchen counter at gunpoint, shouting that he was next. Here he is with the kid Elizabeth Taylor in 1942. During 1949 and 1950, the American artiste had uncredited roles in the movies 'A Letter to Three Wives' and 'House by the River'. Switzer had agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Samuel Stiltz. Ancestry of Carl "Alfalfa" SWITZER By April Robbins November 16, 2001 at 12:06:22. As a child, Carl Switzer physically injured other children and vandalized studio equipment on the Our Gang set. He and his ex-wife, Kay, divorced in 1981. Switzer was ordered to pay a $225 fine (more than $2,100 today). Birth. Carl Switzer, born as Carl Dean Switzer, was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide. Switzer and Stiltz struggled for the gun and it went off. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Carl Switzer (1011)? Here is what happened. [11], Corrigan said a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. 1. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Carl Alfalfa Switzer I found on Findagrave.com. Kansas, and Switzer took the offer. However, records show he operated a Speed Queen Company franchise, installing and servicing dryers and washers. He and his brother Harold became famous in their hometown for their musical talent and performances. Later that December, Switzer was arrested in Sequoia National Forest for cutting down 15 pine trees he had intended to illegally sell as Christmas trees. Web. Of all the kids, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was a goofy looking kid with freckles, greasy hair and a cowlick. 0 cemeteries found in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Both sang and could play a number of instruments. The date was August 8, 1927, and Switzer was one of four children. A critic said "it was a sad ending for someone who'd brought so much laughter to others. Carl Switzer was unhappy with being out $50 since the dog was not his but belonged to Stiltz. Tom Corrigan, came forward to testify. Have you taken a DNA test? Corrigan said his stepfather lied in his account of the event before the coroner's jury. Jack cried and begged for his life. Switzer then pulled a hunting knife and threatened to kill Stiltz. Diantha, or Dian, Collingwood was briefly the wife of Carl Switzer between 1954 and 1957. [quote] Switzer played the role of Freddie Othello in the Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life in 1946. Here's mine: He was basically common white trash who had no conception of how to comport his life in an upstanding way. Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer/Sons Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (later Justin Lance Collingwood Elridge) was born that year. He tortured his younger brother, Brussel. Cason, Colleen. However, the dog ran off at some point, and either Stiltz or Switzer offered a reward for the return of the lost animal. November 29, 2004 (74) Kansas, United States. Learn more about merges. Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. After quitting the show, Harold did not pursue an acting career. Corrigan said that Switzer grabbed the revolver and Stiltz and Switzer struggled over it. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. In 1938, Carl Switzer appeared as Alfalfa in several Our Gang's short films, including 'Canned Fishing', 'Came the Brawn', 'Hide and Shriek' and 'Football Romeo'. Stiltz then fired a shot that hit Switzer in the groin and damaged an artery. Wife of Richard Roswell Eldridge. Try again later. Some people couldn't cope. Corrigan said he saw a closed penknife at Switzer's side, which he presumed fell out of his pocket or his hand.