Harold Switzer
Encyclopedia
Harold Frederick Switzer (January 16, 1925 – April 14, 1967) was an American
child actor
, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang
short subjects series as an extra. He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters.
, the first son of Gladys C. Shanks (née
Doerr) and G. Frederick Switzer. He and younger brother Carl became famous around their hometown for their musical talent and performances; both sang and played a number of instruments.
in 1934 to visit with family members. While sightseeing they eventually wound up at Hal Roach
Studios. Following a public tour of the facility, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered into the Hal Roach
Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria
, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Roach was present at the commissary that day and was impressed by the performance. He signed both Switzers to appear in Our Gang. Harold was given two nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan," and Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa."
The Switzer brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short, Beginner's Luck
. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters in the series, while Harold had more or less been relegated to the role of a background player. Both Alfalfa and Harold outgrew the series by 1940, with Harold's last appearance in The Big Premiere
.
and committed suicide
. He was 42.
Harold Switzer is interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
in Hollywood, California, alongside his brother Carl.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
child actor
Child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting in motion pictures or television, but also to an adult who began his or her acting career as a child; to avoid confusion, the latter is also called a former child actor...
, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
short subjects series as an extra. He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
Carl Switzer
Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer 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.-Early life and family:Switzer was born in Paris,...
, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters.
Early life and family
Switzer was born in Paris, IllinoisParis, Illinois
Paris is a city in Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois, USA, south of Chicago, and west of Indianapolis. In 1900, 6,105 people lived in Paris, Illinois; in 1910, 7,664; and in 1940, 9,281. The population was 8,837 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edgar County.-Geography:Paris is...
, the first son of Gladys C. Shanks (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Doerr) and G. Frederick Switzer. He and younger brother Carl became famous around their hometown for their musical talent and performances; both sang and played a number of instruments.
Our Gang
The Switzers took a trip to CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1934 to visit with family members. While sightseeing they eventually wound up at Hal Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
Studios. Following a public tour of the facility, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered into the Hal Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
Studio's open-to-the-public cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
, the Our Gang Café, and began an impromptu performance. Producer Hal Roach was present at the commissary that day and was impressed by the performance. He signed both Switzers to appear in Our Gang. Harold was given two nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan," and Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa."
The Switzer brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short, Beginner's Luck
Beginner's Luck
Beginner's Luck is a 1935 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 135th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters in the series, while Harold had more or less been relegated to the role of a background player. Both Alfalfa and Harold outgrew the series by 1940, with Harold's last appearance in The Big Premiere
The Big Premiere
The Big Premiere is a 1940 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 188th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
.
Adult years and death
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. For several years, he operated a Speed Queen Company franchise, installing and servicing washer and dryers. In 1967, after killing a customer over a dispute, Switzer drove himself to a remote area near Glendale, CaliforniaGlendale, California
Glendale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population is 191,719, down from 194,973 at the 2000 census. making it the third largest city in Los Angeles County and the 22nd largest city in the state of California...
and committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. He was 42.
Harold Switzer is interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles, California. It is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood...
in Hollywood, California, alongside his brother Carl.