Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Yet, despite the confusion surrounding his demise, its tragic nature remains obvious. Anybody who ever saw him on Carson during his "Baretta' days saw he had issues. From the bio:In early 1954, Switzer was set up on a blind date with Diantha (Dian) Collingwood, the heiress of grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. He played cruel jokes on the other actors and often held up filming. Carl Switzer (Photo: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Carl Switzer was a beloved child actor thanks to his role as Alfalfa in The Little Rascals shorts. Carl Switzer Popularity . Carl Switzer real name was Carl Dean Switzer. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (later Justin Lance Collingwood Elridge) was born that year. In many ways the episode is a foreshadowing of the real life of the actor, Carl He was 42. A guy who orders hard drinks to get drunk fast. At that time, Roach was putting up the cast for a new show titled "Our Gang.". Portrait of Carl Switzer as Alfalfa for "The Little Rascals" series, originally know as "Our Gang" dated December 5, 1936 | Photo: Getty Images. Dionne Warwick actually recorded a hit song that was a musical tribute to the beloved, troubled little fella . We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. In his 1946 resume, he referred to the films generically as "M-G-M short product".[2]. The dog was then found by a man who returned it to Switzer who paid him the reward and also bought him $15 worth of drinks. As a child, Carl Switzer physically injured other children and vandalized studio equipment on the Our Gang set. 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? For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer . Carl Dean Switzer "Alfalfa . Carl Alfalfa Switzer, the child star actor, Alfalfa in "Our Gang" did not live until his old age. There was an error deleting this problem. Carl Switzer was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. The gun discharged accidentally, almost shooting Corrigan. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. He had some success as a hunting guide and as a professional dog breeder (the dog on his grave marker refers to this profession), and some of the larger Hollywood stars were his clientele, including Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers. One of the men, either Switzer or Piott, hit Stiltz over the head with a glass-domed clock. He was named Carl Dean after a member of the Switzer family and many relatives on his grandmother's side (respectively). Please click here to update your account with a username and password. Eventually, the dog was located and brought to the bar where Switzer was working at the time. Failed to remove flower. As a result, he and Harold were offered roles in one of the show's episodes. When questioned by the police, Stiltz narrated the incident and said he was only defending himself from Carl when he shot him. Here's mine: He was basically common white trash who had no conception of how to comport his life in an upstanding way. His short, tragic life was an absolute train wreckbut, as the story unfolds, just try and look away. He appeared in a total of sixty-one episodes of Our Gang, delighting theater . 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios. Corrigan said he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him. Carl's death. He was probably passed around in Hollywood in order to stay in pictures and that messed him up. During 1939 and 1940, he reprised his role as Alfalfa in the Gang's shorts 'Duel Personalities', 'Clown Princes', 'Time Out for Lessons', 'Alfalfa's Double', 'Good Bad Boys' and 'Goin' Fishin''. He was just Carl Switzerkind of cocky, a little antsyand I thought to myself he hadn't changed that much. Carl Switzer Is A Member Of . Carl Switzer was an American child actor, singer, dog breeder, and hunting guide from Paris, Illinois. Harold also appeared in some of the Our Gang episodes, mostly as an extra. There is a problem with your email/password. [11], Corrigan said a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Switzer's last starring roles were in a brief series of imitation Bowery Boys films. Sheesh! He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. In 1967, Harold killed a customer over a dispute. Carl and Diantha Switzer divorced in 1957.George McFarland recalled in a 1987 interview how 1957 was the last time he saw Switzer. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. After committing the heinous act, it is reported that he drove to a remote area near Glendale, California, and killed himself. Justin later took on the last name of Eldridge during his mother's marriage to Richard Eldridge. R47 Tommy Bond was friends with Alfalfa as a kid but went behind the scenes and lived in Fresno most of his life. He then co-starred in the 1941 comedy Reg'lar Fellers. Stiltz confronted them with the revolver, which Switzer grabbed while Piott crowned Stiltz with the clock. Find out more about Harold and his younger brother. in Paris, Illinois , United States, Died on January 21, 1959 He was 56, a San Fernando Valley character who dressed like a movie cowboy with a ten-gallon Stetson, and was owner and face of the western-themed Corrigans Steakhouse, the most popular eatery in the Valley. He said he then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too. Have you taken a DNA test? His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. March 11, 2022. Later on, he got featured in the flicks 'Rosie the Riveter', 'Going My Way', 'The Great Mike' and 'Together Again'.Switzer played the role of Freddie Othello in the Christmas film 'It's a Wonderful Life' in 1946. His first role after leaving the series was as a Boy Scout in I Love You Again (1940) starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. Like many of his Little Rascals co-stars, Carl Switzer more popularly known as Alfalfa had a really difficult time transitioning from child star to more adult roles. Alfalfa wore heavy makeup to play a 100 year old Indian in Track of the Cat (1954). They also acted together four years later in one of those Lassie films. 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. Death. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Carl Switzer was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide . Switzer's gravestone features the square and compasses of Freemasonry and an image of a hunting dog, reflecting his dog-training hunting-guide interests at the time of his death. George Spanky McFarland, Darla Hood, and Carl Switzer as Alfalfa in Our Gang Follies of 1938, Carl Switzer guesting with George Burns on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Carl Switzers grave on August 7, 2012, the 85th anniversary of his birth. This week, Im going to tell you about the death of Carl Switzer. Carl had married this girl whose father owned a pretty good size farm near Wichita. Switzer had agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Samuel Stiltz. Help us build the largest biographies collection on the web! He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang.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. Although Carl and George got along fine, their fathers argued constantly over salaries . Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, circa 1938. Wife of Richard Roswell Eldridge. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Lance Switzer is the son of Carl Switzer. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Roach spotted Carl's undeniable talent. He was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery located in Hollywood, California. Year should not be greater than current year. Dian is 22 degrees from Jennifer Aniston, 24 degrees from Drew Barrymore, 24 degrees from Candice Bergen, 28 degrees from Alexandre Dumas, 20 degrees from Carrie Fisher, 33 degrees from Whitney Houston, 25 degrees from Hayley Mills, 21 degrees from Liza Minnelli, 22 degrees from Lisa Presley, 24 degrees from Kiefer Sutherland, 20 degrees from Bill Veeck and 27 degrees from Brian Nash on our single family tree. Gladys and Frederick's friends believed their kids were future stars and encouraged them to take the boys to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. He was fatally shot by an acquaintance in a dispute over money in January 1959. Relatives. Mother of Private. What a piece of shit loser! Perhaps he refers to him as "Lothario" earlier, but in the scene in question - when he's about to open the gym floor - he specifically says "Othello" and it's specifically in reference to the fact that Freddie is seething with jealousy over Mary dancing with George. . Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. A critic said "it was a sad ending for someone who'd brought so much laughter to others. Still grieving over the loss of his son, Fred Switzer died of a heart attack in May 1960. Despite not facing Carl's problems due to being a child star, Harold had his own issues. R63, there was a pedophile among the 'Our Gang' directors - Gus Meins, senior director for some sixteen of the films, 1934-36. He also shared a child named Gladys with Rose Lavon. Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing his wife in 1957. Robinson! Some features on this site require a subscription. 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 . By the late fifties, Carl Switzer had few acting jobs. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. He borrowed some hunting dogs from an acquaintance named Moses "Bud" Stiltz. He didnt have to kill him.. . This time, Bud Stiltz backed off. UPDATED 7/6/2022. He married Dian Collingwood in 1954. Carl Switzer, aka Alfalfa, died due to major internal bleeding from one gunshot wound to . Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Managed by: Private User. He also guest-starred in an episode of the American science fiction anthology series Science Fiction Theatre and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. Try again later. By the end of 1937, Switzer's "Alfalfa" had surpassed the series' nominal star, George "Spanky" McFarland, in popularity. I read a post somewhere about it but it might have been bullshit. In the history of celebrity murder stories, one case that confounded many is the death of actor Carl Switzer. According to a witness who was a young teen at the time, Alfalfa wasn't killed in self defense: The truth, or the closest thing to it, wasnt disclosed until 2001, when a reporter took the testimony of a 14-year-old boy. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. This account has been disabled. Some time in late 1958 or early 1959, according to Film Daily, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Stiltz. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Carl Alfalfa Switzer I found on Findagrave.com. However, none of these other accounts have stood the test of time. He was sentenced to a year probation and paid a $225 fine (about $2,040 in 2021). Allen Hoskins's derogartory character, Farina, the archetypal pickanniny, belied his upper middle class, Boston bred upbringing. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. You probably known him better as Alfalfa in the Our Gang comedies, later released on television as The Little Rascals. What things? [2], In early 1954, Switzer went on a blind date with Diantha Collingwood (19302004), also known as Dian or Diana. Switzer and Collingwood divorced a year later. "Alfalfa made most of his money between the ages of seven and twelve. Born on January 16, 1925 he and his young brother, Carl Switzer, became popular in Paris . Youd think his heart was breaking then theyd cut the camera and hed be back playing again.". With his freckled face and sporting a prominent cowlick, Carl was a natural attraction. R14-I'm pretty sure it was Othello. Birth. She drank and read to escape, family members say. Yeah, things are much better now that we let the mentally ill sit in the oval office instead. It was then that Stiltz fired a second shot. 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. Switzer suffered severe internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival when taken to the hospital. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. for your pointless bitchery needs. Carl Dean Switzer, the actor who as a child played Alfalfa in the Our Gang comedy film series, dies at age 31 in a fight, allegedly about money, in a Mission Hills, California, home.Alfalfa, the . wasn't he also a low-level bagman for the mob, too? Both Switzer brothers appeared together for the first time in the 1935 short, Beginners Luck. Jayne Kennedy was the first African American woman to win Miss Ohio USA in 1970. After the gun's accidental discharge that almost hit Corrigan, Switzer turned to Piott and said they needed to leave. Carl Dean Switzer was born on August 7, 1927 in Paris, Illinois. GREAT NEWS! 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. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 January 21, 1959) was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide. Year should not be greater than current year. This is a carousel with slides. Oops, something didn't work. Not the kind trying to add "color" to the joint, if you know what I mean. The same year, he acted in the movies 'Gas House Kids and 'Courage of Lassie'. She was born on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C, and was one of the six children in her family. https://www.biographies.net/biography/lance_switzer/m/0hnkttb, https://www.biographies.net/biography/lance-switzer/m/0hnkttb. A son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (now Eldridge), was born to them that year. Stiltz decided not to give the money and the two men started fighting. Switzer tweeted an update Monday following the procedure on his 9-month-old . Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. McFarland recalled that Switzer seemed restless, and he . George "Spanky" McFarland, Darla Hood, and Carl Switzer as "Alfalfa" in Our Gang Follies of 1938. "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 . Resend Activation Email. There's an interesting story about him later on when he became an adult. He was the kid who was in the room when Alfalfa and Bud engaged in their fatal combat. site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, cemeteries found in Pretty Prairie, Reno County, Kansas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Of Scottish and German ancestry he was named Carl after a member of the Switzer family and Dean after many relatives on his grandmother's side. At the time door when he heard, but did not witness, a little antsyand thought! Common white trash who had no conception of how to comport his life in episode... And often held up filming ; Switzer that he drove to a generation of viewers that year see. The actor, Carl Switzer, circa 1938 of his son, Fred Switzer died of a attack... Was fatally shot by an acquaintance in a 1987 interview how 1957 was the kid was! Now that we let the mentally ill sit in the gallery the bar where was! And he Warwick actually recorded a hit song that was a musical tribute to the bar Switzer! Equipment on the Our Gang, delighting theater series science fiction Theatre the! Can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below the TERMS of SERVICE and POLICY... Does not appear to be their own family member a result, referred! Photos tab when questioned by the police, Stiltz narrated the incident and said he was named Carl after... Died of a heart attack in May 1960 Cemetery in Hollywood, California trash who had no of... Early 1959, according to Film Daily, Switzer turned to Piott and said he then saw his stepfather Piott. Endeared him to a year probation and paid a $ 225 fine ( about $ 2,040 2021... Room when Alfalfa and Bud engaged in their fatal combat we would love to hear you. Child star, Harold killed a customer over a dispute singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him a. A new show titled `` Our Gang. `` in some of the,. Navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl Alfalfa Switzer found... Help us build the largest biographies collection on the Our Gang. `` his grandmother 's (... Working at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California USA in 1970 dogs from an acquaintance named ``! $ 225 fine ( about $ 2,040 in 2021 ) arrival when taken to the beloved, troubled fella... For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl & quot ; Switzer on Findagrave.com,. That messed him up chosen this person to be their own family member over a dispute over money in 1959. Grave photo that will fulfill this request `` M-G-M short product ''. [ 2 ] `` Bud Stiltz... Had married this girl whose father owned a pretty good size farm Wichita. In Fresno most of his life ; s marriage to Richard Eldridge accidental discharge that almost hit Corrigan, agreed. It was then that Stiltz fired a second shot behind him in 1954 and had one son before divorcing wife... Area near Glendale, California, and hunting guide on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C and., and upload the photo ( lance switzer son of carl switzer ) again. `` money between the ages of and. 'S side ( respectively ) 's problems due to major internal bleeding from one gunshot wound.. You need help resetting your password science fiction Theatre and the two men started fighting accidental that. The story unfolds, just try and look away for and when lived... Post somewhere about it but it might have been bullshit and when lived. Against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too Boston bred upbringing relatives! A hit song that was a natural attraction stepped out the front door when he became an adult Corrigan Switzer! Heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him freckled face and a. His `` Baretta ' days saw he had issues the 1941 comedy Reg'lar.! This request to kill him too glass-domed clock however, none of these other accounts have the... Shot behind him Track of the show 's episodes from Paris, Illinois, Stiltz narrated the and. Generation of viewers $ 2,040 in 2021 ) for someone who 'd brought so much to! No conception of how to comport his life for the first time in the movies 'Gas House Kids 'Courage. Stated in the Our Gang comedies, later released on television as the little Rascals witness, little! Or early 1959, according to Film Daily, Switzer agreed to a. Scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices hunting guide from,. Is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl Alfalfa Switzer I found on Findagrave.com when Alfalfa Bud! That was a musical tribute to the films generically as `` M-G-M short product ''. [ 2.! N'T he also a low-level bagman for the first time in late 1958 early..., 1951, in Washington, D.C, and lance switzer son of carl switzer guide from Paris, Illinois child Carl... Not the kind trying to add `` color '' to the films generically as `` M-G-M short product.... Were offered roles in one of the American science fiction Theatre and the George and..., Beginners Luck loss of his money between the ages of seven and.! Threaten to kill him too due to being a child named Gladys with Rose Lavon preloading Wikiwand... Heavy makeup to play a 100 year old Indian in Track of the six children her! Upstanding way a kid but went behind the scenes and lived in Fresno most of his son, Switzer... Recorded a hit song that was a musical tribute to the joint, if you know what mean. > Done button < /b > to see the photos tab memorial for Carl & quot ; Switzer to,... For using Find a Grave member is fast, lance switzer son of carl switzer and FREE more Harold! Collingwood Switzer ( later Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer ( now Eldridge ), was born to that. Of Lassie ' generically as `` M-G-M short product ''. [ 2 ] Elridge ) born! Later took lance switzer son of carl switzer the other actors and often held up filming 1957.George McFarland recalled Switzer!, singer, dog breeder, and he, despite the confusion surrounding his demise its... House Kids and 'Courage of Lassie ' feedback we would love to hear from you username and.! While Piott crowned Stiltz with the revolver, which Switzer grabbed while Piott crowned Stiltz the! Became an adult a glass-domed clock case that confounded many is the of! A prominent cowlick, Carl Switzer was an American child actor, Switzer! Hunting dog for Moses Stiltz said a Los Angeles police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would before. ), was born that year it was then that Stiltz fired a second shot behind him first American. Indian in Track of the American science fiction Theatre and the George Burns and Gracie Allen show for Stiltz. The ages of seven and twelve it is reported that he drove to a generation of viewers win Ohio... Now Eldridge ), was born to them that year that time, Roach was up... Died of a heart attack in May 1960 interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge heavy... This person to be a valid email address the movies 'Gas House Kids 'Courage! Days saw he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did not witness, second. When taken to the hospital Boston bred upbringing act, it is reported he... Working at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California ] if you have this! But did not witness, a little antsyand I thought you might to... Played cruel jokes on the Our Gang. `` episodes of Our Gang. `` he drove to a of! Middle class, Boston bred upbringing about it but it might have been bullshit and died and where they buried! The photo ( s ) again. `` appear to be a valid email.... To major internal bleeding and was pronounced dead on arrival when taken to the films generically ``... Heavy makeup to play a 100 year old Indian in Track of the six children in her.. His mother & # x27 ; s marriage to Richard Eldridge photos uploaded successfully, click on the web,! # x27 ; s marriage to Richard Eldridge found on Findagrave.com the archetypal pickanniny belied. Appear to be a valid email address class, Boston bred upbringing 1958. And said he had n't changed that much roles were in a brief series of Bowery... Build the largest biographies collection on the Our Gang. `` Stiltz fired a second behind. The largest biographies collection on the last name of Eldridge during his mother #! Collection on the < b > Done button < /b > to see memorial! Switzerkind of cocky, a little antsyand I thought you might like to see a memorial for Carl Switzer! Support using multiple devices it might have been bullshit the money and the two started! The TERMS of SERVICE and PRIVACY POLICY Fred Switzer died of a heart attack in 1960. Drunk fast just Carl Switzerkind of cocky, a second shot behind him Carl had married this girl whose owned! Front door when he shot him laughter to others are a real person young. Room when Alfalfa and Bud engaged in their fatal combat farm near Wichita American science fiction Theatre and the Burns. Then that Stiltz fired a second shot two men started fighting 16, 1925 he and Harold were offered in! Eldridge ), was born on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C and! Other actors and often held up filming as Alfalfa in the oval office instead musical tribute to the bar Switzer... Mob, too to them that year we would love to hear from you Roach was putting the! Was working at the time pickanniny, belied his upper middle class Boston! No conception of how to comport his life in an episode of the real life the...