However, with Carl facing hard times, he visited Stiltz in the company of his friend, Jack Piott. This account has been disabled. Search above to list available cemeteries. . 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. He died on January 21, 1959, the victim of a killer's bullet as he and another man argued over a lost hunting dog. He didnt have to kill him.. A system error has occurred. "It was more like murder," Corrigan told reporters. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 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 . Switzer and Piott intended to demand money from Stiltz. ^ I believe he said "Lothario," not "Othello.". Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer [5] (now Eldridge), [6] was born that year. He dodged a bullet on that one! Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer, Justin Lance Collingwood Eldrigde. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. Carl Switzer (left) as Alfalfa and George McFarland as Spanky in the 1938 film Canned Fishing | Photo: Getty Images, While at the tour, Harold and Carl performed one of their numbers and impressed Hal Roach, who invited them for auditions. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder and guide. Sorry! At that time, Roach was putting up the cast for a new show titled "Our Gang.". Corrigan said his two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. Garden City. Harold's death occurred nine years after his younger brother died in similarly tragic circumstances. Carl Switzer, born as Carl Dean Switzer, was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Carl Dean Switzer "Alfalfa . 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? All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. When Switzers stint with Our Gang ended in 1940, he continued to act but not frequently and often in uncredited bit parts. Switzer and Stiltz struggled for the gun and it went off. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. In the end, a jury ruled the incident justifiable homicide, with Stiltz walking away free. He also had a run-in with the law. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In this exploration we take a look back at the life and death of child star Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer. She was the daughter of Lelo and Faye Collingwood, and a heiress to the grain elevator empire Collingwood Grain. Harold was born on January 16, 1925, in Paris, Illinois. He was an uncredited slave in the movie. The oldest brother died in 1922. He was the Redmond O'Neal of his day - an neglected punk, a ruffian, a sociopath, a criminal. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Try again later. [5] They divorced in 1957. The date was August 8, 1927, and Switzer was one of four children. Login . Ex-wife of Carl "Alfalfa" Dean Switzer. Of all the kids, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was a goofy looking kid with freckles, greasy hair and a cowlick. So we had lunch. But he was a gas on that show. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. Sometimes he feels guilty because the marriage didn't work out and I look at him like he's nuts. By the late fifties, Carl Switzer had few acting jobs. Since Carl's demise, there have been different accounts of his death. He became famous for portraying Alfalfa in the film series "Our Gang" during the 1930s. Arguably, this ranks among Datalounge's most depressing threads. It's a problem that's plagued young performers since pretty much the advent of movies, but Carl would try to make the best of the hand he was dealt though it would all ultimately have a tragic end . R44, it's too bad the teachers couldn't just beat the shit out of those assholes; it's really the only thing they understand. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Diantha Switzer Eldridge (21452451)? Please click here to update your account with a username and password. One of the men, either Switzer or Piott, hit Stiltz over the head with a glass-domed clock. First Name Carl #8. They had a son together but divorced in 1957. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Try again later. Family members linked to this person will appear here. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery located in Hollywood, California. [2] Alfalfa also sported a cowlick. More details about his death with good photos of him. The actor then had uncredited roles in the 1943 films 'The Human Comedy' and 'Dixie'. Dionne Warwick actually recorded a hit song that was a musical tribute to the beloved, troubled little fella . Although Carl and George got along fine, their fathers argued constantly over salaries . For several years, he operated a Speed Queen Company franchise, installing and servicing washers and dryers. [italic] What's It All About, Alfalfie ? Try again later. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He was the kid who was in the room when Alfalfa and Bud engaged in their fatal combat. The way their lives panned out and the tragic nature of their deaths not only leaves a sad taste in the mouth and begs the question of what could have been. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. . There is a problem with your email/password. He Loved Music. [quote] Switzer played the role of Freddie Othello in the Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life in 1946. Corrigan said that an intoxicated Switzer knocked at the door and said, Western Union for Bud Stiltz. When Stiltzs wife opened the door, the two men entered, and Switzer threatened to beat up Stiltz. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. With his freckled face and sporting a prominent cowlick, Carl was a natural attraction. "Well, we shot Tommy, enough of this," he said he recalled Switzer saying, just before Switzer and Piott started to leave the house. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. SWITZER - Friends of Carl E. Switzer, who died Friday, March 2, 2018, will be received from noon until 3 and 6 to 8 p.m . He was the son of George Frederick Switzer (father) and Gladys C. Shanks (mother). You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. This led to an argument. Harold had two nicknames, Slim and Deadpan, while Carl became Alfalfa.. 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. Corrigan said he had just stepped out the front door when he heard, but did not witness, a second shot behind him. . And then I never saw him again. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Tom Corrigan, came forward to testify. [9], Corrigan was never called to testify at the coroner's inquest, and Stiltz testified in his own favor. We talked about all the things you'd expect. Please try again later. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. 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 . After leaving "Our Gang," Carl took up more minor roles in films and television. His short, tragic life was an absolute train wreckbut, as the story unfolds, just try and look away. Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. The brothers first appeared in its short 'Beginner's Luck'.Soon after this, the brothers were cast in some of the gang's short films, including 'Teacher's Beau', 'Sprucin' Up' and 'Our Gang Follies of 1936' in 1935. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. When questioned by the police, Stiltz narrated the incident and said he was only defending himself from Carl when he shot him. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. . Documentary about Alfalfa's life, with new details suggesting his death by gunshot was most likely not accidental. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer . However, Switzer was known for being abrasive and difficult on the set. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. We have set your language to Managed by: Private User. Failed to delete memorial. Resend Activation Email. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Carl Switzer decided to train a hunting dog for an individual named Moses Samuel Stiltz. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Elridge (1933-2007), who adopted and raised Lance as . This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. A critic said "it was a sad ending for someone who'd brought so much laughter to others. Character: Alfalfa Switzer Birthday: August 7, 1927 Place of Birth: Paris, Illinois Date of Death: January 21, 1959 Place of Death: Mission Hills, California First Short: Beginner's Luck Last Short: Kiddie Kure Number of Shorts: 61 History: Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was lucky to be one of the most famous Little Rascals in the Our Gang series. His testimony was taken to be truthful, despite physical evidence that contradicted his account and his past perjury conviction. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 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. Death. I read a post somewhere about it but it might have been bullshit. The Life Summary of Carl Dean. Some of these jobs included stints as a bartender and hunting guide. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. At this point, Switzer seemed to realize things were out of control. [quote] there was a pedophile among the 'Our Gang' directors - Gus Meins, senior director for some sixteen of the films, 1934-36. He was Movies (Actor) by profession. Some time in late 1958 or early 1959, according to Film Daily, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Stiltz. Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. [6] The gunman was never caught. You are completely wrong. He taught me all I know. The show was a favorite across the nation, and many parents were dying to get their own children to appear on the show. Immediate Family: Daughter of Lelo Paul Collingwood and Faye Collingwood. 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. He was fatally shot by an acquaintance in a dispute over money in January 1959. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Try again later. A son was born early that year, and the couple was divorced later in 1956. Stiltz confronted them with the revolver, which Switzer grabbed while Piott crowned Stiltz with the clock. I agree he had BDF for days. There was a problem getting your location. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. Alfalfa wore heavy makeup to play a 100 year old Indian in Track of the Cat (1954). The threat was followed by a struggle that began with one of the men, Switzer or Piott, striking Stiltz with the clock. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Learn more about managing a memorial . Not the kind trying to add "color" to the joint, if you know what I mean. Someone found the dog and brought it to the bar where Switzer was working as a bartender. Corrigan said they heard emergency sirens as Piott begged for his life, and that he thought this was the only reason Stiltz did not kill Piott. Carl Switzer Alfa Alfa in Simpatiche canaglie (dal 1935 al 1940). Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. The gun discharged accidentally, almost shooting Corrigan. Two years later, he became a part of the crime flick 'The Defiant Ones'. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. His son, Justin Lance Collingwood-Switzwer (aka "Lance Switzer"), is a small time theater actor. Later in his career, Switzer's acting roles were limited to bit parts . Try again. ", Carl Switzer as Alfalfa, George McFarland as Spanky, Billie Thomas as Buckwheat and Eugene Lee as Porky in "Framing Youth," circa September 11, 1937. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. 2023. In the midst of his legal and financial woes, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog, a Treeing Walker Coonhound,[7] for Moses Samuel "Bud" Stiltz. 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. He's the guy who opens the gym floor in It's a Wonderful Life. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Stiltz's account of the event was one of self-defense, testifying that Switzer had banged on his front door, yelling "Let me in, or I'll kick in the door." 0 cemeteries found in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. It was a tough time for meand him. After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" (1946), and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. based on information from your browser. Unfortunately, the dog disappeared after running after a bear. While in Switzer's possession, the dog ran off, to chase after a bear. He and Piott started to leave. This time, Bud Stiltz backed off. Take a look at Carl Switzer's personal life and career were slowly declining. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. | Photo: Getty Images. Carl had an older brother named Harold Switzer. Switzer had a reunion with his former co-star George McFarland in 1957. . However, they divorced in 1957. No doubt he did. On January 21, 1959, Switzer told Stiltz that he should pay him the reward money. In 1952, Switzer switched to television and joined the cast of 'The Roy Rogers Show'. In r23 he looks just like a guy I knew in high school who was a scary, aggressive asshole. After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. . Collingwood had moved with her mother and sister to California from Hutchinson in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress. Born on January 16, 1925 he and his young brother, Carl Switzer, became popular in Paris . He died on 21 January 1959, in Mission . In 2002, it was revealed that Switzer's son's name is Lance, per his cousin's statement on ancestry.com. As an adult, he appeared mainly in bit parts and B-movies. 1. Though differing accounts of the event exist, all agree that Stiltz was struck over the left side of his head with a glass clock. English Investigators found it under Switzers body at the crime scene. Verify and try again. The sirens were approaching. [2], In early 1954, Switzer went on a blind date with Diantha Collingwood (19302004), also known as Dian or Diana. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang.Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. Born on August 8, 1927 in U.S, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer started his career as actor (1927-1959) . Also in 1958, Carl agreed to train a Treeing Walker Coonhound for friend and sometimes business partner Moses Bud Stiltz. Try again later. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Tragically, Carl Switzer was shot in killed in the midst of a drug-fueled argument on January 21, 1959. Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer was born on August 7, 1927 in Paris, Illinois, USA as Carl Dean Switzer. He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer , one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. Yeah, things are much better now that we let the mentally ill sit in the oval office instead. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He married Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and had a son named Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer before divorcing in 1957. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters, while Harold had been relegated to the background. The dog ran away while chasing a bear and Stiltz insisted Switzer either return the dog or pay him its value. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 1 daughter. Carlton "Carl" "Alfalfa" Dean Switzer (Paris, 7 aot 1927 - mission Hills, 21 janvier 1959) Ce fut un acteur tats-Unis.. 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Although Carl and George got along fine, their fathers argued constantly over salaries in 1946 the daughter Lelo... Switzer told Stiltz that he should pay him the reward money appear on the photos.. Complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person this window, and many parents dying. Photos in the short subjects series Our Gang. `` Angeles County, California an individual Moses. That he should pay him its value a dispute over money in January 1959 in. Let us know you are a real person a system error has occurred the two men,!