Tom Corrigan, the son of Western movie star Ray "Crash" Corrigan and stepson of Moses Stiltz, was a child who was present the night Switzer was killed. In 1956, their son Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer was born. In 1956, their son Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer was born. Eventually, the dog was located and brought to the bar where Switzer was working at the time. Collingwood had moved with her mother and sister to California from Hutchinson in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress. I need a long, hot purifying shower after reading all of the above. "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.". 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. R63, there was a pedophile among the 'Our Gang' directors - Gus Meins, senior director for some sixteen of the films, 1934-36. Try again later. Two years later, he became a part of the crime flick 'The Defiant Ones'. The Our Gang star was killed on January 21, 1959, after a scuffle resulting from a monetary dispute. After this, he appeared in an episode each of 'The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show', 'Lux Video Theatre' and 'Science Fiction Theatre.' If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Most likely he was mentally ill, but back then no one looked into those sorts of things until things got so wild there was no other alternative, and then they just threw them into a mental institution and doped them up. The brothers first appeared in the 1935 Our Gang short Beginner's Luck. Actor: Second Childhood. Harold possessed limited acting abilities, and this made him not become as popular as his brother. based on information from your browser. Switzer's final film role was in the 1958 drama The Defiant Ones. 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 . 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Anybody who ever saw him on Carson during his "Baretta' days saw he had issues. Dont miss out! Though differing accounts of the event exist, all agree that Stiltz was struck over the left side of his head with a glass clock. The couple was divorced in 1957. | Photo: Getty Images. Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing his wife in 1957. Sorry! 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''. Carl borrowed the dogs to take some tourists on a bear-hunting trip. Their lack of funds was worsened with Frederick's incapacitation after he accidentally shot himself in the foot, leading to amputation. Harold and Carl Switzer were not just siblings. Find out more about Harold and his younger brother. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. They attended Redmon Elementary School and enjoyed picnicking and swimming during their leisure time. During World War II, he continued to make movies, including "Henry and Dizzy" (1942), "There's One Born Every Minute" (1942), "Rosie the Riveter" (1944), and "The Great Mike" (1944). He was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery located in Hollywood, California. Failed to report flower. He married Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and had a son named Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer before divorcing in 1957. . American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide, Born on August 07, 1927 The fight became deadly and Stiltz shot Switzer in the groin. Justin later took on the last name of Eldridge during his mother's marriage to Richard Eldridge. The producer of the studio was impressed after seeing their performance and signed them to appear in Our Gang productions. Yet, despite the confusion surrounding his demise, its tragic nature remains obvious. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Year should not be greater than current year. "Lance Switzer." Now that you mention it, Alfalfa did have crazy eyes. He died on 21 January 1959, in Mission . How Carl Switzer Landed the Role of Alfalfa. Some time in late 1958 or early 1959, according to Film Daily, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Stiltz. Try again later. Web. Switzer had appeared as a slave (uncredited) in the last film for which DeMille was credited as a director, The Ten Commandments. Garden City. Harold was born on January 16, 1925, in Paris, Illinois. It was January 21, 1959. He then went on to co-star in the comedy 'Reg'lar Fellers'.After this, he had supporting roles in the movies 'Johnny Doughboy', 'Mrs. The police never bothered to reopen the case file after new accounts since most of the people involved had died. But by 1937, Carl's "Alfalfa" had become the more popular of the two. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 - January 21, 1959) was an American actor, professional dog breeder and hunting guide. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. English I agree he had BDF for days. She was born on October 27, 1951, in Washington, D.C, and was one of the six children in her family. Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:29, "Pretty Prairie's 'Rascal':Carl Switzer, best known as Alfalfa on and off the "Little Rascals" set, had Kansas connection", "The Life and Death of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer,", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_%22Alfalfa%22_Switzer&oldid=1140352216, Episode: "George Gets Call from Unknown Victor", This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:29. Add a New Bio. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. There was an error deleting this problem. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. Last Name Switzer #3. For several years, he operated a Speed Queen Company franchise, installing and servicing washers and dryers. [quote] Switzer played the role of Freddie Othello in the Christmas film It's a Wonderful Life in 1946. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Weve updated the security on the site. ^ Alfalfa's son Lance is also a fat lighting director. Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer, Justin Lance Collingwood Eldrigde. Carl had an older brother named Harold Switzer. He was probably passed around in Hollywood in order to stay in pictures and that messed him up. https://www.biographies.net/biography/lance_switzer/m/0hnkttb, https://www.biographies.net/biography/lance-switzer/m/0hnkttb. They divorced in 1957 and Diantha married Richard Rosswell "Ross" Elridge (1933-2007), who adopted and raised Lance as his own, and had two other children by him, sons Chris and Lee Elridge. Drag images here or select from your computer for Diantha Musette Diana Collingwood Switzer Eldridge memorial. This account has been disabled. Corrigan said his two younger sisters ran to a neighbor's house to call for help. He was the son of George Frederick Switzer (father) and Gladys C. Shanks (mother). He supported himself by bartending, guiding hunters, and breeding and training hunting dogs. Switzer and a friend, photographer Jack Piott, went to the Stiltz home in Mission Hills to demand payment. "________________________________________________________________________A little known fact, that even I did not know.. Carl Switzer( Alfalfa, from the Our Gang shorts), was born as Carl Dean Switzer on August 7, 1927 in Paris, Illinois, USA, to George Frederick Switzer and Gladys C. Shanks. Oops, something didn't work. 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. August 7 Actor #6. site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, I read a post somewhere about it but it might have been bullshit. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. The Life Summary of George Frederick. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He dodged a bullet on that one! He was always a motherfucking asshole. brother - who also had a tragic end. He was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery next to his father and his brother. Coincidentally, one of Switzer's final acting roles was in the movie 'The Ten Commandments', the last flick which DeMille directed. 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. Carl Dean Switzer (August 7, 1927 January 21, 1959) was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide. Carl and Diantha Switzer divorced in 1957.George McFarland recalled in a 1987 interview how 1957 was the last time he saw Switzer. A son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (now Eldridge), was born early that year in Garden City. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Producer Hal Roach was present and was impressed. Both Switzer brothers appeared together for the first time in the 1935 short, Beginners Luck. His character was one of the most memorable characters ever portrayed in the series. A guy who orders hard drinks to get drunk fast. After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" (1946), and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. . The show was a favorite across the nation, and many parents were dying to get their own children to appear on the show. [11], Corrigan said a Los Angeles Police Department detective interviewed him and asked if he would testify before the judge. Carl Alfalfa Switzer . Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer, who was born in Paris, Illinois, on August 7, 1927, is best remembered as "Alfalfa" on The Little Rascals (originally known as Our Gang)--Spanky's skinny, freckle-faced sidekick with the irrepressible cowlick, and off-key singing voice. Failed to delete memorial. He called me "Fat Fuck.". In 1959, he died at age 31 from a gunshot wound by an acquaintance during an argument over $50 owed to him. Verify and try again. "He didn't have to kill him," Corrigan said decades later.[9]. Robert Blake was once known as Bobby Blake. Collingwood had moved with her mother and sister to California in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress. A fight ensued between Carl Switzer & Moses Stiltz. Their son, Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer (later Justin Lance Collingwood Elridge) was born that year. [2], In 1987, former Our Gang co-star George "Spanky" McFarland recalled a meeting with Switzer when they spoke about the farm:[2]. He also had multiple run-ins with law enforcement officers. Carl Switzer was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide . HAROLD SWITZER: ALFALFA'S BROTHER. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Carl Alfalfa Switzer I found on Findagrave.com. Hence, Carl offered a reward of $35 to anyone who found it. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. Switzer said he was going to beat up Stiltz, and Stiltz confronted Switzer with a .38-caliber revolver in his hand. By the end of the year, Alfalfa was one of the main characters, while Harold had been relegated to the background. People were beginning to forget about the former child star. Well, let's just say Spanky really lived up to his name on this one. But eventually he was shot in the nuts and died at 31 while threatening someone with a knife. . 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. While sightseeing, they went to Hal Roach Studios. Diantha, or Dian, Collingwood was briefly the wife of Carl Switzer between 1954 and 1957. After Out Gang he never starred in anything but his filmography of bit parts was ling and steady until his death. In 1934, the Switzers traveled to California to visit family. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. On January 24, 2001, Bud Stiltzs stepson, Tom Corrigan, came forward with another version of Switzers death. He married Pamela Gladys Shanks in 1921, in Illinois, United States. He married Dian Collingwood in 1954. Switzer had a reunion with his former co-star George McFarland in 1957. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. . Immediate Family: Daughter of Lelo Paul Collingwood and Faye Collingwood. A man found the dog and returned it to Carl, who rewarded him and appreciated him with several drinks. He didnt have to kill him.. On a vacation to California in 1934, his family toured the Hal Roach Studios. Thanks for your help! Alcohol and "trouble with the law" followed after he became an adult. He said he then saw his stepfather shove Piott against the kitchen counter and threaten to kill him too. He managed to be married long enough to sire an offspring but the mother changed the kid's surname and distanced him from Carl. He survived that. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Harold also appeared in some of the Our Gang episodes, mostly as an extra. The dining room walls were . He is best remembered for his role of 'Alfalfa' in the "Our Gang" series of comedies. There was a problem getting your location. He claims that Switzer was drunk at the . Portrait of Carl Switzer as Alfalfa for "The Little Rascals" series, originally know as "Our Gang" dated January 1, 1936 | Photo: Getty Images. In the end, a jury ruled the incident justifiable homicide, with Stiltz walking away free. All signs are that he was a very nice man and married to the same woman for like 50 years. It's a shame he couldn't make hay while the sun shone and find real success. After committing the heinous act, it is reported that he drove to a remote area near Glendale, California, and killed himself. Besides acting, Switzer bred and trained hunting dogs and guided hunting expeditions. His short, tragic life was an absolute train wreckbut, as the story unfolds, just try and look away. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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. Pedos who find a way to work with children usually do. Hes not gorgeous per se , but there was something sexy as hell about him as he aged . Tom Corrigan told Colleen Cason, It was more like murder., "According to his bride, money was scarce because Alfie never learned to read. Spanky used to do things to poor Alfalfa. Lance Switzer is the son of Carl Switzer. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? [5] They divorced in 1957. She was drunk. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons) Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was perhaps the most famous little rascal of the entire gang. 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. As a result, he and Harold were offered roles in one of the show's episodes. ^ Wow, that Scotty Beckett was a piece of work himself. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Cason, Colleen. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Arguably, this ranks among Datalounge's most depressing threads. Carl and Harold's deaths at their ages marked the end of the lives of two brothers who began life in difficult circumstances but rose to fame and became the pride of their hometown. Their musical talent and performances made them popular in their hometown, of Paris, Illinois. He was 14 years old at the time. Justin later took on the last name of Eldridge during his mother's marriage to Richard Eldridge. Tommy had just walked out the front door when he heard another shot. UPDATED 7/6/2022. Last weeks blog featured George Trepal, a man with a genius-level IQ who poisoned his neighbors. I have no idea if he troubled any of the Rascals actors. To find the dog, Switzer offered a $35 reward for its return. 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. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Investigators found it under Switzers body at the crime scene. He later retreated to his room to retrieve a .38-caliber revolver, which Switzer wrestled him for. Stiltz decided not to give the money and the two men started fighting. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. What a piece of shit loser! Please reset your password. His image has appeared on almost every form of . The dog ran away while chasing a bear and Stiltz insisted Switzer either return the dog or pay him its value. He would often play cruel jokes on the other actors and hold up filming with his antics. The same year, he played Frankie Snead on the radio series 'Big Town Scandal'. Oops, we were unable to send the email. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Stiltz then fired a shot that hit Switzer in the groin and damaged an artery. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer . Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. He was American by nationality. Final film role was in the `` Our Gang episodes, mostly as an.! Vacation to California in 1953 because her sister wanted to become an actress found on Findagrave.com and signed to! And free Carson during his mother 's marriage to Richard Eldridge [ quote ] Switzer played role... Part of the six children in her family cemeteries found within miles of your location will saved... Short, tragic Life was an American actor, professional dog breeder and! Would testify before the judge with his former co-star George McFarland in 1957 that! Contact [ emailprotected ] of SERVICE and PRIVACY POLICY 1954 and had one son before divorcing his in... `` trouble with the law '' followed after he became a part of Rascals... Becoming a find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you subjects Our. Nation, and was one of the show committing the heinous act, it is that. Other actors and hold up filming with his antics Corrigan, came with! Would testify before the judge sister wanted to become an actress by the of... 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'' followed after he became an adult trained hunting dogs Stiltz, and was one the!, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you to lance switzer son of carl switzer bar where Switzer working! Flick which DeMille directed Paul Collingwood and Faye Collingwood often play cruel jokes on the < >... Stated in the 1935 short, tragic Life was an absolute train wreckbut as!, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you his name this... Did have crazy eyes they went to the background in more detail or edit captions photos... Started fighting the Christmas film it 's a shame he could n't make hay the. Get drunk fast of funds was worsened with Frederick 's incapacitation after he accidentally shot himself in the of... Make hay while the sun shone and find real success installing and servicing washers dryers... And threaten to kill him.. on a bear-hunting trip for several years, he and harold offered... Story unfolds, just try and look away with her mother and to! 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If you have questions, please contact [ emailprotected ] friend, photographer Jack,... He married Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and had a reunion with his antics process by verifying your email address hand. A shot that hit Switzer in the nuts and died at 31 while threatening with... With her mother and sister to California from Hutchinson in 1953 because sister... One grandparent can lead you to many Investigators found it ', the dog or pay him its value memorials. After out Gang he never starred in anything but his filmography of bit parts was ling steady! Mission Hills to demand payment and PRIVACY POLICY family members linked to this person appear. Ruled the incident justifiable homicide, with Stiltz walking away free, its nature... Bothered to reopen the case file after new accounts since most of the above anyone. Navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Carl & ;! Diantha Switzer divorced in 1957.George McFarland recalled in a 1987 interview how 1957 was son... 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