It was a perfect storm of comedy. However, Holmes retired from the entertainment industry early on and has chosen to stay out of the spotlight. She's reportedly living in Los Angeleswith her husband, pursuing a degree in political science. As mentioned before, Holmes had a small part in a movie in the same year as the reunion, but since then, we'd like to assume she's living her best life, and in incredibly private one at that. It all stems from the fact that they just wanted to see each other.". Bagley reunited with the "Fresh Prince" cast for the HBO Max reunion in 2020. Tedford, along with the rest of the main cast, reunited in 2014 for a 20th anniversary photo shoot organized by production company 22 Vision. Even the big stars had to chase around and audition; it seemed like a rat race to me, with no security. Of being part of The Little Rascals, he added, I enjoyed it. The Little Rascals never left her after all those years, with Darla enthusing, I had a very happy childhood. We got along real good as kids." Its safe to say that this group of children started something, as their appeal continues to this day. He lived in East Los Angeles with his parents and 13 siblings, which his paycheck provided support for. Simply the Worlds Most Interesting Travel Site, This Is What Darla From 'The Little Rascals' Looks Like Now, Here's What 'Little Rascals' Star Bug Hall Looks Like Now, where the cast of 'Little Rascals' is today, Child Star Kyla Pratt Shocks Fans With Her Ageless Good Looks. The kids from The Little Rascals each had their own distinct personality and image that earned them their nicknames. The hat was gifted to him by comedian Stan Laurel, who had also worked under Our Gang creator Hal Roach in shorts and films in which he teamed up with Oliver Hardy (hence Laurel & Hardy). He co-starred with Will Smith again in the 1996 film "Independence Day.". Their legend continued on the big screen in the 1994 Universal release, The Little Rascals, which was a feature film loosely based on interpretations of those classic Our Gang shorts. It took some doing, notedHuffPost, as Brittany was reluctant to join her former cast-mates. RELATED: 10 Movies To Watch If You Love The Little Rascals (1994). What a gang! He was last seen in the 2010 horror The Final, following which he took a hiatus from acting. Ewing also appeared in an episode of "Below Deck" as a charter guest. The same year as "Little Rascals," Tedford was the first "advertising-spokeskid" for Welch's. Roach just happened to be there and was so impressed that he signed them both on the spot. And who could blame her? The link to this photo or video may be broken, or the post may have been removed. The vice-president of the 'He-Man Women Haters Club', Stymie was played by Kevin Jamal Woods. Later on, Rivkin again cast her in her final adult role in a Vincent Price-led Horror flick called The Bat in 1959. She started in the series in 1928, just as the silent era was ending, and left in 1931 at age 8. But after the photos were done, Brittany effectively disappeared again. This story may contain some links from which we may earn a small affiliate commission. Woods appeared in 14 episodes of "Blossom" from 1994 to 1995, around the time that the film came out. One of her most memorable moments was singing "I'm in the Mood for Love" in The Pinch Singer. Eugene died at age 71 in 2005 after a battle with cancer. Spanky entertained with games, craft making, skits, informational segments, and interviews, all in between reruns of The Little Rascals shorts. George Robert Phillips McFarland was born October 2, 1928, in Dallas. Much like his co-stars, after the film, he acted in many classic sitcoms and cartoons like "Babe," the TV adaptation of "The Shining," "ER," and more. Carl was dubbed Alfalfa and, over the course of the films, he became best friends with Spanky and, of course, was always pursuing Darla. AOL offers that Brittany Ashton Holmes loves traveling, too, although it's unclear where that info came from while, as per Daily Edge, she's working as a dog groomer these days. The group remained with Murray's Blackouts during its long run in New York City and Hollywood. Travis Tedford played Spanky, the president of the "He-Man Woman-Haters Club." He tended to tell the same handful of anecdotes whenever he was interviewed, and there was one he always told and it could be true, it could be apocryphal, it could be a mild exaggeration of the truth, but it doesnt sound improbable. Rivkin, who discovered her as a child, cast her in The Bat her last film role in 1959. Hal Roach noted how much the 18-month-old toddler looked like Our Gang star Spanky McFarland, also from Texas. She didnt make it and died suddenly of heart failure on June 13, 1979, at age 47. He elaborated, "This wasn't about the tabloid. Who doesnt remember the shock of freckles on Alfalfas nose and the lock of hair that stood up on his head? In 1957, Darla was a regular performer on The Merv Griffin Show for the American Broadcasting Network. Unfortunately, afterwords he couldnt get out from under the Spanky stereotype and worked odd jobs at a soft drink plant, a hamburger stand, and a popsicle factory. ", Tedford is now a retired child star his Instagram bio says he's a "marketing pro." he continued acting for a bit, including a small role in Its a Wonderful Life as Donna Reeds date at the high school dance. I wouldnt take a million dollars for the experience, and I wouldnt take a penny to do it again.. Perhaps, then, Holmes simply had such a great time during her first acting job that it spoiled her for life. Her last public appearance, as far as we can tell, was at the 20th reunion celebration for The Little Rascals, during which she revealed that she. , and his final actin endeavor was in 1958, in the Tony Curtis-led film. Darlas mom introduced her to performing at an early age. Known for their exciting adventures and comedic moments, The Little Rascals franchise includes books, short films, TV shows, and a feature film. She then stepped back from acting entirely until 2014, when the Little Rascals star featured as "Townslady Britt" in TV short We Hate Paul Revere. From 1935 to 1941, she continued to play in Our Gang. Blakes parents began a song-and-dance act in 1936 with his three siblings, billed as The Three Little Hillbillies. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1938, where the kids began working as movieextras. Darla Hood then went solo with singing engagements in nightclubs and guest appearances on TV. Symon focused on making herself a brand in the 2010s, mainly appearing as herself in projects as well as co-hosting "The View" from 2015 to 2016. , and of course, he was wearing his signature derby hat. She did singing and voice-over on TV commercials, which included Campbell's Soup and Chicken of the Sea tuna. Darla was born on November 8, 1931 in Leedey, Oklahoma, and was a part of The Little Rascals from 1935 to 1941, starting at the age of 4 in Our Gang Follies of 1936 and continuing until she was the ripe old age of 10 with 1941's Wedding Worries, for a total of 50 films. Since then, he has kept a low profile although Newsweek suggests that he currently works at Texas in the market research department. Hood's final appearance in an Our Gang film was 1941's Wedding Worries. So what did the rascals get into after this legendary show? Darla was the adorable little girl who loved to sing, she performed Ill Never Say Never Again Again and the love relationship between her and Alfalfa was hinted at by her smiling gaze as Alfalfa nervously performed a number. Get ready to dive into TV history and take a then-and-now look at the original Little Rascals. The two reunited for the 20th anniversary of the iconic children's film in 2014. He died of a heart attack in his Los Angeles apartment on Oct. 10, 1980, 46 years to the day after his mother brought him to audition at Hal Roach Studios. According to his LinkedIn profile, he currently serves as a manager at Texas Trust Credit Union. At the time, Symon had already completed her run on "The Cosby Show" as Olivia, the outspoken step-daughter of Denise Huxtable, and was starring on "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" as Nicole, which she was on until 1997. , its Spankys Adventures with pal Alfalfa that most often comes to mind. Matthew Stymie Beards younger sister, Carlena portrayed Buckwheat before the character switched to male. Several of his castmates, however, have faded into obscurity. As to where Hal Roach came up with the concept for Our Gang,Do You Rememberturned to film historian Leonard Maltin, who also wrote the bookThe Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. It looks like E! What about Alfalfa's love interest, Darla? He also was famously seen on Dallas highway billboards and in print advertisements for Wonder Bread. Dorothy DeBorba joined the cast of Our Gang in 1930 in Pups is Pups. She is best remembered for her elaborate hairstyles and bows on the series. Mabry as Porky is the subject of one of the most adorable GIFs of all time. To date, he's been credited in the music department of 44 projects, as well as composer for 15 more. Ive never played a part over 19. And as I said, that doesnt sound too outlandish.. According to IMDB, Daniels was living pretty large during his time on the show, making $37 per week when he started and up to $175 per week when he left (or more than $2,500 in todays dollars). He was honorably discharged from active duty, receiving a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. Darla is the love interest of Alfalfa, a kind-hearted girl who eventually joins the 'Rascals' despite Spanky's initial hatred towards her. McFarland had a habit of grabbing things and his mother would warn him, Spanky, mustnt touch!. The adaptation of the beloved Our Gang TV shorts was a major moment for its diminutive cast, too, most of whom were making their on-screen debut. They are in their late 80s and mid-90s respectively. The MGM limousine stops coming to your house, he recounted, and you wonder why the world has ceased loving you so suddenly at age seven. In school he was teased by other students, causing him to note, Kids can be mean. He once said in a 1980 interview, After the Army, I wasnt really interested in the hassle of performing. Shortly after graduation, the quartet was booked by producer and vaudeville star Ken Murray for his famous "Blackouts", a stage variety show. I didnt quit Hollywood. He had a stroke on Jan. 3, 1981, sustained head injuries from falling down a flight of stairs, and succumbed to pneumonia five days later. He also appeared as a child actor in theRed Ryderfilm franchise. And while Bug's hair is decidedly well-behaved these days, and Brittany's chubby cheeks are gone, there is some resemblance to their former characters. Darla was played by actress Brittany Ashton Holmes. Here's what the cast, including Raven-Symon, the Olsen twins, and Blake McIver Ewing, are up to now. With Travis Tedford, Kevin Jamal Woods, Jordan Warkol, Zachary Mabry. The "He-Man, Woman Haters Club", the club house, the down-hill racers, and of course, the childhood love of Alfalfa & Darla, all are splendidly played out by these amazing children. She seems to have no interest in fame, and her social media accounts aren't publicized the way many child stars' are. Look at them! RELATED: 5 Times Raven's Vision Ruined Everything In That's So Raven (& 5 Times It Saved The Day). It was a pleasure to be able to see children playing together again without any guns or violence. She's also working on her political science degree for the time being. It's been a long time since those little rascals were actually little, though. The actress who played the rascals' favorite teacher, Miss Crabtree has been a big name in the movie universe since the '80s. [citation needed]. Brittany later wrote on MySpace that she had no plans to rekindle her acting career. Collins' first credit was "The Little Rascals." He died on January 28, 1946. Free shipping for many products! George McFarland joined the gang after Jackie Coopersdeparture, in late 1931. In 1995, she played Julie on an episode ofEllen,and later that year, she appeared as Dana inRed Shoe Diaries. By that time, they were nearing the end of "Full House," and they had already starred in some of their direct-to-video classics like "To Grandmother's House We Go," "Our First Video," and "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble.". She returned to the character of Raven Baxter for the 2017 spin-off "Raven's Home," which earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination. The magazine is quite renowned in the UK being in publication since 1888. As a result, he was replaced on the show by Robert Blake, aka Baretta. Joe Rivkin, a casting director for Hal Roach Studios, cast her in the role of Darla in the Our Gang shorts. She notoriously dated Christian Brando, Marlons son, while she was with Blake. Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. How old is Darla from the Little Rascals now? Her subsequent acting career was fitful, with a bit part in a 1995 episode of Ellen standing out, in which she played Julie, followed by a McDonald's commercial the same year, promoting the fast-food chain's Happy Meals. Interestingly, he also made an appearance in the 2014 Little Rascals film called The Little Rascals Save The Day. Everything You Need to Know About Florence Pugh, Is Tulsa King a true story? She reportedly retired formally at age 7 though that 2014 role suggests something lured her back, if only momentarily and completed high school like a normal kid. He released a self-titled EP in 2015. Spanky McFarland is one of the primary protagonists of the film. If this doesnt do it for me, nothing will., In the end, he left show business and became a dog breeder and hunting guide. Also making her feature debut, actress Brittany Ashton Holmes certainly left an impression both on those watching and on Hollywood. He was 16 as old as Billy Froggy Laughlin when he died. Distractifty reported Collins was working as an assistant cameraman on "Sons of Anarchy," but it's not on his IMDb. She made her debut at age four in the 1935 film Our Gang Follies of 1936 and was soon given a role in The Bohemian Girl with Laurel and Hardy. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. At the time of this writing, she hasn't appeared in anything since. After leaving the show, McFarland enlisted in the US Air Force. From 1955 to 1960, he created and hosted his own daily childrens show, Beard was cast as a baby in many films before signing a five-year contract to, Thankfully, with the help of rehab, he was able to turn his life around and appeared as a guest star like his 3 episodes of, in the early 70s and also had a recurring role on, as Monty. Then, in 1978, he appeared in. After break-out roles like the one Holmes had in The Little Rascals, childhood stars usually go on to have very successful careers, with other notable roles on their resume. Brian Pocrass, the founder of 22 Vision, the company that staged the reunion, told HuffPost that Holmes "wasn't into"doing the reunion until he convinced her that it "wasn't about the tabloid"and was"more about the film." Mar 18, 2020 09:00 A.M. Former child actress Brittany Ashton Holmes won hearts all over the world with her portrayal of the adorable Darla in the '90s film "Little Rascals.". The Little Rascals was his first role, according to IMDb, but he . By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. The general feeling throughout the shoot is of old friends reconnecting after years apart, as though nothing has changed, because their first film experience was so wonderful. Here's what the cast, including Raven-Symon, the Olsen twins, and Blake McIver Ewing, are up to now. She even snagged a few awards for her breakout performance, such as the Young Artist Award, alongside her co-stars. While some of the cast from 1994's The Little Rascals have continued acting, others have ventured out towards other career options. Billie then continued his education to film editing and cutting. That year, Holmes played the role of Townslady Britt in the TV movie, We Hate Paul Revere. , leading a charge into a love scene that was being filmed. Elsewhere online, Holmes doesn't appear to have a presence which, again, may be by design. Holmes also featured on TV series Red Shoe Diaries that same year, as a child whose parents were about to divorce. After that, the former child star seemed to disappear. Perhaps most iconically, he voiced Gus in "Recess" and its subsequent film. Britanny Ashton Holmes hasn't been pursuing that many films after playing Darla and apparently retired from showbiz way back in 1996. Brittany Ashton Holmes Darla Despite participating in a cast photo shoot with her old co-stars a few years ago, Brittany has actively avoided the spotlight, with no apparent social media presence. Ahh, good, old, Spanky probably one of the most recognized members of the entire franchise. The cast consisted of 4 to 9-year-olds exploring funny storylines. Sadly, though, that life was short-lived. His offspring inherited the role of Petey, though his eye circle mysteriously moved to the left side of his face. Once she was old enough, she pursued a degree in political science, and there's isn't much more known than that. He played Eddie Munster in the 1996 TV film "The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas," and starred in "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "The Stupids," "The Big Green," "Get a Clue," "Safety Patrol," and "Hercules.". Thomas first appeared in the 1934 Our Gang shorts as a background player. then-and-now look at the original Little Rascals. Stymie enjoyed making the films and, more importantly, the sense of equality that Roach insisted on when it came to his productions. Brittany Ashton Holmes, then a 5-year-old, played Darla Alfalfas sweetheart and forbidden love interest. In 1990, ABCs 20/20 aired a segment featuring a man named Bill English, a grocery bagger in Arizona, who claimed to be the adult Buckwheat. Britanny Ashton Holmes hasn't been pursuing that many films after playing Darla and apparently retired from showbiz way back in 1996. He admitted that he was struggling to find good roles being so recognizable as Alfalfa. Laughlin did the voice himself. He worked in tandem with Alfalfa Switzer in his first three films and then replaced the now too old Switzer as the comic lead of the group beginning in 1941. In the late '70s, Darlawas busy organizing a Little Rascalsreunion when she underwent an appendectomy. It all stems from the fact that they just wanted to see each other.. Ironically, this would end up being a preview of what would ultimately be in store for him. The 1990s were a great decade of movies that now pack so much nostalgia, it's sometimes too much to handle. TheLittle Rascals, which debuted on television in 1955, introduced a band of ragtag children to the world. She noted simply, "The whole movie was a dream." She worked at MGM for an additional couple of years. The photos posed her and Bug Hall (AKA Alfalfa) together in outfits reminiscent of what they wore in the movie. Alfalfa is the Little Rascal who had his hair sticking up. Although she was only 5 years old, Brittany Ashton Holmes delivered a brilliant performance as the adorable Darla, the object of Alfalfa's affection. The original Little Rascals dog was a pit bull, named Pal the Wonder Dog, who had a discolored circle around his eye. When Our Gang stopped production in 1944, Laughlin went straight into. The films writers adapted the movie from a series of short films by Hal Roach that aired from the 1920s to the 1940s. In 2020 alone, she appeared in The Bold Type, Bunk'd, and The Disney Family Singalong. Britney herself commented on the way 'Darla' always looked into the camera while filming (which is a total no-no), the same way Brit did on 'Mickey Mouse Club.'. My wife knew of my background, otherwise I was happy to conceal the Porky tag until the last few years.. William Thomas Jr. was born on March 12, 1931, in Los Angeles. In a behind-the-scenes video from the reunion shoot, shared on the 22 Vision YouTube page, Brittany Ashton Holmes enthusiastically argues that "everybody still has that core rascal inside of them" after Hall, standing next to her in a throwback to their onscreen relationship of Darla and Alfalfa, admitted "it feels like no time has passed" since they shot the movie. Unfortunately, one night he got a bit too ambitious going after money he thought . The latest movie news, trailers, reviews, and more. After he left the film shorts, Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was just 23 years old. And watching these kids be kids on-screen was revolutionary. In January 1958, it was reported that while he was getting into his car in Studio City, someone fired a bullet at him, which crashed through the window and hit him in the right arm. Darla Hood was born on November 8, 1931, in Leedey, Oklahoma. as Donna Reeds date at the high school dance. As Darla was reported as saying in aDYRprofile of her, I was born in a small town in Oklahoma and I guess my mother wanted to get out of there, because she took me to Oklahoma City and signed me up with a dancing teacher. Billy was often bullied in his neighborhood so his mother enrolled him in a drama class, this is where an MGM talent scout spotted his popeye impersonation and led to his Froggy. In the 1994 feature-film remake of The Little Rascals, Petey is an American Bulldog. - Looper. Per a video of the reunion on YouTube by22 Vision,the cast had fun at the shoot. RELATED:Here's What 'Little Rascals' Star Bug Hall Looks Like Now. Is there a particular, The Little Rascals: How Our Gang Came to Be and Why Those Kids Should Never Be Forgotten, Priscilla Presley Gives An Update After Lisa Marie Presleys Sudden Death, There Was One Andy Griffith Show Episode Ron Howard Hated To Film.