The Life and Death of "Our Gang's" Alfalfa

The Curse

"Our Gang" group photo with dog

While Carl Switzer certainly had his own share of bad luck, one must wonder whether a curse plagued the cast of Our Gang. Many suffered problems with alcohol, drugs, arrests and severe health problems. Below are some of the more notable examples:

Pete the Pup (? 1930) - An unknown assailant poisoned the original Pete.

Robert Hutchins Wheezer - (3/29/25 - 3/17/45) - Died in an airplane accident at the age of 19.

William Robert Laughlin Froggy - (7/05/32 - 8/31/48) - Died in a bicycle accident at the age of 16.

Robert H. Young Bonedust (9/15/17 - 9/10/51) - Died in a hotel fire, which started when he fell asleep smoking in bed.

Dorothy Dandridge Dorothy (11/09/23 9/08/65) - Committed suicide after an investment scheme caused her to go bankrupt.

Harold Switzer Deadpan or Slim - (1/16/25 - 4/14/67) As was the case with his brother, Harold was also killed following a dispute with another man.

Scotty Beckett Scotty - (10/04/29 - 5/10/68) Died in a Hollywood nursing home after being severely beaten two days prior to his admittance. A bottle of pills and a note were found at the scene, however the coroner never determined the exact cause of death. He was just 38 years old.

Darla Hood Darla - (11/08/31 - 6/13/79) - Hospitalized for hepatitis in 1979, she soon died under what was later ruled to be suspicious circumstances.

Kendall McComas Breezy Brisbane - (10/29/16 - 10/15/81) - Two weeks before his 65th birthday and apparent forced retirement from the U.S. Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, California, he committed suicide.

Robert Blake Mickey - (9/18/33 - present) - On April 18, 2002, he was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Bonnie Lee Bakely.

Darwood Kaye Waldo - (9/08/29 - 5/15/2002) - Killed by a hit and run driver while walking on the sidewalk.

Jay R. Smith Jay R - (8/29/15 - 10/05/2002) - Stabbed to death and left in the desert by a homeless man he had befriended.