George McFarland
George " Spanky " McFarland ( born October 2, 1928 in Dallas, Texas, USA, † June 30, 1993 in Grapevine, Texas, USA ) was an American actor. He became famous as one of the Little Rascals.
Life and career
George McFarland was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Emmett and Virginia McFarland. He had three siblings, Thomas (called " Tommy", which itself has a small appearance in the little rascals had ), and Amanda Roderick. He lived in an area of Denison, which was called "Sugar Bottom" because there derailed a train loaded with sugar in the early 20th century. The young McFarland, live from the still relatives in Denison, briefly attended the school in the city before moving with his family to Dallas.
Prior to joining the movie, collected "Buddy " as he was called by his family, there first camera experience as a model for children's clothing and appeared in commercials for, among others, " Wonder Bread ", a white bread brand. Thus he was already known to a smaller audience through advertising posters, which were set up in Dallas.
McFarland's career, however, came only really started, when his Aunt Dottie photos were sent by him to a magazine of the Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, which pictures of " cute kids " was looking for. He was then invited to sample recordings and promptly accepted.
After he has now been discovered at the age of three years for the film, he got the role of " Spanky " in the children's series produced by Hal Roach Our Gang and quickly became one of the child stars and darlings of Hollywood.
His cheeky demeanor, his natural comedic talent for the right timing, his funny facial expressions and his acting talent brought him quick attention and popularity, and finally made him in 1935 the leader of the passage of the Little Rascals, often on the side of Alfalfa, played by Carl Switzer and always the enterprising "idea man ". McFarland's role name " Spanky " in the Little Rascals, the life remained his nickname, was born when his mother him ( spanking german) in the office of Hal Roach because of his bad behavior threatened beatings. He later denied that this should have been the reason and said that the name was missed him by a reporter of a newspaper from Los Angeles. In his agreement, McFarland secured the rights to be allowed to use the name " Spanky " for future business purposes and personal activities exclusively.
He played until 1942 in 95 episodes of the little rascals with and had up to this time, minor roles in films, including the film Dangerous Encounter by Fritz Lang.
Mc Farland was drafted at age 24 by the army. After his return he found no work in the film, because he always " Spanky " remained in the minds of people and they did not decrease his other roles. So he was forced to work among others as hamburger and ice cream vendors. In the late 1950s, when the short comedies of the Little Rascals on TV ran and thus new popularity enjoyed, he hosted an afternoon show for kids called " Spanky 's Clubhouse ," which was a regional station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, aired. In the show and studio guests were received, including figures such as James Arness. In addition, the Little Rascals short films were shown.
After this brief interlude, he continued with the exercise rather unattractive jobs, such as wine retailers, restaurant and night club operators as well as appliances, electronics and furniture retailers. He sold for the Philco - Ford Corporation, where he rose to the national sales manager. After his "semi- retirement", as he put it himself, he used his name and fame for charitable purposes, primarily by participating in golf tournaments. He even had a private, charitable golf tournament named after him in Marion, Indiana.
He had also continued personal appearances and cameos in various film and television productions, his last in 1993 at the onset of an episode of the series Cheers.
George McFarland died on 30 June 1993, aged 64, of a heart attack.