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Nickname:	Alfie / Alfadoofus
Known for:	The Defiant Ones, The Big Premiere, The High and the Mighty
Birth name:	Carl Dean Switzer
Birthday:	7 August 1927, Paris, Illinois, USA

Was Alfalfa in the "Our Gang" comedies. Shot to death in an argument in Van Nuys, CA. Died by gunshot wound by an acquaintance in an argument over $50 which Switzer felt the acquaintance owed him. The acquaintance pleaded self-defense, and the judge ruled the death "justifiable homicide." [Source: "The Hollywood Death Book," James Robert Parish, 1992.] Buried at Hollywood Memorial Park (now Hollywood Forever), 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California. Many sources have stated that the image of a dog, displayed on Carl Switzer's tombstone, refers to the hound from the Little Rascals series. This is not, in fact, correct; rather, the image references Carl Switzer's work as a professional breeder. Although one of the most popular members of "Our Gang," Switzer's later life became an almost textbook example of the former child star whose life takes a turn for the worse. Numerous brushes with the law, two broken marriages, and grade-Z film work (when he could get it) all led up to his sudden, violent death in January 1959 at the age of only 31. A similar fate befell his brother, actor Harold Switzer, who, nine years later, killed his girlfriend and (a few hours after that) himself. For all his problems, Switzer did have notable success as an adult as a highly regarded hunting guide, whose regular clientele included Roy Rogers and James Stewart. His father was often engaged in power struggles with 'George McFarland' 's (Spanky's) father (over star billing, screen time, star status, etc.). The boys, however, managed to get along with one another. His best friend in the "Our Gang" cast was Tommy Bond, who played his on-screen nemesis Butch. Was a "problem child" during his tenure in "Our Gang." Switzer was known for staging pranks on both the crew and his fellow child actors (including his on-screen girlfriend Darla Hood, who in real life was apprehensive of Switzer). Brother of Harold Switzer. Distant cousin of David Switzer. Got into an argument with the director and urinated on the studio light and shut down production till the smoke and smell of it cleared. He and his brother Harold decided to audition for Our Gang, but could not gain access into the studio. They went to the Our Gang Cafe and began singing and were quickly signed into "Beginners Luck.". His father and brother were buried next to him. Died the same day as Cecil B. DeMille. In the movie White Christmas (1954), the photo that Vera-Ellen shows to Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye of her brother, Bennie, is actually a photo of Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer. Despite his trademark off-key singing, in real life he was a very skilled singer.

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Description: Celebrity Main Details » imdb.com: Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer