Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
Carl Dean Switzer (August 8, 1927 – January 21, 1959) was an American singer, child actor, dog breeder, and guide. He was best known for his role as Alfalfa in the short subjects series Our Gang.
Carl Switzer | |
|---|---|
Switzer in Our Gang Follies of 1938 | |
| Born | Carl Dean Switzer August 7, 1927 Paris, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1959 (aged 31) Mission Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Homicide by gunshot wound |
| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California |
| Other names | Alfalfa Switzer |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1935–1959 |
| Spouse |
Dian Collingwood
(m. 1954; div. 1957) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Harold "Slim" Switzer (brother) |
Switzer began his career as a child actor in the mid-1930s appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters. After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting. As an adult, he appeared mainly in bit parts and B-movies. He later became a dog breeder and hunting guide.
Switzer was married to Diantha Collingwood in 1954 and had a son named Justin. He was shot and killed by Moses "Bud" Stiltz in 1959 due to a disagreement regarding a business arrangement.