Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer (1927 - 1959)

Actions

Begin New Search
Refine Last Search
Cemetery Lookup
Add Burial Records
Help with Find A Grave

Find all Switzers in:
•	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
•	Hollywood
•	Los Angeles County
•	California
•	Find A Grave

Top Contributors
Success Stories
Discussion Forums
Find A Grave Store
Support Find A Grave

Log In

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer

Birth:	Aug. 7, 1927
Death:	Jan. 21, 1959
Actor. He is best remembered for his role of ‘Alfalfa' in the "Our Gang" series of comedies. His trademark off-key singing and straightened stuck-up hair endeared him to a generation of viewers. Born in Paris, Illinois, he was selected to play the role of ‘Alfalfa' in the "Our Gang" comedies, which began in 1935 with "Beginner's Luck" and ended in 1940 with "The Big Premier." Off-screen, he had the image of a problem child, playing pranks on his fellow child actors, and much was made in the press of his having fights with the other child actors. During World War II, he continued to make movies, including "Henry and Dizzy" (1942), "There's One Born Every Minute" (1942), "Rosie the Riveter" (1944), and "The Great Mike" (1944). After World War II, he played in "The Gas House Kids" (1946), and other Gas House Kids sequel movies. He played the young man that opens the floor, uncovering the pool, at the dance in "It's a Wonderful Life". In the 1950s, he had numerous brushes with the law, and two marriages that broke up, followed by appearances in a series of forgettable movies and bit parts, often unaccredited. He had some success as a hunting guide and as a professional dog breeder (the dog on his grave marker refers to this profession), and some of the larger Hollywood stars were his clientele, including Jimmy Stewart and Roy Rogers. In 1959, he died at age 31 from a gunshot wound by an acquaintance during an argument over $50 owed to him. A judge later ruled his death as "justifiable homicide." (bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson) Cause of death: Homicide (self-defense) Search Amazon for Carl Switzer

Burial: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Los Angeles County California, USA Plot: Garden of Memory (formerly Section 6), grave 6, lot 26 GPS (lat/lon): 34.08959, -118.31979
Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Jan 01, 2001 Find A Grave Memorial# 1011