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 Billy “Froggy” Laughlin

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Billy “Froggy” Laughlin Famous memorial

Original Name
William Robert Laughlin
Birth
San Gabriel, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Death
31 Aug 1948 (aged 16)
La Puente, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Burial
Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, USA GPS-Latitude: 34.0089360, Longitude: -118.0545294
Plot
Myrtle Lawn, Gate 17, Section 3, Lot 743, Grave 743 (Curb #1008)
Memorial ID
5774 View Source

Actor. He won fame as Froggy in 29 "Our Gang" comedies from 1940 to 1944. Blonde and bespectacled, his defining trait was a croaking voice that sounded like Popeye on helium. Although the character had no real personality, Froggy became the most popular "Little Rascal" to emerge from that series' final years. Among Laughlin's appearances in the role are "Waldo's Last Stand" (1940), "Fightin' Fools" (1941), "Going to Press" (1942), "Dancing Romeo" (1944), and "Tale of a Dog" (1944). William Robert Laughlin was born in San Gabriel, California. Afflicted with crossed eyes, he had to wear thick glasses and was teased by the neighborhood kids. To boost his confidence, his mother enrolled him in drama classes, where he revealed a talent for imitating cartoon characters. Laughlin joined "Our Gang" at age seven after an MGM talent scout spotted him doing his Popeye impression at a local theatre. During his stint as Froggy, he used his real voice only once, as a gag, in the film "1-2-3 Go!" (1941). When "Our Gang" ended, Laughlin left show business in 1948 and he died at the same year.

Actor. He won fame as Froggy in 29 "Our Gang" comedies from 1940 to 1944. Blonde and bespectacled, his defining trait was a croaking voice that sounded like Popeye on helium. Although the character had no real personality, Froggy became the most popular "Little Rascal" to emerge from that series' final years. Among Laughlin's appearances in the role are "Waldo's Last Stand" (1940), "Fightin' Fools" (1941), "Going to Press" (1942), "Dancing Romeo" (1944), and "Tale of a Dog" (1944). William Robert Laughlin was born in San Gabriel, California. Afflicted with crossed eyes, he had to wear thick glasses and was teased by the neighborhood kids. To boost his confidence, his mother enrolled him in drama classes, where he revealed a talent for imitating cartoon characters. Laughlin joined "Our Gang" at age seven after an MGM talent scout spotted him doing his Popeye impression at a local theatre. During his stint as Froggy, he used his real voice only once, as a gag, in the film "1-2-3 Go!" (1941). When "Our Gang" ended, Laughlin left show business in 1948 and he died at the same year.

Bio by: Bobb Edwards


Inscription

Our Beloved Son
William R. Laughlin
"Our Gang" Froggy
1932 — 1948


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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Added: 27 Jun 1999
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID: 5774
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5774/billy-laughlin: accessed ), memorial page for Billy “Froggy” Laughlin (5 Jul 1932–31 Aug 1948), Find a Grave Memorial ID 5774, citing Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.