Actor. He was recommended to Hal Roach by Roach's still photographer, Gene Kornman, who was the father of "Our Gang" child star Mary Kornman. As a child, he was an original cast member of motion picture producer Hal Roach's "Our Gang" comedy short films (later known as "The Little Rascals" when the films were marketed to TV), appearing in forty-nine shorts from 1922 until 1926 with an additional 3 three shorts made in the early 1930s. Mickey was famous in early talkies, including the later-issued sound "Our Gang" films, where his inimitable horse-whinny laugh was often heard in the soundtracks. He also appeared in three Harold Lloyd feature films. "Doctor Jack" (1922); Lloyd's most famous film - "Safety Last!" (1923); and "Girl Shy" (1924). As a teenager in the early 1930s, he appeared in Producer Roach's "The Boy Friends" comedy shorts (1930 to 1932) along with fellow "Our Gang" alum Mary Kornman and in other short 1930s-era comedies featuring Thelma Todd and Zazu Pitts/Patsy Kelly and Charley Chase, also produced by Roach. Becoming disenchanted with films in the early 1940s, he entered the construction engineering field in Pearl Harbor, which eventually took him to Africa. After World War II, he left the motion picture industry, working in construction in Africa for over 20 years. In late 1966, he was a materials supervisor for the Bechtel Pacific Corp., constructing an iron ore mine in Tasmania, followed by a final three years as a taxi driver for Red Top Taxi near San Diego, California, before passing away. He was found dead in a San Diego-area motel room on August 20, 1970, having died due to cirrhosis of the liver from heavy alcohol consumption. His grave was unmarked for over 20 years, but due to the generosity of his many fans, he now has a complete headstone.
Actor. He was recommended to Hal Roach by Roach's still photographer, Gene Kornman, who was the father of "Our Gang" child star Mary Kornman. As a child, he was an original cast member of motion picture producer Hal Roach's "Our Gang" comedy short films (later known as "The Little Rascals" when the films were marketed to TV), appearing in forty-nine shorts from 1922 until 1926 with an additional 3 three shorts made in the early 1930s. Mickey was famous in early talkies, including the later-issued sound "Our Gang" films, where his inimitable horse-whinny laugh was often heard in the soundtracks. He also appeared in three Harold Lloyd feature films. "Doctor Jack" (1922); Lloyd's most famous film - "Safety Last!" (1923); and "Girl Shy" (1924). As a teenager in the early 1930s, he appeared in Producer Roach's "The Boy Friends" comedy shorts (1930 to 1932) along with fellow "Our Gang" alum Mary Kornman and in other short 1930s-era comedies featuring Thelma Todd and Zazu Pitts/Patsy Kelly and Charley Chase, also produced by Roach. Becoming disenchanted with films in the early 1940s, he entered the construction engineering field in Pearl Harbor, which eventually took him to Africa. After World War II, he left the motion picture industry, working in construction in Africa for over 20 years. In late 1966, he was a materials supervisor for the Bechtel Pacific Corp., constructing an iron ore mine in Tasmania, followed by a final three years as a taxi driver for Red Top Taxi near San Diego, California, before passing away. He was found dead in a San Diego-area motel room on August 20, 1970, having died due to cirrhosis of the liver from heavy alcohol consumption. His grave was unmarked for over 20 years, but due to the generosity of his many fans, he now has a complete headstone.
Bio by: George Kipper
Inscription
Richard Michael Daniels, Jr
October 11, 1914 - August 20, 1970
"Mickey" of the Original Our Gang Comedies
Family Members
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SGT Edgar Josephus Daniels
1893–1959
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Melvin Clyde Daniels
1895 – unknown
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Sarah "Sadie" Daniels Rowe
1897–1985
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Margaret Daniels Penrod
1899–1919
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Leonard Lloyd Daniels
1901–1956
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Louise Daniels Norton
1903–1959
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Elsie Daniels Wolfe
1906–1999
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Adele Daniels Hartka
1911–1953
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Clifford Noel "Cliff" Daniels
1916–1964
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Ruth Laveral Daniels Bourne
1917–1981
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