Ex-'Little Rascals' Star Found Stabbed To Death

AP via WKMG ^ | October 22, 2002

[Shermy]

LAS VEGAS -- An 87-year-old man found stabbed to death in the desert has been identified as a former child actor in the "Our Gang" film series.

The body of Jay R. Smith was found Oct. 5 near Interstate 15, about 25 miles north of Las Vegas, police said. He died from multiple stab wounds, the Clark County coroner's office said.

As a freckle-faced boy, Smith was in three dozen of the "Our Gang" short comedies from 1925-29, most of them silent. The series, better known to TV audiences as "The Little Rascals," ran from the 1920s to the early 1940s, and the casts of children changed over the years.

In many of the films, Smith's roles were relatively minor.

According to the book "The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang," Smith did have a prominent role in the 1928 short "Rainy Days." Baby-sitting, young Jay finds his small charges have drawn all over the walls of his home. He tries to cover up the drawings with new wallpaper, and the homemade wallpaper paste creates a spectacular mess. But Jay smiles proudly at his returning mother, saying, "Notice anything, Mom?"

Among the other films he appeared in were "Love My Dog," "Bring Home the Turkey," "Crazy House," "Thundering Fleas" and "Fair and Muddy." Smith's brother Donnie also appeared in a few Our Gang films, according to the book.

"None of us took it seriously while it was happening," Smith once said. "But looking back, it was a very pleasant time in my life, and as I grow older, it gets more valuable."

As an adult, Smith owned a paint store. He also served in the Army in World War II.

Police said a homeless man who had been staying in a shed next to Smith's home and doing odd jobs for him was being sought for questioning in the death. Detectives reported that money was withdrawn from Smith's bank account last week.

[Gumlegs]

Another website shows him having seved in Korea. The marker is in error, either about his DOB or his national service. Either way, RIP to most engaging performer and to a man who served his country (whenever that was).

[Gumlegs]

You mean Joe Cobb, right?

[Mike Darancette]

That ain't Buckwheat - That is Stymie - The best Rascal.

"I knows it"

[fight_truth_decay]

OUR GANG REUNION PICTURES

[Macrinus]

Isn't that Stymie you have displayed there?

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

"PEETY"did it!

[ConservativeDude]

what about Froggy?

[ConservativeDude]

I'm thinking Froggy probably had throat cancer or something.

[Pagey]

bttt

[BlessingInDisguise]

This is going to be ONE WEIRD HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR!!!

[Fudd]

There's an error in that grave marker. Born 1931 would be too late for Little Rascals, and make him only 14 at the end of the war.

[sonserae]

Alfalfa committed suicide.

[Houmatt]

Alfalfa was also stabbed to death.

Actually, he was shot, which you can read about here.

[Houmatt]

Actually, Froggy died in 1948, when the motor scooter he was on was hit by a truck, as indicated here.

[onedoug]

[onedoug]

[Pokey78]

Chubby to Miss Crabtree: "Don't call me Chubby.
Call me Chubbsie Ubbsie!"

[SerpentDove]

>>I remember another one of those former child actors in "Our Gang" was also murdered. Sad.<<

Alfalfa was shot to death. I heard it personally from "Spanky McFarland" (no kidding) who lived in Dallas up until the time of his death. Small world, ain't it?

A lot of those kids were from Dallas, I believe.

[MsLady]

YIKES!!!! I knew some of this but, not all. Pretty sad.

[Shermy]

Keep your eye on the sparrow!