He was freckled. He was squeaky-voiced. He had an uncontrollable cowlick. And, he had an irrepressible personality. When you think of Alfalfa, the images conquer the imagination, and the joy is unconfined. His Our Gang appearances have made him an unforgettable part of film history, and his is a story that is packed with adventures, with more than its share of difficulty.
Carl Dean Switzer was born on August 8, 1927, in Paris, Illinois, to George and Gladys Switzer. Carl had an older brother, Harold Frederick Switzer, who would also work in films with his little brother. The two boys created quite a sensation, singing at auctions and various functions near their parents’ farm in Illinois. One time, when visiting their grandparents in California, Carl and Harold decided to try their luck at auditioning for Hal Roach’s popular Our Gang series. However, the boys had some difficulty getting onto the studio grounds without a pass. So, the two stood outside the commissary, and amidst the midday lunch crowd, starting singing. The commotion caught the attention of Hal Roach, who inst
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Profile[]
Name: Tom “Alfalfa” Switzer Nicknames: The Oklahoma Wildcat (in Glove Taps), The Thin Man (according to Butch) in "Cousin Amelia", Alfie (numerous) Played By:Carl Switzer Born: 1927 (ages 8-13) Relatives: Mother, Father, Harold (possible brother, aka Slim), two brothers, Penelope (aunt), Wilbur (cousin) Clubs:Eagles Club, He-Man Woman-Hater's Club, The Wise Owl Club, The Four Nitengales, All-4-One Club, Sekret Revengers First Short:Beginner's Luck Last Short:Kiddie Kure
Character[]
Bio: Well-recognized by that trademark cowlick and freckles, Alfalfa Switzer is full on pride, self-assurance and self-esteem with quite a little eye for the ladies; the only thing that can knock him back to reality is Butch, who often makes him the victim of many cruel pranks and threats. Some of these embarrassments though are the results of efforts from his friends trying to do what they think is right for him or just trying to knock his ego down to level. Possibly the most dimensional character in the series, he is the best friend of Spanky, a leader and role model