Unfortunately, Billy Laughlin wasn't the only member of Our Gang to die young. Carl Dean Switzer, who played Alfalfa, died from a gunshot wound during an argument at the age of 31. And according to chimesfreedom, the altercation was over a mere $50. Additionally, Robert Hutchins, who played Weezer, died in an airplane accident during military training at the age of 19. And Norman Chaney, who played Chubby, also died young at the age of 22 after an operation.
After so many members of Our Gang succumbed to tragic fates, people began to think that there was some kind of curse afflicting the child actors. The actors William Thomas, Darla Hood, and Scotty Beckett all ended up dying before the age of 50. And even the dog, Pete the Pup, who appeared in a number of Our Gang films was reportedly poisoned in 1930. But according to Snopes, when all the Our Gang actors are considered, more than half lived to be at least 72 and over 75 percent reached their average life expectancy. While the percentages of those who died tragic deaths is slightly higher than what one might find in the general population, they still fall within reasonable expectations. While tragedy always stands out, thankfully the remaining Rascals don't have to live in fear of a curse around the corner.
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