Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Home > Matthew "Stymie" Beard
Matthew Beard, Jr. ( January 1, 1925 - January 8, 1981) was an African-American child actor, most famous for portraying the character of Stymie in the Our Gang short films from 1930 to 1935. In contrast to the character he replaced, Farina, Stymie was a slick-tongued con-artist who was always self-assured, nonchalant, and ready with a sly comment. The character's trademark was a bald head crowned by an oversized derby hat, a gift to Matthew Beard from fellow Hal Roach comedian Stan Laurel.1 Our Gang Years
The name "Stymie" was provided by Our Gang director Robert McGowan , who was always frustrated ("stymied") by little Matthew's curious wanderings around the studio; the character was originally to be named " Hercules". McGowan would later recall that Stymie was his favorite of all the Our Gang kids. Stymie remained in the series during the transition from the silent/early talkie era Our Gang to the more familiar group of Spanky, AlfalfaCarl Switzer ( August 7, 1927 January 21, 1959) was a child actor, professional dog breeder and expert hunting guide. He was born Carl Dean Switzer in Paris, Illinois, the second son of George Switzer and Gladys Shanks. His older brother was Harold Freder, and Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, who would replace him in 1935.
Stymie's paycheck was used to help support his East Los Angeles family, including his 13 brothers and sisters. After Stymie renamed his younger brother Bobbie "Cotton" (which was also used as Bobbie's Our Gang character name), his parents allowed him to name all of the rest of his siblings as they were born. He named one "Dickie" after his best friend, child actor and Our Ganger Dickie MooreDickie Moore can refer to different people: Dickie Moore (1931- ), a Canadian ice hockey player. Dickie Moore (1925- ), a U. former child actor.. Four other members of the Beard family would appear in the Our Gang comedies::
- his younger sister Betty Jane Beard preceeded Stymie in the gang, playing Farina's little brother Hector in "Moan & Groan, Inc." (1929) and "When the Wind Blows] (1930) (even though she was a girl).
- his younger sister Carlena appeared as Stymie's younger sister in "Shiver My Timbers" (1931) and "For Pete's Sake!" (1934). In "For Pete's Sake!", her character was called "Buckwheat", a role which would eventually be converted to a male character and given to Billie Thomas.
- his younger brother Bobbie appeared in six Our Gang shorts from 19321932 is the leap year starting on Friday. see link for calendar) Events January-February January 3 British arrest and intern Mohandas Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel January 8 In Britain the Archbishop of Canterbury forbids church remarriage of divorcees Jan to 1934 as Stymie's younger brother, "Cotton."
- his mother, Johnnie Mae Beard, has a cameo as Stymie's mother in "Free Wheeling" (1932). She was the only other Beard family member besides Stymie to have a speaking part in the Our Gang series.
Stymie's younger brother Renee Beard would appear in Hal Roach's Our Gang remakes of the 1940s: Curley and Who Killed Doc Robbin.
Read more »