On August 31, 1948, the 16-year-old William Robert “Billy” Laughlin was delivering newspapers riding on the back of his scooter, operated by a friend. Suddenly, a truck collided into the scooter when the boys were making a U-turn, sending Laughlin to the hospital where he passed away six hours later. Although his friend survived and no charges were filed against the truck driver, it was the end of the short life of one of the most memorable “Our Gang” characters.
Laughlin had played Froggy in Our Gang shorts from 1940-1944. The character was known for his deep frog-like voice, which was actually done by Laughlin.
This video below of Waldo’s Last Stand, a short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn, features Laughlin in one of his early appearances on the show in 1940. Although Laughlin appears early in the episode, he does not say anything until he delivers a punch line in his great voice at around the nine-minute mark.
Reportedly, Laughlin’s mother first got him into acting as a way to boost the confidence of the little boy who had been teased for his crossed eyes and thick glasses. Through that work, Laughlin came up with various voices, including his “Froggy” voice.
After MGM discontinued Our Gang in April 1944 and after Laughlin’s appearance in the movie Johnny Doesn’t Live Here Any More (1944), the boy moved away from the acting life to enjoy a normal teenage life. Unfortunately, his normal life did not last as long as it should have.
Some other “Our Gang” actors suffered tragic deaths. For example, Carl Dean Switzer (“Alfalfa”) died at age 31 from a gunshot wound during an argument over $50. Robert Hutchins (“Wheezer”) died at the age of 20 during military training. But according to Snopes, it is not true that when you look across the lives of the cast members that you can find any kind of curse. Froggy’s Laughlin, though, died at the youngest age of any of the “Our Gang” actors. Even if there is no “curse,” sometimes life is just unfair.
What is your favorite Our Gang or Little Rascals memory? Leave your two cents in the comments.
(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)
