You probably remember the cowlick. Or maybe the circle around the dog’s eye. If you grew up watching reruns on Saturday mornings, the grainy black-and-white footage of a bunch of ragtag kids getting into trouble is burned into your brain. But honestly, most people get the details mixed up. They think "The Little Rascals" was the name of the show from the start. It wasn't. For decades, it was actually called Our Gang. When the shorts were sold to television in the 1950s, they had to change the name because the original title was still being used for newer theater releases. That’s how we got the name we use today.
So, what were the names of the Little Rascals? It’s a trickier question than it sounds because the series ran for over twenty years. From 1922 to 1944, Hal Roach—and later MGM—cycled through dozens of child actors. Most people only remember the "classic" lineup from the 1930s, the talkie era. You know the ones: Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, and Buckwheat. But the history goes way deeper than just those four.
The icons you definitely remember
If we’re talking about the 1930s era, George McFarland is the king. Everyone knew him as Spanky. He was this chubby, confident kid who basically became the de facto leader of the group. He joined when he was just three years old. Think about that for a second. A toddler was carrying a major Hollywood franchise. He had this signature move where he’d wave his hand in front of his face when he was frustrated, a bit of physical comedy that felt way beyond his years.
Then you have Alfalfa. His real name was Carl Switzer. He was the kid with the gravity-defying hair and the off-key singing voice. Alfalfa wasn't an original member; he joined in 1935 with his brother Harold. While Harold (nicknamed Slim) faded into the background, Alfalfa became a superstar. His "crooning" was a running gag that never got old. It’s funny because, in real life, Switzer was known for being a bit of a prankster—and not always a nice one. Stories from the set suggest he was a handful for the directors.
We can't talk about what were the names of the Little Rascals without mentioning Darla Hood. She was the leading lady. Every boy in the gang had a crush on her at some point. She was charming, talented, and had a singing voice that actually sounded good, unlike Alfalfa’s intentional screeching.
And then there’s Buckwheat. Billie Thomas played him. Now, here’s a bit of trivia most people miss: Buckwheat started out as a girl character. Early on, the character wore pigtails and dresses. It wasn't until later in his tenure that they transitioned the character to a boy. Thomas played the role for nine years, making him one of the longest-running cast members in the entire history of the series.
The early years: Before the sound
The 1920s version of Our Gang was a different beast. It was silent. It was gritty. It felt more like real kids playing in a real alleyway.
The breakout star of the silent era was Mickey Daniels. He was the freckle-faced kid with the giant gap-toothed grin. He had this infectious laugh—even if you couldn't hear it—that made him a fan favorite. He was often paired with Mary Kornman, the first "pretty girl" of the group. They were like the Spanky and Darla of the 1920s.
📖 Related: Why American Beauty by the Grateful Dead is Still the Gold Standard of Americana
Let’s not forget Joe Cobb. He was the original "heavy" of the group before Spanky took over that archetype. Joe was the quintessential jolly kid, always involved in the schemes but usually the one getting stuck in a fence or a small opening.
One of the most important figures from this early era was Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison. He was actually the first African American actor to be signed to a long-term contract in Hollywood history. That’s a massive deal. Hal Roach, the creator, wanted the show to look like the world he saw—kids of all races playing together because, as he put it, "kids don't have prejudices until adults teach them." While the humor of that era definitely includes stereotypes that make us cringe today, the fact that Morrison was a featured lead in 1922 was revolutionary.
The kids who rounded out the gang
Sometimes the "secondary" characters were the funniest. Take Stymie. Matthew Beard played him from 1930 to 1935. He wore that oversized derby hat, which was actually a gift from Stan Laurel (of Laurel and Hardy). Stymie was the cool-headed one. He had this dry delivery and a way of talking his way out of trouble that felt incredibly smooth.
Then there was Porky. Eugene Lee played Spanky’s younger brother. He was the one who coined the phrase "O-tay!"—though most people mistakenly attribute that to Buckwheat because of Eddie Murphy’s Saturday Night Live sketches in the 80s. In the original films, that was all Porky.
And we have to mention Froggy. Billy Laughlin joined toward the very end of the series in the 1940s. He had that bizarre, deep, gravelly voice that sounded like a toad. It wasn't a special effect; the kid actually talked like that. Sadly, the MGM era of the 40s is often considered the weakest part of the series because the scripts got "too clean" and lost the rough-around-the-edges charm of the Roach years.
The four-legged rascal: Pete the Pup
You can't list the names without the dog. Pete the Pup was just as much a star as the kids. Most people know him for the black circle around his eye. Here’s the truth: the first Pete (an American Pit Bull Terrier named Pal the Wonder Dog) was born with a partial circle, and they used dye to complete it.
When Pal passed away, they brought in his son, Pete. The son didn't have the natural marking, so the makeup department had to draw it on every single day. If you look closely at different episodes, you’ll notice the circle sometimes swaps eyes or changes shape. He was the ultimate companion, the one who was always in the sidecar or helping the kids pull a wagon.
👉 See also: Why October London Make Me Wanna Is the Soul Revival We Actually Needed
Why the names still matter
So, why are we still asking what were the names of the Little Rascals a century later?
It’s about the archetype. Hal Roach tapped into something universal. He didn't want "child actors" who were polished and perfect. He wanted real kids. He famously looked for children who looked like they just crawled out of a sandbox. That’s why the names stick. Spanky feels like a Spanky. Alfalfa feels like an Alfalfa.
The show was also one of the first to portray a diverse group of children as equals. In an era where segregation was the law of the land in many places, the Rascals were just a pack of friends. They all faced the same "enemy"—usually a grumpy neighbor or a fancy rich kid—together.
The darker side of the legacy
It’s not all nostalgia and laughs. If you dig into the history of the actors, things get pretty heavy. There’s a persistent myth about a "Little Rascals Curse" because several of the actors died young or under tragic circumstances.
- Alfalfa (Carl Switzer): He was shot and killed at age 31 during a dispute over 50 dollars and a hunting dog. It was a messy, violent end for a guy who was once the most famous kid in America.
- Chubby (Norman Chaney): He took over for Joe Cobb but struggled with a glandular ailment. He died at just 21 after a surgery intended to help him lose weight.
- Froggy (Billy Laughlin): He died at 16 while delivering newspapers on his scooter.
But for every tragedy, there was a Spanky McFarland, who lived a relatively quiet life and made a career in sales before being rediscovered by fans in his later years. Or a Darla Hood, who continued to work in music and voiceover for decades. The "curse" is mostly a statistical fluke—when you have hundreds of child actors over twenty years, some are bound to have tough lives.
A quick reference for the curious
If you’re trying to settle a bet or just want the facts straight, here is the breakdown of the most prominent names from the peak years:
The 1930s "Gold Standard" cast included George "Spanky" McFarland, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, Darla Hood, and Eugene "Porky" Lee. This is the group featured in most of the merchandise and the 1994 movie remake.
✨ Don't miss: How to Watch The Wolf and the Lion Without Getting Lost in the Wild
The 1920s "Silent Era" stars were Mickey Daniels, Mary Kornman, Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, and Ernie Morrison.
The "Transition" kids (who bridged the gap between silent and sound) featured the legendary Matthew "Stymie" Beard and Jackie Cooper, who actually went on to have a massive career as an adult, even getting an Oscar nomination.
Identifying the eras
You can usually tell which era you’re watching by the names.
If you see a kid named Wheezer (Bobby Hutchins), you’re likely in the late 1920s or very early 1930s. If you see Butch, the bully (played by Tommy Bond), you’re in the mid-to-late 1930s. Interestingly, Tommy Bond actually played a "good kid" named Tommy in the early shorts before returning years later to play the iconic bully.
The names changed as the kids grew up. That was the rule of Our Gang. Once you started to look like a teenager, you were out. Roach wanted the show to always feel like it was from a child's perspective. The adults were usually just legs or voices, or obstacles to be overcome.
Actionable insights for fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the Rascals, don't just stick to the YouTube clips.
- Check out the 1994 movie: While it's a remake, it’s surprisingly faithful to the spirit of the original characters. It’s a great entry point for younger kids.
- Look for the "Our Gang" name: If you're searching for DVDs or digital collections, use the original title. You'll often find better-restored versions of the shorts.
- Visit the Hollywood Forever Cemetery: If you’re ever in LA, you can find the memorials for several of the cast members, including Darla Hood and Carl Switzer. It’s a somber but fascinating way to connect with the history.
- Watch the silent shorts: They are much more experimental and visually interesting than the later MGM shorts. The physical comedy is top-tier.
The legacy of these kids is huge. They influenced everything from The Goonies to Stranger Things. They were the original "squad." Even if you can't remember every single one of the dozens of names, the core group—Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, and Darla—remains the gold standard for what childhood friendship looks like on screen.
Understanding what were the names of the Little Rascals isn't just about trivia. It’s about recognizing a piece of film history that broke barriers and captured the messy, hilarious reality of being a kid. Whether they were building a "He-Man Woman Haters Club" or trying to win a soapbox derby, the Rascals were us. Just with a little more soot on their faces and a much cooler dog.
To truly appreciate the series, try watching one of the 1930s shorts like The Lucky Corner or Hearts Are Thumps. Pay attention to the timing. These kids weren't just cute; they were comedic geniuses. The way Spanky reacts to Alfalfa’s singing is a masterclass in "the slow burn." It’s no wonder we’re still talking about them over a hundred years after the first camera started rolling.