George McFarland

born: 02 October 1928 Dallas, Texas, United States of America

died: 30 June 1993 Grapevine, Texas, United States of America (heart attack, age 64)

Very popular American child actor who was for many years one of the central characters in 55 of Hal Roach's "Our Gang" shorts. Roach signed Spanky to a five year contract on November 4, 1931, with his first year's salary calling for $75 and then $100 a week. His first appearance in a Hal Roach film was in the 2-reel Our Gang short "Free Eats" (1932), at the age of 3 years old. His final film for Hal Roach was in "Came The Brawn" (1938). Spanky also went on to appear in 40 of the 52 Our Gang shorts for MGM between 1938-1942, bowing out with "Unexpected Riches" at the age of 14 years old. In total, Spanky appeared in no less than 95 Our Gang films over an eleven year period, making him one of the top 3 most prolific child stars of the series. He is only one of two Our Gang child actors to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (the other is Jackie Cooper). He is the older brother of Tommy McFarland. Depending on who you talk to, people who knew him personally will tell you how lovely he was in person; others paint a picture of a bitter, unlikeable old man.

Real name: George Robert Phillips McFarland

Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography; plus all films with Our Gang.

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1932 Free Eats Spanky 1932 Spanky Spanky 1932 Choo-Choo! Spanky 1932 The Pooch Spanky 1932 Hook And Ladder Spanky 1932 Free Wheeling Spanky 1932 Birthday Blues Spanky 1932 A Lad An' A Lamp Spanky 1933 Fish Hooky Spanky 1933 Forgotten Babies Spanky 1933 The Kid From Borneo Spanky 1933 One Track Minds Spanky 1933 Mush And Milk Spanky 1933 Bedtime Worries Spanky 1933 Wild Poses Spanky 1934 The Cracked Ice Man Boy in classroom 1934 Hi'-Neighbor! Spanky 1934 For Pete's Sake! Spanky 1934 Mrs. Barnacle Bill Kid with catapult 1934 The First Round-Up Spanky 1934 Benny, From Panama Little boy in sailor suit 1934 Honky-Donkey Spanky 1934 Mike Fright Spanky 1934 Washee Ironee Spanky 1934 Mama's Little Pirate Spanky 1934 Shrimps For A Day Spanky 1935 Anniversary Trouble Spanky 1935 Beginners Luck Spanky 1935 Teachers Beau Spanky 1935 Sprucin' Up Spanky 1935 Little Papa Spanky 1935 Little Sinner Spanky 1935 Our Gang Follies Of 1936 Spanky 1936 The Pinch Singer Spanky 1936 Divot Diggers Spanky 1936 The Lucky Corner Spanky 1936 Second Childhood Spanky 1936 Arbor Day Spanky 1936 Bored Of Education Spanky 1936 Two Too Young Spanky 1936 Pay As You Exit Spanky 1936 Spooky Hooky Spanky 1936 General Spanky Spanky 1937 Reunion In Rhythm Spanky 1937 Glove Taps Spanky 1937 Hearts Are Thumps Spanky 1937 Rushin' Ballet Spanky 1937 Three Smart Boys Spanky 1936 Roamin' Holiday Spanky 1937 Night 'N' Gales Spanky 1937 Fishy Tales Spanky 1937 Framing Youth Spanky 1937 The Pigskin Palooka Spanky 1937 Mail And Female Spanky 1937 Our Gang Follies Of 1938 Spanky   1938 Canned Fishing Spanky 1938 Bear Facts Spanky 1938 Three Men In A Tub Alfalfa 1938 Came The Brawn Spanky   ▼ NON-HAL ROACH FILMS 1938 Aladdin's Lantern Spanky 1938 Men In Fright Spanky 1938 Football Romeo Spanky 1939 Practical Jokers Spanky 1939 Alfalfa's Aunt Spanky 1939 Tiny Troubles Spanky 1939 Duel Personalities Spanky 1939 Clown Princes Spanky 1939 Cousin Wilbur Spanky 1939 Joy Scouts Spanky 1939 Dog Daze Spanky 1939 Auto Antics Spanky 1939 Captain Spanky's Show Boat Spanky 1939 Dad For A Day Spanky 1939 Time Out For Lessons Spanky 1940 Alfalfa's Double Spanky 1940 The Big Premiere Spanky 1940 All About Hash Spanky 1940 The New Pupil Spanky 1940 Bubbling Troubles Spanky 1940 Good Bad Boys Spanky 1940 Waldo's Last Stand Spanky 1940 Goin' Fishin' Spanky 1940 Kiddie Kure Spanky 1941 Baby Blues Spanky 1941 Fightin' Fools Spanky 1941 Ye Olde Minstrels Spanky 1941 1-2-3-Go! Spanky 1941 Robot Wrecks Spanky 1941 Helping Hands Spanky 1941 Come Back, Miss Pipps Spanky 1941 Wedding Worries Spanky 1942 Melodies Old And New Spanky 1942 Going To Press Spanky 1942 Don't Lie Spanky 1942 Surprised Parties Spanky 1942 Doin' Their Bit Spanky 1942 Rover's Big Chance Spanky 1942 Mighty Lak A Goat Spanky 1942 Unexpected Riches Spanky Acknowledgements: Jordan Young (autograph) This page was last updated on: 02 October 2023