William Robert Laughlin (July 5, 1932 – August 31, 1948) was an American
child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in film, movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associ ...
. He is best known for playing the character Froggy in the ''
Our Gang
''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...
'' short films in 1940–44, its final years of production.
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
, to Robert Vine Laughlin (August 28, 1901 – September 30, 1972) and Charlotte C. Cruikshank (March 11, 1903 – June 4, 1992). According to ''Our Gang'' actor
Robert Blake Robert Blake may refer to:
Sportspeople
* Bob Blake (American football) (1885–1962), American football player
* Robbie Blake (born 1976), English footballer
* Bob Blake (ice hockey) (1914–2008), American ice hockey player
* Rob Blake (born 19 ...
, Laughlin was "dearly loved".
Career
Laughlin rose to fame at the age of eight when he appeared in his first ''Our Gang'' film, ''
The New Pupil
''The New Pupil'' is a 1940 ''Our Gang'' short subject, short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn (director), Edward Cahn. It was the 190th ''Our Gang'' short that was released.
Plot
Sally (Juanita Quigley) is a new student at the school that the ...
'' as "Harold", in 1940. He worked in support of Alfalfa Switzer in his first three films and then replaced the now too old Switzer as the comic lead of the group with the 1941 films. His character was known for his strange, guttural voice, which was reminiscent of a frog's croak. Laughlin's last ''Our Gang'' short film was the last film of the series in 1944 called ''
Dancing Romeo
''Dancing Romeo'' is a 1944 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Cyril Endfield. Produced and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 220th and final ''Our Gang'' short to be released.
Plot
Froggy has a crush on a young girl named M ...
''. Laughlin did the voice himself without dubbing, basing it on a
Popeye
Popeye the Sailor Man is a fictional cartoon character created by E. C. Segar, Elzie Crisler Segar.Johnny Doesn't Live Here Any More'', his only non-''Our Gang'' film, speaking in his natural voice for the only time on film.
Death
Laughlin died at a hospital on August 31, 1948, after a speeding truck struck the Cushman motor scooter on which he was delivering newspapers near his home in
La Puente
La Puente (Spanish for "The Bridge") is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city had a population of 39,816 at the 2010 census and is approximately east of downtown Los Angeles.
History
The original inhabitants of the ...
,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. The 16-year-old friend who was operating the scooter, John Wilband, made a U-turn in front of the truck, but survived with minor injuries.(09-02-1948)."Crash Kills Youth of 16". ''Los Angeles Times''. The scooter was given to Laughlin by his parents two weeks prior to the accident. Only 16, Laughlin died younger than any of the other actors who appeared in the ''Our Gang'' films.
Laughlin is interred in a grave at the Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Whittier,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...