- In White Christmas (1954), the photo that Vera-Ellen shows to Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye of her brother Bennie is actually a photo of Switzer.
- His best friend in the "Our Gang" cast was Tommy Bond, who played his on-screen nemesis Butch.
- He had three older siblings, Harold Switzer, Janice "Genness" Genevieve and a brother who died during childhood.
- His father was often engaged in power struggles with George 'Spanky' McFarland's father (over billing, screen time, star status, etc.). The boys, however, managed to get along fine with one another.
- Despite his trademark off-key singing, in real life he was a very skilled singer.
- He and his brother Harold Switzer decided to audition for Our Gang but could not gain access into the studio. They went to the Our Gang Cafe and began singing and were quickly signed into Beginner's Luck (1935).
- Although one of the most popular members of "Our Gang," his later life became an almost textbook example of the former child star whose life takes a turn for the worse. Numerous brushes with the law, a broken marriage, and grade-Z film work (when he could get it) all led up to his sudden, violent death in January 1959 at the age of only 31. Eight years later a similar fate befell his brother, Harold Switzer, who then operated a company installing and servicing washers and dryers. In April 1967, after killing a customer over a dispute, he drove to a remote area near Glendale, CA and committed suicide. He was 42.
- Shot to death by an acquaintance in Mission Hills, Ca, during an argument over $50 that Switzer felt the acquaintance owed him. The acquaintance pleaded self-defense, and the judge ruled the death "justifiable homicide.".
- In addition to acting, he worked as a bartender, dog trainer and fishing and hunting guide.
- He died on the same day as Cecil B. DeMille. Coincidentally, one of his final acting roles was an uncredited appearance as a slave in The Ten Commandments (1956), the last film which DeMille directed.
- Things didn't go well for the other Our Gang members. Darla Hood contracted hepatitis in hospital and died aged 47, Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas died of a heart attack age 49, Robert Blake was tried and acquitted of his wife's murder, Tommy Bond and his wife were severely injured in a car crash in 1996 and Pete the Dog was fatally poisoned.
- Was a "problem child" during his tenure in "Our Gang." He was known for staging pranks on both the crew and his fellow child actors (including his on-screen girlfriend Darla Hood, who in real life was apprehensive of Switzer).
- For all his problems, Switzer did have notable success as an adult as a highly regarded hunting guide, whose regular clientele included Roy Rogers and James Stewart.
- His father and brother were buried next to him.
- Buried at Hollywood Memorial Park (now Hollywood Forever), 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.
- Appeared in six movies nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Human Comedy (1943), Going My Way (1944), It's a Wonderful Life (1946), A Letter to Three Wives (1949), The Ten Commandments (1956) and The Defiant Ones (1958). Of those, Going My Way (1944) is a winner in the category.
- His marriage lasted four months and produced a son. His family has always kept his son's name secret. His son's name is Justin Lance Collingwood Switzer.
- Died as a result of an argument over $50 and a hunting dog that ran off. He posted a $50 reward for the lost dog, and it was returned to him. He gave the guy $15 and $35 worth of drinks. He felt he was owed the $50 by Bud Stiltz.
- Many people believed that the dog on his grave referred to "Petey" of Little Rascals fame, because someone had painted a ring around the dogs eye. The dog was a reference to his abilities as a breeder of hunting dogs.
- Distant cousin of David Switzer.
- The actor who opens up the pool that James Stewart and Donna Reed tumbles into is none other than Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, from the Little Rascals series.
- During an interview in Alfalfa and the Gang (1999), Darwood Kaye stated that Switzer one time threw a firecracker at his father's back on the set of Our Gang.
- The pool that James Stewart and Donna Reed tumble is in Beverly Hills High School. There is a retractable floor which is used as a basketball court. Both are fully operational and in use today.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content