GEORGE 'SPANKY' MCFARLAND BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

George McFarland, known as 'Spanky' was an American actor born in Fort Worth, Texas on October 2nd, 1928.   His full legal name was George Roberts Phillip McFarland.  His parents were Robert Emmett and Virginia McFarland. He had three siblings, Thomas Amanda, and Roderick.  As a baby, he was already working as a print model for a bakery in Dallas.  Due to his chubby appearance and his he happiness he portrayed, he was considered an adorable baby in the publics eye.
 
Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California placed an add in a magazine looking for cute kids to replace Joe Cobb for a series.  'Spanky's' aunt sent in his photos and he was given the opportunity for a screen test.  It was this image he exuded as a toddler that led him to the "Our Gang" series of shorts.  So at the young age of three he was a key role in the " Our gangs" children's comedy movie series.
 
In 1936, "Spanky" starred in a feature film, "General Spanky" but it was a disappointment and an unsuccessful venture to try and create the "Our Gang" series into features.  'Spanky' did have a chance to do some work in other films such as, "Wheeler & Woolsey". 

In 1938, 'Spanky' retired from "Our Gang" and the unit was sold by Hal Roach and bought by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ( MGM), however they began casting for a replacement for " Spanky' and ended up hiring George McFarland back for the same role.  'Spanky' continued to work on the series with MGM until his final appearance in the series, "Unexpected Riches" 1942 at thirteen years old.  
 
It is rumored that, George McFarland received the nickname 'Spanky' when he was mis behaving on set and his mother was overheard saying, "Spanky musn't touch" hence George was dubbed, 'Spanky'.  The public knew him as 'Spanky' the fat boy of the "Our Gang" short film comedies.  
 
Then in 1952 at the age of 24, he joined the US Air Force.  When he returned from his service he was so type cast in the role of 'Spanky' that the entertainment world did not have any open doors for him.  He found employment in such venues as as soft drink plant, a popsicle factory and even a hamburger stand.  However he did get a chance to went on thost his own kids TV show, "The Spanky Show" airing in Oklahoma.   He procceded to work in the car industry for Philco Ford Corporation and he was promoted to national sales director.  

'Spanky' did however get recognized for his childhood fame by being one of only two members of the "Our Gang" series to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  'Spanky' also had his own namesake charity golf classic for 16 years, held in Marion, Indiana.  Although, 'Spanky' did not get rich off his series, he enjoyed the opportunites he got to meet his fans and share with them his love for working on the series. One of his last personal appearances before he passed on was a cameo as himself on the TV-Series "Cheers".  George 'Spanky' McFarland passed away suddenly on June 30th, 1993 in Grapevine, Texas from heart failure.  His remaines were cremated. 
 

Filmography

1944    The Woman in the Window
1943    Seeing Hands 
1943    I Escaped from the Gestapo
1942    Johnny Doughboy
1942    Unexpected Riches 
1942    Mighty Lak a Goat
1942    Rover's Big Chance
1942    Doin' Their Bit
1942    Surprised Parties
1942    Don't Lie
1942    Going to Press 
1942    Melodies Old and New
1941    Wedding Worries
1941    Come Back, Miss Pipps
1941    Helping Hands 
1941    Robot Wrecks
1941    1-2-3 Go!
1941    Ye Olde Minstrels
1941    Fightin' Fools 
1941    Baby Blues 
1941    0Kiddie Kure 
1940    Goin' Fishin'
1940    Waldo's Last Stand
1940    Good Bad Boys 
1940    Bubbling Troubles
1940    The New Pupil
1940    All About Hash
1940    The Big Premiere 
1940    Alfalfa's Double
1939    Time Out for Lessons
1939    Dad for a Day  
1939    Captain Spanky's Show Boat
1939    Auto Antics
1939    Dog Daze 
1939    Joy Scouts
1939    Cousin Wilbur
1939    Clown Princes 
1939    Duel Personalities
1939    Tiny Troubles 
1939    Alfalfa's Aunt
1938    Practical Jokers
1938    Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus
1938    McFarland
1938    Football Romeo
1938    Men in Fright
1938    Aladdin's Lantern
1938    Came the Brawn
1938    Three Men in a Tub 
1938    Bear Facts
1938    Canned Fishing 
1937    Our Gang Follies of
1937    Mail and Female
1937    The Pigskin Palooka
1937    Framing Youth
1937    Fishy Tales  
1937    Night 'n' Gales
1937    Roamin' Holiday 
1937    Three Smart Boys
1937    Hearts Are Thumps 
1937    Glove Taps
1937    Reunion in Rhythm
1936    General Spanky
1936    Spooky Hooky
1936    Pay As You Exit
1936    Two Too Young
1936    Bored of Education
1936    Arbor Day
1936    Second Childhood
1936    The Lucky Corner
1936    The Trail of the Lonesome Pine
1936    Divot Diggers
1936    The Pinch Singer 
1936    Our Gang Follies of
1935    Little Sinner 
1935    shaughnessy's Boy
1935    Little Papa
1935    Here Comes the Band 
1935    Sprucin' Up 
1935    Teacher's Beau 
1935    Beginner's Luck
1935    Anniversary Trouble
1934    Shrimps for a Day
1934    Mama's Little Pirate
1934    Kentucky Kernels 
1934    Washee Ironee
1934    Mike Fright
1934    Honky Donkey
1934    Benny, from Panama
1934    The First Round-Up
1934    For Pete's Sake!
1934    Hi Neighbor!
1934    The Cracked Iceman
1934    Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
1933    Wild Poses
1933    Day of Reckoning
1933    Bedtime Worries
1933    Mush and Milk
1933    One Track Minds 
1933    The Kid from Borneo
1933    Forgotten Babies
1933    Fish Hooky
1932    A Lad an' a Lamp
1932    Birthday Blues 
1932    Free Wheeling
1932    Hook and Ladder
1932    The Pooch
1932    The Famous Ferguson Case
1932    Spanky 
1932    Choo Choo! 
1932    Free Eats