Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was born on August 7, 1927 He began his career as a child actor in the 1930s appearing in the Our Gang short films as Alfalfa, one of the most popular and best remembered characters. He left the series in 1940 and struggled to find substantial roles due to typecasting. As an adult, he appeared mainly in small parts and B-movies. He later became a dog breeder and hunting guide. Switzer married in 1954 and had one son before divorcing in 1956. On January 21, 1959, he was fatally shot by Bud Stiltz in a dispute over money. Sitltz claimed he acted in self defense after Switzer pulled a knife and was cleared of wrongdoing by a coroner's jury. Photograph caption dated January 22, 1959 reads "Moses S. 'Bud' Stiltz admits firing fatal shot but says he did it in self defense, police report."
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Switzer, Carl,--1927-1959--Death and burial Stiltz, Moses S Stiltz, Moses S.--Trials, litigation, etc Men--California--Los Angeles Portrait photographs Los Angeles Evening Herald Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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