Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer

Carl Switzer was an American child actor, singer, dog breeder, and hunting guide from Paris, Illinois. He became famous for portraying Alfalfa in the film series "Our Gang" during the 1930s. His character was one of the most memorable characters ever portrayed in the series. Later in his career, Switzer's acting roles were limited to bit parts and appearances in B-movies. He supported himself through other lines of work. Switzer was fatally shot by an acquaintance over a money dispute. The circumstances of his death are disputed, due to contradictory accounts by the shooter and by an eyewitness. In 1927, Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois. It is a small city, located about 165 miles (266 kilometers) south of Chicago and 90 miles (140 kilometers) west of Indianapolis. Paris is primarily known as the former seat of the baseball teams "Paris Parisians" (1908) and "Paris Lakers" (1950-1959). Switzer was the youngest of four children born to George Frederick "Fred" Switzer (1905-1960) and