George Robert Phillips McFarland was born October 2, 1928, in Dallas. 10, 1980, 46 years to the day after his mother brought him to audition at Hal Roach Studios. He died of a heart attack in his Los Angeles apartment on Oct. It was great.” Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, late 1930s We went to school together, played together, laughed together. Even the big stars had to chase around and audition it seemed like a rat race to me, with no security.” Of being part of The Little Rascals, he added, “I enjoyed it.
In a 1980 interview, he explained, “After the Army, I wasn’t really interested in the hassle of performing. Although Thomas was somewhat in demand for film and stage roles, he opted for a behind-the-scenes job as a film lab technician with Technicolor. He was honorably discharged from active duty, receiving a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. 1930s)Īfter he left the film shorts, Thomas enlisted in the U.S. Hal Roach’s Little Rascals: William ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, (ca. That portrayal would be deemed quite controversial in the years to come. Thomas initially played Buckwheat - speech impediment and all - as a girl dressed as the stereotypical African-American “pickaninny.” He wore bowed pigtails, a large hand-me-down sweater, and oversized boots. 1936īut the Buckwheat character slowly morphed into a boy. From left: Spanky McFarland, Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas, ca.
The “Buckwheat” character was originally a female, portrayed by Matthew “Stymie” Beard’s younger sister, Carlena. Thomas first appeared in the 1934 Our Gang shorts as a background player. was born on March 12, 1931, in Los Angeles. Buckwheat of The Little Rascals the culturegeist
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