American film actress, Betsy Gay, who starred in a string of comedy films including Our Gang Comedies, which later became known as Little Rascals, has died aged 96
Little Rascals star, Betsy Gay, has sadly died aged 96. The celebrated actress, who was born in 1929 in Connecticut, starred in a series of comedy films in the mid thirties called Our Gang Comedies, which later became known as the Little Rascals. Betsy’s death was revealed by her friend, Bob Satterfield on June 13. No additional details about her passing were disclosed.
The late screen star appeared in several episodes of Our Gang Comedies before accepting the role of Alfalfa’s girlfriend, Effie. She stayed with the comedy group for more than four years before being cast in a number of other projects in 1938. Betsy made appearances in more than 40 feature films, including Tom Sawyer, Came the Brawn, Man of Conquest, A Day At The Circus and Mystery Plane.
In 1941, she had a yodelling scene in an Andy Clyde short, and after performing the peculiar singing skill, marked by rapid alternation between the normal voice and falsetto, in a handful of other movies, she started singing with country music stars of the time such as Stuart Hamblen and his Lucky Stars as well as Tex Williams.
Betsy was also California State Yodelling Champion two years in a row in the mid-1940s.
Per reports, Betsy was also the youngest entertainer to sing and yodel for the Hollywood Victory Committee Shows during World War Two.
Alongside her impressive music career, which involved touring and radio appearances on shows including The Jimmy Wakeley Show and The Don Amache Show, she continued pursuing acting opportunities.
At one point, she was a regular cast member of the ABC show Squeakin’ Deacon’s Country Store and in the 1960s was a regular on the Mike Douglas show, International Party Time, which ran for 13 weeks.
In 1954, she married Thomas Cashen and they shared five children – twins Mimi and Gigi, Tommy, Suzy and Cathy.
Although she had not been in the spotlight for several decades, Betsy uploaded a brief YouTube clip in 2019 celebrating World Yodel Day.
In the video, she says: “Happy International Yodel Day from Betsy Gay, California.”
Paying tribute to the star following the news of her death, many of Betsy’s fans flocked to X. One posted: “This was such a great show” as another replied: “Gone too soon” with a praying emoji.
Meanwhile, a third praised the child star for her early acting career, saying: “Imagine living to 96 and your remembered by something you did 90 years ago.”
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