Betsy Gay, the Little Rascals child actress and award-winning yodeler, has died. She was 96.
Gay died in Bakersfield, California, on Friday, her friend Robert Satterfield wrote on Facebook.
Originally named Our Gang Comedies, she joined Little Rascals in 1935 when she was 6, where she went on to appear in several episodes. Gay eventually landed the role of Alfalfa’s girlfriend, Effie, and continued performing there until 1938, and went on to appear in a series of movies, including Tom Sawyer, A Day At The Races and Mystery Plane, among others.
In 1941, she ventured into music after being asked to appear in a Columbia Pictures film featuring Andy Clyde. There, she learned to yodel for the project and continued her yodeling career. Two years later, she appeared in What’s Buzzin Cousin, where she yodeled and acted.
Her talents led her to win the California State Yodeling Championship in 1945 and again in 1946. Throughout her career, Gay made frequent radio appearances, including The Jimmy Wakley Show, The Don Ameche Show and the Hank Penny Show.
She recorded the song “Belle of the old Barn Dance” for Superior Record Label in 1946, and subsequently went on a tour along the East Coast.
Her additional credits include Quality Street, A Kiss For Cinderella, Heros Unlimited, When You’re In Love, Nothing Sacred, It Happened In Hollywood, The Pinch Singer, Arbor Day and Came the Brawn.
