Matthew Beard Jr. (January 1, 1925 â€" January 8, 1981) was an
American child actor, most famous for portraying the character of
Stymie in the Our Gang short films from 1930-35. The role was so high
profile that he adopted the name Stymie Beard, credited with this for
some later roles, such as his 1978 appearance in The Buddy Holly
Story. He was a native of Los Angeles, California.Matthew Beard Jr.
was born near Los Angeles, California. His father was Matthew Beard
and his mother was Johnnie Mae Beard (née Clay). His father was also
the founding pastor of Beloved Church of God in Christ, in Los
Angeles.Beard had previously played baby parts in many films before
signing a five-year contract to play in Our Gang. In contrast to
Farina, the character he replaced, Stymie was a slick-tongued
con-artist who was always self-assured, nonchalant, and ready with a
sly comment as well as clever ideas to solve the problems he faced.
Stymie could also offer sound, commonsense advice that helped resolve
the dilemmas of his playmates. The character's trademark was a bald
head crowned by an oversize derby hat, a gift to Beard from comedian
Stan Laurel, who had also worked under Our Gang creator Hal Roach.
Stymie is the only Our Ganger who both replaced one of the original
gang members (Allen "Farina" Hoskins) and was in turn replaced by one
who would stay on until the series disbanded, Billie "Buckwheat"
Thomas.The name "Stymie" was provided by Our Gang director Robert
McGowan, who was always frustrated ("stymied") by little Matthew's
curious wanderings around the studio; the character was originally to
be named "Hercules". McGowan would later recall that Stymie was his
favorite of all the Our Gang kids. The then five-year-old Beard came
to the series a year after the transition from the silent/early talkie
era Our Gang. He had the exclusive distinction of being with the gang
from "Miss Crabtree" talkies of the early 1930s, through the
mid-thirties transitional period, up until the era of the more
familiar group of Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat, who would ultimately
replace Stymie in 1935.
American child actor, most famous for portraying the character of
Stymie in the Our Gang short films from 1930-35. The role was so high
profile that he adopted the name Stymie Beard, credited with this for
some later roles, such as his 1978 appearance in The Buddy Holly
Story. He was a native of Los Angeles, California.Matthew Beard Jr.
was born near Los Angeles, California. His father was Matthew Beard
and his mother was Johnnie Mae Beard (née Clay). His father was also
the founding pastor of Beloved Church of God in Christ, in Los
Angeles.Beard had previously played baby parts in many films before
signing a five-year contract to play in Our Gang. In contrast to
Farina, the character he replaced, Stymie was a slick-tongued
con-artist who was always self-assured, nonchalant, and ready with a
sly comment as well as clever ideas to solve the problems he faced.
Stymie could also offer sound, commonsense advice that helped resolve
the dilemmas of his playmates. The character's trademark was a bald
head crowned by an oversize derby hat, a gift to Beard from comedian
Stan Laurel, who had also worked under Our Gang creator Hal Roach.
Stymie is the only Our Ganger who both replaced one of the original
gang members (Allen "Farina" Hoskins) and was in turn replaced by one
who would stay on until the series disbanded, Billie "Buckwheat"
Thomas.The name "Stymie" was provided by Our Gang director Robert
McGowan, who was always frustrated ("stymied") by little Matthew's
curious wanderings around the studio; the character was originally to
be named "Hercules". McGowan would later recall that Stymie was his
favorite of all the Our Gang kids. The then five-year-old Beard came
to the series a year after the transition from the silent/early talkie
era Our Gang. He had the exclusive distinction of being with the gang
from "Miss Crabtree" talkies of the early 1930s, through the
mid-thirties transitional period, up until the era of the more
familiar group of Spanky, Alfalfa, and Buckwheat, who would ultimately
replace Stymie in 1935.
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