He Couldn’t Change His “Child Star” Image
From 1935 to 1940, in those classic comedy shorts, he was best friends with George McFarland’s Spanky and best guy to the sweet Darla Hood. He managed to land subsequent acting gigs, but mostly small parts. This was largely because he was older but still looked like he did in those shorts.
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Some of his credits include Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1942), Johnny Doughboy, Johnny Doughboy, co-starring Spanky (also 1942), The Great Mike (1944), and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). In the latter, he actually played Donna Reed’s date until James Stewart’s George Bailey enters the picture. He took a few more roles after and made television guest appearances throughout the 1950s. But then, he was ready to try something else.