Betsy Gay, a former child actress best known for her role as Alfalfa’s girlfriend in the “Our Gang” comedy series that later became known as “The Little Rascals,” died on June 13 in Bakersfield, California. She was 96.
Gay’s death was announced by her friend Robert Satterfield in a Facebook post. Satterfield noted that “She will be deeply missed.” No cause of death was provided.
Born on February 2, 1929, in Waterford, Connecticut, Gay began her Hollywood career in the mid-1930s when her family relocated to Los Angeles in 1935. Her parents operated a music school where they taught singing, piano, banjo, violin, guitar and accordion.
Gay joined the “Our Gang Comedies” series in the 1930s, appearing in several episodes including “The Pinch Singer” and “Arbor Day” in 1936, and “Our Gang Follies of 1938.” She eventually landed the recurring role of Effie, the girlfriend of the character Alfalfa, played by Carl Switzer. Gay remained with the comedy group for more than four years before transitioning to other film projects in 1938.
During her acting career, Gay appeared in more than 40 feature films. Her notable roles included appearances in “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” in 1938, “When You’re in Love” with Cary Grant in 1937, “It Happened in Hollywood” with Richard Dix in 1937, and “At the Circus” with the Marx Brothers in 1939. Other film credits included “Man of Conquest,” “Mystery Plane,” and “Bachelor Daddy” in 1941.
In 1941, Gay showcased her musical talents in an Andy Clyde comedy short for Columbia Pictures, where she performed a yodeling scene. Through 1943, she continued acting in stage plays at the Pasadena Playhouse, taking roles in productions including “Quality Street,” “A Kiss For Cinderella,” and “Heroes Unlimited.”
Gay developed significant talents as a yodeler beyond her acting career. In 1943, she appeared in “What’s Buzzin’, Cousin?” where she portrayed a hillbilly character and performed yodeling scenes alongside Dub Taylor, Ann Miller, and Freddy Martin’s orchestra.
By 1944, Gay made regular singing appearances with country music artist Stuart Hamblen and his Lucky Stars. Her yodeling skills earned her recognition when she won the California State Yodeling Championship at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1945, successfully defending her title again in 1946.
Despite not achieving a hit yodeling single, Gay became a familiar voice on several radio programs. She appeared on “The Hank Penny Show,” “The Jimmy Wakely Show,” and “The Don Ameche Show,” where she performed songs including “Belle of the Old Barn Dance,” “Texas Plains,” “Chime Bells,” “Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” and “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Dream Girl.”
In 1946, Gay embarked on an East Coast tour to further her music career. She continued performing with Tex Williams and his band throughout the 1950s. Gay also maintained her connection to television, becoming a regular cast member on ABC’s “Squeakin’ Deacon’s Country Store.”
Her extensive television credits included appearances on “Hometown Jamboree,” “County Barn Dance,” “Town Hall Party,” “Country America,” “International Party Time,” and “Polka Show.” From 1957 to 1959, she was a regular cast member on “Country America” on KABC TV, performing alongside notable artists including Johnny Cash, Faron Young, and The Everly Brothers.
Gay married Thomas Cashen in 1954 after meeting him at a church club. The couple remained married for more than five decades until Cashen’s death in 2005. Together, they had five children: twins Mimi and Gigi, Tommy, Suzy, and Cathy. According to Gay, her children and grandchildren all inherited the family’s musical abilities and love for music.
Gay’s twins Mimi and Gigi also appeared in the entertainment industry as babies, featuring in the 1956 film “Giant” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. The twins additionally made appearances on “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” as well as in television commercials.
Satterfield noted that Gay attended the final “Little Rascals” reunion in 2014. In a 2019 interview, Gay shared memories of her time with the “Our Gang” series, revealing she was six years old when she began appearing in the films. She also recalled reuniting with Carl Switzer years later on Stuart Hamblen’s radio show, where Switzer gave her what she described as her first kiss during a staged romantic moment for the program.