Donnie "Beezer" Smith
Born(1924-09-17)September 17, 1924
Kern County, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 2022(2022-07-08) (aged 97)
Dade City, Florida, U.S.
OccupationChild actor
Years active1928–1929

Donald Ray Smith (September 17, 1924 – July 8, 2022), better known as Donnie "Beezer" Smith, was an American child actor. He appeared in the Our Gang film short series during the silent Pathé era, in between 1928 and 1929.

Early life

Born in Kern County, California on September 17, 1924,[1] he was the brother of Jay R. Smith, who later joined the "Our Gang" and was known for his freckled face.[2][3]

Our Gang

Joining in 1928, Smith appeared in four Our Gang shorts, Fair and Muddy (1928),[1] Little Mother (1929),[4] Boxing Gloves (1929),[5] and Cat, Dog & Co. (1929).[6] He played supporting to small parts, whom he played a character billed either as Donnie or Beezer.

Death

Smith died in Dade City, Florida on July 8, 2022, at the age of 97.[1] He had seven children.[7] At the time of his death, Smith was one of three known surviving actors from the silent film era, along with fellow former Our Gang actor Mildred Kornman (1925–2022) and Garry Watson (born 1928).[8]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1928 Fair and Muddy Unnamed Short film
1929 Little Mother Beezer Short film
1929 Boxing Gloves Donnie Short film
1929 Cat, Dog & Co. Donnie Short film

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Donnie 'Beezer' Smith". Lord Heath. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Slaying victim was 'Our Gang' actor – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun Newspaper. 22 October 2002. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. ↑ Klepper, Robert K. (2015). Silent Films, 1877–1996: A Critical Guide to 646 Movies. McFarland. p. 501. ISBN 978-1-4766-0484-8. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  4. ↑ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1976). The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. p. 97. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  5. ↑ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. Crown. p. 87.
  6. ↑ Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926–1959. McFarland. 10 July 2022. p. 100. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Donnie "Beezer" Smith | The Little Rascals". The Little Rascals Proboards. November 19, 2007.
  8. ↑ "'Our Gang' Actress, '40s Fashion Model Mildred Kornman Dies at 97". Extra TV. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
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