Darla Hood was an American actress best known for her roles in “Our Gang,” “The Little Rascals,” and various television commercials. She was a prominent child star in the 1930s and 1940s.
Personal and Family Life
Darla Hood was born on November 8, 1931, in Leedey, Oklahoma. She started acting at a very young age, joining “Our Gang” when she was just 2½ years old. After marrying Robert Wallace Decker in 1949, she formed a vocal group and had two children with him. Later, she married Jose Ernesto Granson in 1958, and they had three children together.
Career Highlights
Darla had a successful early career, appearing in 51 “Our Gang” shorts and becoming the most well-known female character during her time with the group from 1935 to 1941. She also made guest appearances on various shows, such as “The Jack Benny Program” and voiced the mermaid in “Chicken of the Sea” commercials. Despite her success as a child star, she found it challenging to transition into adult roles after her time with “Our Gang.”
Death and Legacy
Darla Hood passed away on June 13, 1979, in Hollywood, California, due to complications from acute hepatitis caused by a blood transfusion. She had just undergone an appendectomy shortly before her death. Darla was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved child actor.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Robot Wrecks | 1941-07-12 | Darla |
| Bored of Education | 1936-08-20 | Darla |
| The Bat | 1959-08-09 | Judy Hollander |
| The Bohemian Girl | 1936-02-14 | Arline as a Child |
| Came the Brawn | 1938-04-15 | Darla |
| Hide and Shriek | 1938-06-18 | Darla |
| Our Gang Follies of 1938 | 1937-12-18 | Darla |
| Feed ’em and Weep | 1938-05-06 | Darla |
| The Little Rascals’ Christmas Special | 1979-12-03 | Mom (voice) |
| Neighborhood House | 1936-03-09 | Mary Chase |