• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • ABOUT US
  • MEDIA
  • PRIVACY
  • TERMS
  • DMCA
  • CONTACT US
  • AUTHORS
do you remember

DoYouRemember?

The Home of Nostalgia

  • Celebrity News
    • Family
    • Obituaries
    • Life Behind the Fame
    • ICONS
    • Celebrity Feuds
  • Entertainment
    • Cast
    • Showbiz Rewind
    • Music
    • Beauty & fashion
  • STORIES
  • Celebrity Buzz!?
  • Sitcoms
    • Bewitched
    • Little Rascals
    • The Partridge Family
    • I Dream of Jeannie
    • All in the Family
    • MASH
    • Happy Days
    • Cheers
  • Celebrity Collections
  • SHOP DYR
    • DYR Book

Stories

Whatever Happened To Darla Hood From ‘The Little Rascals’?

by Jane Kenney

Published September 2, 2021

Whatever Happened To Darla Hood From 'The Little Rascals'

Darla Hood was introduced to the gang with the very popular short Our Gang Follies of 1936. Darla was the adorable little girl who loved to sing and became an instant star and fan-favorite with her sweet charm and undeniable talents.

We’re taking a look at the life and career of Darla Hood. Darla’s mom introduced her to performing at an early age. The family moved to New York to seek opportunities for fame for Darla, that was when Joe Rivkin, a casting director for Hal Roach Studios, cast her in the Gang shorts.

Related:

  1. ‘The Little Rascals’: Darla Hood Had a Happy Life and Successful Career, But Still Met a Tragic End
  2. Whatever Happened To George “Spanky” McFarland From ‘Little Rascals’?

The short life of the talented Darla Hood

darla hood
Young Darla Hood / YouTube Screenshot

Later on, Rivkin again cast her in her final adult role in a Vincent Price-led horror flick called The Bat in 1959. However, a large portion of her acting credits is in Gang shorts as her life was cut far too short.

RELATED: ‘The Little Rascals’ Cast Then And Now 2021

darla hood in the bat
THE BAT, Darla Hood, 1959 / Everett Collection

In the late ’70s, Darla was busy organizing a Little Rascals reunion when she underwent an appendectomy. Sadly and in theme with most of the Rascals’ fates, Darla contracted hepatitis from the surgery and died of heart failure in June 1979 at the age of 47. 

darla hood
Darla Hood in her later life / YouTube Screenshot

The Gang community was completely stunned by the death of Darla. Fellow Rascal, Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas said “I hate to hear it. It’s a shock. She was an awfully nice person, a fine woman. We got along real good as kids.” He then died a little over a year later, and George “Spanky” McFarland attributed his death to a broken heart over the death of Darla.

Next up: Paulina Porizkova Says She Was Recognized As “Lady Who Cries On Instagram”

Previous article: Paulina Porizkova Says She Was Recognized As “Lady Who Cries On Instagram”
Next Post: One Way ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Willie Robertson Didn’t Follow In His Father’s Footsteps

Primary Sidebar

© 2025 DoYouRemember? Inc.

  • about us
  • media
  • privacy
  • terms
  • DMCA
  • CONTACT US
  • AUTHORS