Donnie "Beezer" Smith
Donnie "Beezer" Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Donald Ray Smith |
| Died | July 8, 2022 |
| Occupation | Child actor |
| Years active | 1928–1929 |
| Family | Jay R. Smith (brother) |
Donald Ray Smith (died July 8, 2022) better known professionally 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
Donald Ray Smith was the brother of Jay R. Smith, who later joined the "Our Gang" and was known for his freckled face.[1][2]
Our Gang
Joining in 1928, Smith appeared in four Our Gang shorts, Fair and Muddy (1928),[3] 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.
Personal life
Smith died on July 8, 2022, at the age of 97.[7] When fellow former Our Gang actor Mildred Kornman died in 2022. At the time of his death, became one of two known surviving actors from the silent film era, the other being Garry Watson.[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
- ↑ "Slaying victim was 'Our Gang' actor – Las Vegas Sun Newspaper". Las Vegas Sun Newspaper. 22 October 2002. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Donnie 'Beezer' Smith". Lord Heath. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1976). The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. p. 97. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. Crown. p. 87.
- ↑ Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926–1959. McFarland. 10 July 2022. p. 100. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "Review of the Year - July 2022". Danbury Review. January 11, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
- ↑ "'Our Gang' Actress, '40s Fashion Model Mildred Kornman Dies at 97". Extra TV. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.