Vito Delsante is a writer you should know

Or, maybe I should use the monicker that he is better known by: Stymie.

I love the Little Rascals (or rather, Our Gang).  My childhood was probably shaped by a lot of the mischief that these kids experienced.  I bought the Complete Collection DVD a little while ago, and something occurred to me: Stymie Beard was a great comedic actor, and keep in mind, he started doing the shorts when he was FIVE years old.  He was really quite phenomenal, and while there are some blatant racist overtones, Beard’s charm wins you over every time.  I don’t think that even the most racist of supremacists could deny that the kid was, truly, funny.  But I’ve never been one to wonder what a racist thinks, so let’s move on…

He had a rough life, post Our Gang.  According to his Wikipedia entry, he had a heroin habit and was in and out of jail throughout his teens.  He did eventually kick the habit and would show up on both Sanford and Son and Good Times.  He died in 1981, seven days after his 56th birthday, and what a tragedy to have died at such a young age.  He definitely had more to give.

So, let’s take a second to remember one of the greatest child actors of the 20th Century:

Finally, I present to you the greatest moment in children’s television:

Finally, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you that you can order FCHS right now via ComiXpress!