Biography

Jay R. Smith

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Jay R. Smith was the second freckled-faced youngster to be featured in producer Hal Roach's successful film series, "Our Gang" (later known on television as "The Little Rascals".) His first "Our Gang" film was _Boys Will be Joys(1925)_ in a small role. Smith was put into the series as a sort-of replacement for Mickey Daniels, the original freckle-faced kid in the gang; Daniels was outgrowing his youthful role. While never a "star" in the Gang, Smith continued in the series for the next four years. He made his last Gang appearance in the early talkie _Moan & Groan, Inc.(1929)_ as a boy who gets a police officer trapped in Japanese handcuff toy. As an adult, Smith got into the retail paint business and attended movie conventions, offering his signature. On October 5, 2002, Smith's body was found 25 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada, having died from multiple stab wounds. Charles "Wayne" Crombie, a homeless man who Smith had reportedly befriended, was later convicted of the murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison.
- IMDb mini biography by: jimtinder

The second "Little Rascals" former star to tragically die in 2002. Co-star Darwood Kaye was killed by hit-and-run driver.
Was a semi-regular at the Hollywood Collectors Show in North Hollywood, California, in the four years before his untimely death. Was a popular fixture at this convention.
Was found dead in the desert north of Las Vegas on October 5th 2002. He died of multiple stab wounds and was a victim of a robbery.
A homeless man doing odd jobs for him and sleeping by his shed was being sought for questioning surrounding his murder.
Owned a paint store and served in the Army in WWII as an adult.

(referring to his "Our Gang" acting stint: "None of us took it seriously while it was happening. But looking back, it was a very pleasant time in my life, and as I grow older, it gets more valuable."
None of us took [the "Our Gang" series] seriously while it was happening. But looking back, it was a very pleasant time in my life, and as I grow older, it gets more valuable.

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