Johnny Downs

Johnny Downs (October 10, 1913 in Brooklyn, New York – June 6, 1994 in Coronado, California) is a former Little Rascal and star of the original silent Our Gang shorts, having replaced previous Rascal, Andy Samuel, as the local tough. Johnny worked regularly through the series and later worked with fellow Rascals, Mary Kornman and Scooter Lowry, a few times in stage shows. He landed on Broadway and returned to Hollywood for a cameo in Laurel and Hardy's "Babes In Toyland" as Little Boy Blue alongside former Rascal Jean Darling playing Curly Locks and several other younger Little Rascals playing schoolchildren. He mainly starred in lightweight musicals with few non-singing roles. Still looking like the All-American boy, he left California to return to New York City, starring in one hit show, "Are You With It?" and working in vaudeville, summer stock and television work while supporting his wife and four kids. He even starred in a short lived series of two-reelers for Columbia in the 1940s. In the early Fifties, he enjoyed a brief movie comeback in a few films, like The Mad Monster, but after his film career, he found work in real estate and as a television host in Southern California. On TV, he worked frequently with former Rascal Jackie Lynn Taylor on her local 70s TV show in California, "The Little Rascals Family Theater." He continued staying in touch with fellow Rascals and with fans until his death in 1994.

Riffed Movies

• The Mad Monster (Experiment #103) - as Tom Gregory