<Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Relatives </Th> <Td> Harold Switzer (brother) </Td> </Tr> <P> Carl Dean Switzer (August 8, 1927--January 21, 1959) was an American actor, professional dog breeder, and hunting guide . </P> <P> Switzer began his career as a child actor in the mid-1930s appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best - remembered characters . After leaving the series in 1940, Switzer struggled to find substantial roles owing to typecasting . As an adult, he appeared mainly in bit parts and B - movies . He later became a dog breeder and hunting guide . </P>

Who played the original alfalfa in the little rascals