Trivia

Michael Jackson was a huge fan of the Our Gang series, and visited the elderly McFarland at his Dallas-area home. As they looked over George's photo albums, a picture of Spanky sitting on the front steps of his home caught Michael's eye. Unbeknownst to any of them before that day, both the McFarlands and the Jacksons had resided in that home, several decades apart.

Spanky's famous double and triple-takes were taught to him by Stan Laurel, while a great deal of his mannerisms (rolling of eyes, hands on hips, and his trademark exasperated expression) were inspired by Oliver Hardy. He, Laurel and Hardy were working together, but in different shorts, that were produced and directed by Hal Roach.

After leaving the acting profession, he worked for a wine company, an appliance manufacturer and a boot company.

Was an ardent golfer who, in his later years, could be frequently seen on the pro-am circuit.

Was an executive with Philco (later Philco Ford) for many years.

Had two sons, George Gregory McFarland and Verne Emmett McFarland, and one daughter, Betsy McFarland.

Received his big break through a one minute Wonder Bread commercial, after which his aunt sent him for a screen test with Hal Roach.

Spanky's real-life nickname as a child was "Sonny".

From 1955 to 1960, he created and hosted his own daily children's wraparound show, "The Spanky Show", which aired on KOTV (The Tulsa, Oklahoma affiliate of the CBS TV network). Set against the backdrop of a makeshift kids' clubhouse, Spanky entertained and informed his studio audiences and the viewers at home with games, stories, craftmaking, hobbies, comedy skits, informational segments, and interviews with guest performers, personalities, and the children in the studio audience in between the reruns of "The Little Rascals" film comedies.

Final onscreen appearance was as himself in the cold open of the "Cheers" (1982) episode "Woody Gets an Election" (1993, season 11, episode 21).

During final contract disputes between Hal Roach and Stan Laurel in the mid-1930s, a press release was issued that Oliver Hardy, Patsy Kelly and Spanky McFarland were to star together in 'The Hardy Family' series to be directed by James W. Horne with the first to be 'Their Night Out'.

So far he is one of the only two members of "Our Gang" and or "The Little Rascals" to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, (co-star Jackie Cooper being the other one among the two). His star is located in front of the Labrea Plaza strip mall, at 7095 Hollywood Blvd. on the North side of Hollywood Blvd., between the two closest cross streets of N. Labrea Avenue and El Cerrito Place and his star is near the stars belonging to actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and composer Irving Berlin.

Was the only Our Ganger to ever receive on-screen and poster billing. He received on-screen billing in Choo-Choo! (1932) and The Pooch (1932), and most Our Gang posters during the mid-1930s were billed: "Our Gang, featuring 'Spanky' McFarland, in..."

Among his jobs as an adult was working for the Philco-Ford company. He worked in the department that provided television sets to hotels and motels.

1960 American pop group Spanky and Our Gang named themselves after McFarland's character because of the similarity of lead singer Elaine "Spanky" McFarlane's surname.

Served in the United States Air Force at age 24 (1952).

He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7095 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 1, 1994.

Although Darla and Alfalfa were often paired romantically in the stories, Darla admitted years later that she had a crush on Spanky, who was warmer and more mature than the bratty Carl Switzer.

In his later years he had a pet cat named Spooky Old Alice. "Spooky Old Alice" was a humorous term that standup comedian George Gobel would use in referring to his wife.