Sidney Kibrick, the last surviving featured performer from the beloved Our Gang comedy shorts, has died at the age of 97. The former child star passed away on Saturday in a hospital in Northridge, Los Angeles, as confirmed by his daughter, Jane Lipsic.
From Minneapolis to Hollywood Stardom
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1928, Kibrick moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was just five years old. His big break came when a film producer discovered him while scouting at the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. He was not the only actor in the family; his older brother, Leonard Kibrick, also appeared in the series.
Kibrick's career flourished throughout the 1930s. He appeared in more than two dozen Our Gang short subjects between 1933 and 1939, becoming a familiar face to audiences. His first foray onto the screen was a non-speaking role in the feature film Dead End. After an uncredited debut in 1933's Out All Night, he was cast as a series regular in 1935.
The Life of a 'Woim' and Beyond
In the Our Gang series, Kibrick was best known for playing 'Woim' – a Brooklyn-accented pronunciation of 'worm'. He served as the sidekick to the neighbourhood bully, Butch, portrayed by Tommy Bond. At the height of his fame, the young actor earned $750 a week, a sum he later recalled was "a lot in those days, especially during the Depression."
Despite the success, Kibrick chose to leave acting at the age of 15. "I'd had enough," he once said, noting that while his parents were initially reluctant, his mother eventually supported his decision. His final onscreen credit was in the 1943 Bowery Boys movie, Keep 'Em Slugging.
Beyond Our Gang, he also appeared in films starring Shirley Temple (Just Around the Corner), Tyrone Power (Jesse James), and Glenn Ford (Flight Lieutenant).
A Lasting Legacy and a Life After Film
After stepping away from Hollywood, Kibrick built a successful career as a real estate developer. He maintained strong ties with his former cast mates, regularly attending reunions for the iconic series. Reflecting on his time as a child star in 2023, he described a rigorous schedule: "We'd have two hours of schooling in the morning and then work anywhere from six to 16 hours until we finished." He credited director Gordon Douglas for being "a terrific guy" who could "get a lot out of each kid."
He believed the enduring appeal of Our Gang – also known as The Little Rascals – lay in its universal themes. "I think people, even today, could identify with being a child and being mischievous when life was simple. It was fun, and it made people laugh," Kibrick explained. The series, created by producer Hal Roach, ran from 1922 to 1944 and was historically significant for portraying black and white children interacting as equals during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation.
Kibrick is survived by his daughter, Jane Lipsic; son-in-law, Marty; granddaughter, Dana; grandson, Adam; three great-granddaughters and a great-grandson. His wife of 65 years, Greta, predeceased him in 2013.
