Sidney Kibrick, Last Surviving ‘Our Gang’ Star, Dies at 97

Sidney Kibrick, the beloved child actor best known for his role in Our Gang (later The Little Rascals), has passed away at the age of 97. His daughter confirmed that Kibrick died on January 3 at a hospital in Northridge, California, marking the end of an era as the final surviving cast member from the 1930s shorts.

From Minneapolis to Hollywood Fame

Born in Minneapolis in 1928, Kibrick moved to Los Angeles as a child and was discovered while attending a movie. At just five years old, he joined Hal Roach’s Our Gang series, where he became widely known as “Woim,” a nickname inspired by his Brooklyn-style pronunciation of “worm.” He appeared in nearly two dozen shorts between 1935 and 1939.

A Demanding Childhood Career

“It was a grind making those shorts,” Kibrick once said, recalling long workdays balanced with only a few hours of schooling. Despite the intense schedule, he credited director Gordon Douglas for bringing out the best in the young cast.

Life Beyond the Spotlight

Kibrick left Hollywood at 15, making his final appearance in Keep ‘Em Slugging (1943). Though he stepped away from fame, fans never forgot him, and letters continued arriving until his final years.

His legacy lives on through laughter, memories, and a timeless piece of Hollywood history.