'The Little Rascals' Cast Then and Now: Child stars of comedy film through the years

Over two decades have passed since the film's release and some of the main actors went on to star in some great roles

PUBLISHED SEP 23, 2023

Ross Bagley, Juliette Brewer, Blake Collins, Blake Ewing, Bug Hall, Brittany Ashton Holmes, Heather Karasek, Zachary Mabry, Courtland Mead, Petey, Sam Saletta, Travis Tedford, Jordan Warkol, Kevin Jamal Woods, and Elmer in The Little Rascals (Universal)

Some child stars from the 1994 comedy are still in showbiz while others had other unique adventures

Ross Bagley, Bug Hall, Brittany Ashton Holmes, Zachary Mabry, Courtland Mead, Petey, Travis Tedford, Jordan Warkol, Kevin Jamal Woods, and Elmer in The Little Rascals (1994) (Universal Pictures) — Ross Bagley, Bug Hall, Brittany Ashton Holmes, Zachary Mabry, Courtland Mead, Petey, Travis Tedford, Jordan Warkol, Kevin Jamal Woods, and Elmer in 'The Little Rascals' (Universal Pictures)

Nearly 29 years have passed since the beloved cast members of 'The Little Rascals' made their big-screen debut. While some of them have continued their careers in acting, others chose different paths or retired from the industry. Let's take a look at what some of the favorite cast members are up to now.

Bug Hall as 'Alfalfa' Switzer

(Universal Pictures) (@bug_hall/Instagram) — Brandon "Bug" Hall is an American actor. He is best known for his childhood roles as Alfalfa Switzer in 'The Little Rascals' (Universal Pictures, @bug_hall/Instagram)

Alfalfa portrayed by Bug Hall gained him significant recognition in the 1990s through roles in 'Hercules' and 'Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.' However, in 2020, the actor faced a setback in his ongoing battle with substance abuse, resulting in his arrest in Texas for the misuse of air duster. Fast-forward to 2023, Bug Hall and his wife, Jill, have chosen a simpler life and shared in a 2021 YouTube video where they explained their decision to embrace a life of modesty, having taken a vow of poverty. Presently, they reside in the Midwest alongside their daughters.

Travis Tedford as 'Spanky' McFarland

(Universal Pictures) (TravisTedford /LinkedIn) — Travis William Tedford is an American former actor (Universal Pictures, TravisTedford /LinkedIn)

Actor Travis Tedford marked his cinematic debut with his role in 'The Little Rascals,' as Spanky McFarland, a central figure in the film. After that, he made only sporadic appearances in a handful of films, lending his voice to a character in Pixar's early hit, 'A Bug's Life,' and appearing in the 2010 horror film, 'The Final'. Travis Tedford has largely maintained a low profile ever since, with his public engagements primarily limited to a Reddit Ask Me Anything session in 2012, where he engaged with fans and fielded their questions about the beloved film. Notably, his LinkedIn profile indicates that he has an associate's degree from Trinity Valley Community College in 2008. For nearly 14 years, he has been employed by a Texas-based credit union.

Kevin Jamal Woods as 'Stymie'

Kevin Jamal Woods played the role of Stymie, the club vice president, Spanky's second in command. (Universal Pictures, kevinjamalwoods/Facebook)

Kevin Jamal Woods had already established himself in the world of acting prior to his role in 'The Little Rascals.' In 1993, he made his on-screen debut in Clint Eastwood's film 'A Perfect World' before taking on the character of Stymie, the vice-president of the 'He-Man Women Haters Club' in the iconic film. Following his stint in 'The Little Rascals', his most notable role was a recurring 14-episode appearance as Frank on the 1990s sitcom 'Blossom', alongside Mayim Bialik. Subsequently, Kevin Jamal Woods pursued higher education and attended Bethune-Cookman University. Presently, he is employed at a marketing firm located in Texas. While he refers to himself as a 'former actor', he occasionally shares his musical creations on his YouTube channel, using the stage name Darth niveK.

Britanny Ashton Holmes as Darla

Britanny Ashton was only five years old at the time of the film (Universal Pictures, @22VISION/Youtube)

Following her portrayal of Darla in 'The Little Rascals', Britanny Ashton Holmes chose to keep a low profile in the film industry, effectively retiring from showbiz as early as 1996. During the 1990s, she made appearances in just five additional projects, among them being a role in Ellen DeGeneres' eponymous sitcom and a minor part in 'Humanoids From the Deep’. In a special tribute to the Rascals' 20th anniversary, Britanny Ashton Holmes joined her fellow cast members in a reunion video produced by 22 Vision. Beyond this reunion, she has largely remained outside the glare of the public eye, with E! Online reporting that as of 2020, Holmes currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

Ross Bagley as 'Buckwheat'

Ross Elliot Bagley is an American former actor and comedian who played Buckwheat in The Little Rascals (Universal Pictures, @realdealrossyb/Instagram)

Ross Bagley, renowned for his portrayal of Buckwheat in ‘The Little Rascals’, gained significant recognition for his role as Nicky Banks in the popular TV series 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' He also had the opportunity to share the screen with Will Smith once more, this time playing his son in the blockbuster film 'Independence Day'. Following his early career as a child actor, Ross Bagley took an extended hiatus from the entertainment industry, lasting nearly 11 years. He returned to the limelight in 2015 with appearances in the horror movies 'Gnome Alone' and 'Dead Ringer'. Subsequently, he maintained a lower profile until the eagerly anticipated 2020 HBO Max 'Fresh Prince' reunion special. Today, Ross Bagley resides in Los Angeles. He is active as a DJ and also works as a realtor, displaying a multifaceted approach to his professional life.

Blake McIver Ewing as Waldo Johnston III

Blake McIver Ewing played the role of Waldo in the 1994 feature film 'The Little Rascals' (Universal Pictures, @blakemciver/Instagram)

Blake McIver Ewing, known for his role as Waldo Johnston III in 'The Little Rascals,' has led a multifaceted career. Apart from acting, he has ventured into modeling, singing, and piano playing. He notably appeared in 'Full House' and 'Hey Arnold'. During the 2010s, his focus shifted to music, resulting in the release of his debut album, 'The Time Manipulator', in 2014. In 2020, Blake Ewing made a return to his role as Derek in the Netflix sequel series 'Fuller House'. However, his current focus has shifted towards directing live theater productions. Furthermore, he has partnered with confidence coach Alison Robertson to host a podcast titled 'The Con Artist'.

Courtland Mead as 'Uh-Huh'

Courtland Robert Mead is an American former actor, noted for his performances as a child actor during the 1990s (Universal Pictures, @courtland_mead/Instagram)

Courtland Mead portrayed a unique character in 'The Little Rascals', known for responding with just "uh-huhs" — which makes all the kids call him 'Uh-Huh' too. He enjoyed a substantial presence on screen during the 1990s, including a notable portrayal of Danny Torrance in a TV adaptation of Stephen King's 'The Shining'. During the early 2000s, Courtland Mead primarily focused on voice-over work before taking a break from acting following the 2010 film 'Mean Parents Suck'. In the years that followed, he maintained a low profile, but there was a significant milestone in his life as he tied the knot on October 23, 2021. In the present, Courtland Mead has transitioned into a different career path, working as a full-time account manager at Shoreline Supply Company, LLC.

Blake Jeremy Collins as The Woim

Not much is known about Blake Jeremy Collins but he became friends with Bug Hall in the making of the film
(Universal Pictures, @blake_collins_dude/Instagram)

Blake Collins marked his on-screen debut as 'The Woim', Butch's trusty sidekick. He made appearances in just five more projects, including a role in '7th Heaven', similar to several of his fellow Rascals. Additionally, he portrayed Freckles in the direct-to-video movie 'Richie Rich's Christmas Wish' before bidding farewell to acting in 1999. In the years that followed, Blake Collins continued his involvement in the entertainment industry, but primarily behind the scenes. He embarked on a career as a second assistant camera operator, contributing to various projects such as 'Shameless', 'Justice League', 'Ad Astra', 'The Suicide Squad', 'Army of the Dead', and the CW's 'All American.'

Raven-Symoné as Stymie's girlfriend

Raven-Symoné was Stymie's girlfriend in the film (Universal Pictures, @ravensymone/Instagram)

Raven-Symoné, widely recognized for her role in 'That's So Raven', is the often overlooked as a member of 'The Little Rascals' cast. She returned to showbiz to portray Raven Baxter in the Disney series 'Raven's Home'. In 2013, she publicly came out, and in June 2020, she celebrated her marriage to Miranda Maday. Furthermore, Raven-Symoné expanded her career by co-hosting the long-running talk show 'The Talk' from 2016 to 2017. In 2021, she took on the role of hosting the Daytime Emmy Awards for Children's and Animation.

Zachary Mabry as 'Porky'

Zachary Mabry is the person who portrayed Porky in the 1994 American comedy movie, 'The Little Rascals' (Universal Pictures, @zacmabry/Instagram)

Zachary Mabry, who portrayed Porky, one of the younger members of Spanky's club, has had a diverse array of experiences since his acting career as his LinkedIn profile suggests. He spent four years in various roles at American Airlines. Presently, he holds the position of contributing editor at The Catholic Herald, a prestigious religious publication based in London, with a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1888. Until 2021, Zachary Mabry co-hosted The Roman Circus Podcast, where he engaged in discussions about "Catholic culture, tradition, and history." In 2015, he established the accounting firm ZacMabry Advisory, and as of 2023, he continues to work as a certified public accountant (CPA).

Petey the Dog

Petey in 'The Little Rascals' (1994) (Universal Pictures)

In the 1994 feature film adaptation of The Little Rascals, Pete was portrayed as an American Bulldog. This character drew inspiration from a beloved figure in Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' comedies, which later became known as 'The Little Rascals', during the 1930s. In the original series, he was affectionately referred to as "Pete the dog with the ring around his eye," or simply "Petey." Remarkably, Petey's legacy endured, and he lived a long life, passing away due to old age on January 28, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. At the time of his passing, he was an impressive 16 years and 4 months old.