Sidney Kibrick, the beloved child actor from Our Gane, has died at age 97, his family confirms. He was the last surviving cast member of the 1930s film shorts.
Sidney Kibrick became “Woim” with an entire nation as he starred in the black-and-white film shorts of the 1930s. Sadly, he has now passed away at age 97. His daughter, Jane confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter that Sidney had died on January 3 in a hospital in Northridge, California.
Born in Minneapolis in 1928, Sidney Kibrick’s family moved to Los Angeles when he was a young child. He previously explained he was discovered after being at the movies in California.
The Little Rascals actor starred in several comedy short films, originally titled Our Gang, created by Hal Roach. It followed a number of children from the working-class neighborhoods of Los Angeles, with Kibricks’ character being named “Woim,” which was the Brooklyn way of saying “worm.”
The franchise got its start in 1922, featuring more than 41 child actors as regular cast members. Speaking
‘Our Gang’ star Sidney Kibrick dies at 97
Kibrick was just five years old when he began his career as a member of the Little Rascals. He appeared in two dozen films between 1935 and 1939. Speaking with Boomer Magazine in 2023, Sidney revealed he was paid $750 a week.
“Sidney Kibrick also starred in other films, such as the 1938 film Just Around the Corner with Shirley Temple, and Jesse James, starring Tyrone Power, in 1939.
While he was only a child, Sidney Kibrick revealed that they worked countless hours each day, which was incredibly hard work.
“It was a grind making those shorts. We’d have two hours of schooling in the morning and then work anywhere from six to 16 hours until we finished,” he said. “There was a lot of work, no question about it, but our director Gordon Douglas was a terrific guy, and he was really able to get a lot out of each kid.”
When he was 15 and had already been working 10 years in the business, Sidney Kibrick decided to leave fame behind. He struggled to convince his parents to let him quit the business.
Left show business at 15
“My parents wanted me to continue, but finally my mother went along with my wishes,” he said.
In 1943, Kibrick made his last role starring in the movie Keep ‘Em Slugging. His time on Our Gang was with him his whole life, and in 1981, he organized a reunion.
Even though he left the spotlight, he recevied fan mail up until his death.
Rest in peace, Sidney Kibrick. Please share this article to honor the late child star.