Mickey Daniels

Richard Daniels Jr. (October 11, 1914 – August 20, 1970) professionally Mickey Daniels, was an American actor. Signed by Hal Roach in 1921, he was, along with Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Mary Kornman, and Ernie Morrison, a regular in the popular Our Gang comedies during the silent era of the series, between 1922 and 1926.[1]

Mickey Daniels
Mickey Daniels in Dogs of War (1923)
Born
Richard Daniels, Jr.

(1914-10-11)October 11, 1914
Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
DiedAugust 20, 1970(1970-08-20) (aged 55)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
OccupationActor
Years active1921–1940
Parent(s)Richard Daniels
Hannah Daniels

Early life and career

Daniels was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the son of Welsh-born American actor Richard Daniels and his wife Hannah.[2] In 1921, Daniels was discovered by a talent scout while performing at an amateur night at the Rialto Theatre in Rock Springs. Shortly thereafter, he was signed by Hal Roach to appear in the Our Gang film series.[3]

The red-haired, freckle-faced Daniels was one of the lead characters in the Our Gang film shorts from 1922 to 1926. In the earlier shorts, he was often a rival (often with Davis) for Mary Kornman's attentions. He first appeared in the first Our Gang short Our Gang in 1922 when he was 8 years old. He was known for his big, distinctive laugh and a gift for physical comedy and timing. Daniels stayed with the series for four years until he left the series at the age of 12 in 1926. His last film was the 1926 short Thundering Fleas.[4]

After Our Gang, Daniels continued his career in vaudeville and played bit parts in feature films and comedy shorts.[5] From 1930 to 1932, Daniels and former Our Gang co-star Mary Kornman appeared in the film series The Boy Friends for M-G-M. He continued public appearances with co-star Mary Kornman for feature film roles in the 1940s.[6]

Post acting career

After World War II, Daniels quit the movie industry and began working in construction engineering in the United States and overseas.[7] In 1967, he began working as a taxi driver for Red Top Taxi in San Diego. He remained at that job until his death.[7][8]

Death

Daniels became a chronic alcoholic and was found dead on August 20, 1970, in a transient hotel in San Diego. His death was attributed to cirrhosis.[3][8] Daniels is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale in Glendale, California.[9]

Partial filmography
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References
  1. "Mary Ann Jackson, The Little Rascals, Our Gang". myvintagephotos.com. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  2. Monush, Barry, ed. (2003). Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965, Volume 1. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 572. ISBN 1-557-83551-9.
  3. McCullers, Cyndi; Sweetwater County Historical Museum (2009). Sweetwater County. Arcadia Publishing. p. 111. ISBN 0-738-56923-2.
  4. Rowan, Terry (March 28, 2017). The Kings & Queens of Hollywood Comedy. Terry Rowan. p. 285. ISBN 9781365853647.
  5. "Historical survey of Our Gang / The Little Rascal". cyranos.ch. cyranos.ch. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  6. "BOY FRIENDS Mary Kornman BETTY BOLEN Original HAL ROACH Photo". backlotmovie.com. 2017 Backlot Movie Memorabilia, Inc. 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  7. D'Agostino, Annette M. (2004). The Harold Lloyd Encyclopedia. McFarland. p. 72. ISBN 0-786-41514-2.
  8. Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang. Crown. p. 248. ISBN 0-517-58325-9.
  9. A.J. (April 22, 2000). "Mickey Daniels, Jr". Find A Grave. Copyright © 2020 Find A Grave. Retrieved February 11, 2020.CS1 maint: date and year (link)

Further reading
  • Holmstrom, John. The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995, Norwich, Michael Russell, 1996, p. 64.
  • Dye, David. Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1988, pp. 48-49.
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