Harry Spear

Harry Spear
Harry Spear
	Harry Spear in The Old Wallop (1927)
Born	Harry Sherman Bonner; December 16, 1921; Los Angeles, California
Died	September 22, 2006 (aged 84); San Diego, California
Other names	Ginger
Occupation	Child actor
Years active	1927–1987
Spouse	Thelma Spear (?-2006)

Harry Sherman Bonner (December 16, 1921 – September 22, 2006),^[1] known as Harry Spear was an American child actor, notable for appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series from 1927 to 1929. He was a native of Los Angeles, California.

Our Gang

Before joining the wildly popular Our Gang series, Spear made appearances in several Buck Jones westerns. He was mainly known as Ginger before appearing in Our Gang owing to his ginger hair.

Spear made his first appearance in the Our Gang series at the age of five in the film Chicken Feed. He was a popular member of the gang during the late silent era (1927–1929), often donning an oversized bowler hat. At the dawn of the sound era, newcomer Jackie Cooper took over the role as the leader/tough guy in the gang, replacing Spear. Spear's final Our Gang film would be Bouncing Babies.^[2] After departing the series, Spear briefly entered vaudeville, entertaining audiences with a dancing and monologue routine.^[2] By December 1987, he had left the entertainment industry and severed ties with his former Our Gang alumni.

Lost Rascal

Spear's whereabouts after the 1940s remained a mystery for over half a century. However, several diligent Our Gang fans attempted to track down Spear in 1995. Residing in San Diego, California at the time, Spear (who went by his legal name of Harry Bonner) continually denied being the "Harry Spear" of Our Gang fame for unknown reasons, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.^[3]^{[unreliable source?]} From U.S. Naval records, it was found that Harry Spear served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War.

Death

Spear died of kidney cancer on September 22, 2006, in San Diego, California. He was 84 years of age.

Personal life

Spear was managed by his grandmother Bertha Spear, who was also his legal guardian.^[2] Some name confusion existed for a while because of a different actor named Harry Spear, who appeared in some bit roles in several movies in the 1960s.

Filmography

1954: Tickle Tickle Torture as Member of the Jury
1962: The Music Man as Town person

References

^ Harry S. Bonner, Social Security Death Index, SSN 557-26-4992
^ ^a ^b ^c Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 253–254. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9
^ The Strange Tale of Harry Spear

External links

Preceded by Elmer "Scooter" Lowry	*Our Gang* 1927–1929	Succeeded by Jackie Cooper

[1] Harry S. Bonner, Social Security Death Index, SSN 557-26-4992

[maltin-2] Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 253–254. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9

[3] The Strange Tale of Harry Spear

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v t e Our Gang / The Little Rascals
Filmography Personnel
Films	Our Gang (1922) When the Wind Blows (1930) Hi'-Neighbor! (1934) For Pete's Sake! (1934) The First Round-Up (1934) Honky Donkey (1934) Mike Fright (1934) Washee Ironee (1934) Mama's Little Pirate (1934) Anniversary Trouble (1935) Beginner's Luck (1935) Teacher's Beau (1935) Sprucin' Up (1935) Little Papa (1935) Little Sinner (1935) Our Gang Follies of 1936 (1935) The Lucky Corner (1936) Second Childhood (1936) General Spanky (1936) Feed 'em and Weep (1938) The Little Rascals (1994) The Little Rascals Save the Day (2014)
Television	The Little Rascals Christmas Special (1979) The Little Rascals (1982–1984)
Category