Betsy Gay
Betsy Gay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Elizabeth Ann Gunst February 2, 1929 Waterford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | June 13, 2025 (aged 96) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1935–1970s |
| Spouse |
Thomas Cashen
(m. 1954; died 2005) |
| Children | 5 |
Betsy Gay (February 2, 1929 – June 13, 2025) was an American actress and country singer and yodeller.[1]
Gay was best known as a child star in the 1930s and 1940s appearing in the Hal Roach short film series Our Gang and made appearances in around 40 feature films.[2]
Early life
Gay was born as Elizabeth Ann Gunst in Waterford, Connecticut, to Charles and Helen Gay, who were also entertainers. They ran a music store and taught singing, piano, banjo, and violin, guitar, bass, steel guitar and accordion.
Career
Gay appeared in films, on television, and in radio shows. Her film career mostly consisted of bit-part roles during the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1937), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), and Mystery Plane (1939).[3] Her final role was in 1943.
Throughout her singing career, she worked alongside the likes of Dale Evans, Stuart Hamblen, and Tex Williams. She won a yodelling competition in California two years in a row in the mid-1940s. She had several music recordings with labels such as Capitol Records and Decca Records.[4]
Personal life and death
Gay was married to Thomas Cashen from 1954 until his death in 2005.[5] The couple had five children. She died on June 13, 2025, at the age of 96.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | The Pinch Singer (short) | Broadway number performer |
| Arbor Day | Dancing girl | |
| 1937 | When You're in Love | Performing arts student |
| Nothing Sacred | Group singing role | |
| It Happened in Hollywood | Sis | |
| Our Gang Follies of 1938 (short) | Blonde girl fan of Alfalfa | |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Tom Sawyer | Susie Harper[7] |
| Came the Brawn (short) | Effie | |
| 1939 | Mystery Plane | Betty Lou as a young girl |
| The Zero Hour | Orphan | |
| At the Circus | Circus midget | |
| 1941 | Bachelor Daddy | Girl at the movie |
| 1942 | How Spry I Am | Young girl |
| 1943 | What's Buzzin', Cousin? | Saree |
References
- ^ "Los Angeles After Dark". The Southwest Wave. February 21, 1946. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Hillbilly Music".
- ^ "Betsy Gay, Original 'Little Rascal', Musician". SCV TV. June 3, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Betsy Gay". Hillbilly Music. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ "Untitled". The Tidings. February 21, 1946. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ^ Levy, Giana (June 14, 2025). "Betsy Gay, 'Little Rascals' Actress, Dies at 96". Variety. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
- ^ Gevinson, Alan (1997). Within Our Gates Ethnicity in American Feature Films, 1911-1960. University of California Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0520209640. Retrieved January 30, 2023.