Background
Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the first son of Gladys C. Shanks and George Frederick Switzer.
Switzer was born in Paris, Illinois, the first son of Gladys C. Shanks and George Frederick Switzer.
He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, one of the series" most popular and best-remembered characters. The Switzers took a trip to California in 1934 to visit with family members. While sightseeing they eventually wound up at Hal Roach Studios.
Following a public tour of the facility, 8-year-old Harold and 6-year-old Carl entered into the Hal Roach Studio"s public cafeteria, the Café, and began an impromptu performance.
Producer Hal Roach was present at the commissary that day and was impressed by the performance. He signed both Switzers to appear in Harold was given two nicknames, "Slim" and "Deadpan," and Carl was dubbed "Alfalfa."
The Switzer brothers first appeared in the 1935 short, Beginner"s Luck.
By the end of the year, Carl was one of the main characters in the series, while Harold had more or less been relegated to the role of a background player. Both Carl and Harold outgrew the series by 1940, with Slim"s last appearance in The New Pupil.
Foreign several years, he operated a Speed Queen Company franchise, installing and servicing washers and dryers.
In 1967, after killing a customer over a dispute, Switzer drove himself to a remote area near Glendale, California and committed suicide. He was 42.