Actress Jean Darling, known for her role in the 1920s comedy "Our Gang," has died, the New York Times reported. One of the last surviving members of the films that would be later known as "The Little Rascals," Darling passed away in Rodgau, Germany on Friday at 93 years old.
Her friend Rene Riva, a Dutch singer and actor, confirmed her death, according to Deadline Hollywood. Riva directed Darling in a 2013 short silent film "The Butler's Tale," in the same style of the film she first starred in as a child actress.
In 1927, Darling was cast as one of the children in "Our Gang," a role she accepted at just four years old. Known for her blonde curly hair, Darling went on to appear in 46 silent films and six talkies for the series in a span of three years until 1929, then she moved on to other projects.
She played uncredited roles in 1933's "Only Yesterday" and "Babes in Toyland," according to IMDB. She also played a young Jane Eyre in the 1934 adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel before being cast as Carrie Pipperidge in the original Broadway production of "Carousel." After her Broadway stint, Darling appeared on TV and radio shows in the 1950s.
She toured the world with her magician husband, Reuben Bowen, known as Kajar the Magician, after the couple married in 1954. She also became a published author in the 1970s and wrote mysteries. Bowen passed away in 1980, and the couple shared one child together, a son named Roy.
Darling is survived by her son and two grandsons.
