Matthew Beard Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California to Matthew Sr., and Johnnie. He father was the founder and pastor of Beloved Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles. At the age of 5 his parents signed him to a five-year contract to play a part in short movies.
After he left the series in 1935, he went on to get some minor roles in feature films such as Captain Blood, Jezebel and the Return of Frank James. By the time he finished high school he had retired from acting.
For most of his adult life he was in and out of jail due to drug and theft charges. Later he checked himself in a drug rehabilitation facility successfully ending his heroin use. He was able to get some small roles in feature films and on some television shows. He suffered a stroke in 1981, two days after his 56th birthday, he died 5 days later.
What you may not know about Matthew is that he was Stymie in the Our Gang short films. He wore a derby hat given to him by Stan Laurel, it was buried with him.
Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile
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