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 |
Elizabeth Ann Cashen (née Gunst; February 2, 1929 – June 13, 2025), known professionally as Betsy Gay, 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
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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.