When did Betsy Gay start her music career? 'The Little Rascals' star's career highlights explored as she dies at 96

Betsy Gay, who was famous for her child actress role in the Our Gang series, also known as The Little Rascals, passed away on June 13 at the age of 96.

The news was announced by Robert Satterfield on June 14 through the statement,

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"I am so sorry to report my friend Elizabeth Cashen passed away yesterday in Bakersfield, CA. Elizabeth, was better known as child actress and singer Betsy Gay (February 2, 1929-June 13, 2025)."

Betsy was born to Professor Charles and Helen Gay, who ran a music school. At the age of three, she started performing and was taught singing and instruments, including the piano, the bass, and the guitar, which shaped her music career.

When did Betsy Gay join The Little Rascals?

According to Hillbilly-Music, Betsy Gay joined The Little Rascals (originally called Our Gang Comedies) at the age of six, soon after her family moved to Hollywood.

Betsy was part of The Little Rascals for over four years, starting with the 1935 episode Arbor Day, where she sang and did a tap dance. She later played the girlfriend of Alfalfa, Effie.

When she was around 12, Betsy sang and yodeled in an Andy Clyde short film, marking the start of her Western music career.

As mentioned by Hillbilly-Music,

"Betsy appeared in over 40 feature movies until she was 13 years old. Betsy had some speaking parts and she also sang and yodeled in some of the movies."

Some of her other well-known works include Tom Sawyer, Mystery Plane, A Day At The Circus, What's Buzzin' Cousin, and I Married An Angel. She also worked with stars like Harpo Marx, Dale Evans, Marilyn Maxwell, Garry Moore, and Vivian Blaine.

Because of her talent and popularity, Betsy Gay was also invited to many radio shows like The Jimmy Wakely Show, The Don Ameche Show, and the Hank Penny Show, where she often sang and yodeled.

Alongside her other work, Betsy was also part of her family's radio show, the Gay Family, where she hosted and performed Western songs written by her mother.

When was Betsy Gay invited to Bob Wills's radio show?

Betsy Gay was invited to Bob Wills’ radio show when she was just fourteen years old. At the show, she sang yodel songs like Belle of the Old Barn Dance and Red Wing.

Because of her talent, Betsy was also chosen to sing and yodel at army bases during the war as part of the Hollywood Victory Committee Shows. Betsy Gay further won the California State Yodeling Championship twice, first at the age of sixteen at the Olympic Auditorium and again the next year while performing at the Redondo Beach Barn Dance.

Betsy started making records in 1946 with two songs written by her mother, including Belle of the Old Barn Dance and Slam My Door When You Go Out. Later, she performed with Benny Strong’s orchestra and sang at senior centers until her voice began to weaken.

Betsy's love for music lives on through her five children and sixteen grandchildren, all of whom love performing with instruments.

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