The original Buckwheat

[dchord568]

In the realm of acrane Our Gang info:

For decades now, filmographies have identified the first person to play the role of Buckwheat as Willie Mae Taylor (in The First Round-Up and Honky Donkey).

But according to the great Lord Heath's Hal Roach website, this is incorrect. The actress is in fact Willa Mae Walton. Ms. Taylor is an entirely different actress.

No date of death is given for Ms. Walton, so it's possible we can add to the list of still-living Our Gang players.

[mtw12055]

I've been speaking with Jim Jarvis, the gentleman who was contacted about Willie Mae, off and on. He was told about Willie Mae from a relative of hers. Through him, I've asked a few questions about Willie Mae, but we have yet to hear back.

As for the Walton/Taylor thing, I've heard at least one source call her "Willie Mae Walton Taylor." It's very possible that both names are right, with Taylor perhaps being a maiden name.

PS: Yes, she is still living.

[bigshotjones]

The actress playing Buckwheat was pretty certainly not born in 1932 as indicated on IMDB. There is a Willa Mae Taylor born 1928 in the census records that I suspect is the actress, and that Willa/Willie Mae Taylor and Willa Mae Walton are the same person, just possibly with a married name.