Richard "Mickey" Daniels, Jr. (October 11, 1914 - August 20, 1970) was a juvenile actor, the son of actor Richard Daniels and nephew of actress Bebe Daniels. Signed by Hal Roach in 1923, he was along with fat Joe Cobb, scruffy Jackie Condon, pretty Mary Kornman and smiling "Sunshine Sammy" (Ernie Morrison), a regular on the popular Our Gang comedies.
Records of his death did not surface until being researched 21 years after his body was found in a hotel . He died alone.
Son of actor Richard Daniels (I), nephew of actress Bebe Daniels.
Animated, freckle-faced Mickey was recommended to Hal Roach for the "Our Gang" series by still photographer Gene Kornman, a good friend of the family who was also the father of the Gang's original female member Mary Kornman.
The very first Hal Roach film in the series was shot in the spring of 1922 and released on November 5th. It was entitled simply "Our Gang" which told the story of widowed mother and store owner who was losing her customers due to the unethical methods of a nearby competitor. Mickey and the rest of the kids decide to stage a show for her with pet animals and its success leads to a resurgence of business once again. Sadly, no negatives or complete prints exist and is considered a lost film.
One of ten children, his actor father, Richard Daniels (I) occasionally appeared with Mickey in the "Our Gang" shorts. They also appeared together in several of Harold Lloyd's features. Mickey's brother, Leonard, worked in the transportation department for the Roach Studios for at least two decades.
Was paid $37.50 per week during his first six months on the Pathé Studio lot in 1922. Two years later he was making $175 per week.
Was divorced with a daughter at the time of his death. Found dead in a motel residence in San Diego where he was working as a taxi driver.
