Matthew 'Stymie' Beard was born on January 1, 1925 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Dogs Is Dogs (1931), Love Business (1931) and Free Wheeling (1932). He was married to Annie. He died on January 8, 1981 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Was buried with the trademark bowler that he always wore next to
him.
His trademark bowler was actually a gift from comedian Stan Laurel, which
accounts for its oversize.
Became a heroin addict in his early adult life. In the 1960s he got
himself clean, turned his life around and got back into show business.
Got his familiar nickname because frequent "Our Gang" director Robert F. McGowan
claimed that Beard always "stymied" [unintentionally frustrated] him on
every take.
Both he and his father, Matthew Sr., a minister in Los Angeles, were
born on New Year's Day.
[on his "Our Gang" characterization] We knew even then [the 1930s] that
"Stymie" was an insult to our race, but it was the Depression and I had
seven sisters and six brothers at home.