Richard Daniels Jr. (October 11, 1914 – August 20, 1970) professionally Mickey Daniels, was an American actor. Signed by Hal Roach in 1921, he was, along with Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Mary Kornman, and Ernie Morrison, a regular in the popular Our Gang comedies during the silent era of the series, between 1922 and 1926.
Early life and career
Daniels was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the son of Welsh-born American actor Richard Daniels and his wife Hannah. In 1921, Daniels was discovered by a talent scout while performing at an amateur night at the Rialto Theatre in Rock Springs. Shortly thereafter, he was signed by Hal Roach to appear in the Our Gang film series.
The red-haired, freckle-faced Daniels was one of the lead characters in the Our Gang film shorts from 1922 to 1926. In the earlier shorts, he was often a rival (often with Davis) for Mary Kornman’s attentions. He first appeared in the first Our Gang short Our Gang in 1922 when he was 8 years old. He was known for his big, distinctive laugh and a gift for physical comedy and timing. Daniels stayed with the series for four years until he left the series at the age of 12 in 1926. His last film was the 1926 short Thundering Fleas.
After Our Gang, Daniels continued his career in vaudeville and played bit parts in feature films and comedy shorts. From 1930 to 1932, Daniels and former Our Gang co-star Mary Kornman appeared in the film series The Boy Friends for Hal Roach. He continued public appearances with co-star Mary Kornman for feature film roles in the 1940s.
Post acting career
After World War II, Daniels quit the movie industry and began working in construction engineering in the United States and overseas. In 1967, he began working as a taxi driver for Red Top Taxi in San Diego. He remained at that job until his death.
Death
Daniels became a chronic alcoholic and was found dead on August 20, 1970, in a transient hotel in San Diego. His death was attributed to cirrhosis. Daniels is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale in Glendale, California.
Partial filmography
The Little Minister (1922) – Micah Dow
My Wild Irish Rose (1922) – Moya’s little brother
One Terrible Day (1922, Short) – Micke
Our Gang (1922, Short) – Mickey
Young Sherlocks (1922, Short) – JJJ Member (uncredited)
Dr. Jack (1922) – Boy Patient (uncredited)
Saturday Morning (1922, Short) – Mickey
A Quiet Street (1922, Short) – Mickey
The Champeen (1923, Short) – Mickey
The Flame of Life (1923) (uncredited)
The Cobbler (1923, Short) – Mickey
The Big Show (1923, Short) – Mickey
The Pilgrim (1923) – Sniffling Kid in Church (uncredited)
A Pleasant Journey (1923, Short) – Mickey
Safety Last! (1923) – Newsboy with Freckles (uncredited)
Boys to Board (1923, Short) – Mickey
Giants vs. Yanks (1923, Short) – Mickey
Back Stage (1923, Short) – Mickey
Dogs of War! (1923, Short) – Mickey
Lodge Night (1923, Short) – Michael ‘Mickey’ Daniels
July Days (1923, Short) – Mickey
No Noise (1923, Short) – Mickey
Stage Fright (1923, Short) – Mickey
Derby Day (1923, Short) – Mickey
Sunday Calm (1923, Short) – Mickey McTeeter
Tire Trouble (1924, Short) – Mickie
Big Business (1924, Short) – Michael ‘Mickie’
The Buccaneers (1924, Short) – Mickey
Seein’ Things (1924, Short) – Mickey
Girl Shy (1924) – Newsboy (uncredited)
Commencement Day (1924, Short) – Mickey
Cradle Robbers (1924, Short) – Mickey
Jubilo, Jr. (1924, Short) – Young Jubilo
It’s a Bear (1924, Short) – Mickey
High Society (1924, Short) – Mickey Kelly
The Sun Down Limited (1924, Short) – Mickey
Battling Orioles (1924) – Our Gang Member (uncredited)
Every Man for Himself (1924, Short) – Mickey
Fast Company (1924, Short) – Mickey
The Mysterious Mystery! (1924, Short) – Mickey
The Big Town (1925, Short) – Mickey
Circus Fever (1925, Short) – Mickey
Dogs Days (1925, Short) – Mickey
The Love Bug (1925, Short) – Mickey
Shootin’ Injuns (1925, Short) – Mickey
Ask Grandma (1925, Short) – Mickey / Martha as a child
Official Officers (1925, Short) – Mickey
Boys Will Be Joys (1925, Short) – Mickey
Mary, Queen of Tots (1925, Short) – Mickey / Knight in Dream Sequence
Your Own Back Yard (1925, Short) – Mickey
Better Movies (1925, Short) – Mickey
One Wild Ride (1925, Short) – Mickey
Good Cheer (1926, Short) – Mickey
Buried Treasure (1926, Short) – Mickey
Monkey Business (1926, Short) – Mickey
Baby Clothes (1926, Short) – Mickey
Uncle Tom’s Uncle (1926, Short) – Mickey / ‘Simon Legree’
Thundering Fleas (1926, Short) – Mickey
The Dummy (1929) – Job Applicant (uncredited)
Fish Hooky (1933, Short) – Mickey Daniels
The Constant Woman (1933) – Soda Jerk (uncredited)
This Day and Age (1933) – Mosher
This Side of Heaven (1934) – Stinky Bliss (uncredited)
It Happened One Night (1934) – Vendor on Bus (uncredited)
Vanessa: Her Love Story (1935) – Harries Servant (uncredited)
Roaring Roads (1935) – Mickey Daniels
Magnificent Obsession (1935) – Billy (uncredited)
Strike Me Pink (1936) – Student in Shoe Repair Shop (uncredited)
The Great Ziegfeld (1936) – Telegraph Boy (uncredited)
Early to Bed (1936) – Caddy (uncredited)
Three Men on a Horse (1936) – Delivery Boy (uncredited)
Pennies from Heaven (1936) – Hay Wagon Driver (uncredited)
Reunion in Rhythm (1937, Short) – Himself
Meet the Missus (1937) – Barber College Graduate (uncredited)
Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937) – Electrician (uncredited)
Young People (1940) – Man in audience (uncredited)
A Little Bit of Heaven (1940) – Postal Union Boy (uncredited)
Li’l Abner (1940) – Cicero Grunts
Miss Polly (1941) – Elmer, the Grocery Boy (final film role)
External Links
Actor Mickey Daniels – Wikipedia
