Joe Cobb

“Children in my day were either cornfed or milk-fed. I was both.” –Joe Cobb

Joseph “Joe” Frank Cobb was among the many children cast in the early iteration of Our Gang, spending his tenure in the hit comedies from 1922 to 1929. He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on November 7, 1916, to James Cobb and Florence “Flossie” Jewel McComas Cobb.

While vacationing with his father in Los Angeles, California, he found himself beginning his time in the film industry in A Tough Winter (1923), working with the likes of Snub Pollard and James Finlayson. The film was directed by Charley Chase, supervising director for Our Gang, leading Cobb to be cast in the series. He initiated his participation in the series in shorts such as The Champeen (1923), The Big Show (1923), and A Pleasant Journey (1923). He also worked in the final silent installment of the series, Saturday’s Lesson (1929), and its first sound endeavor, Small Talk (1929).

His second-to-last appearance in the series would be with his replacement, Norman “Chubby” Chaney. This was in the short Boxing Gloves (1929), a remake of The Champeen. Cobb’s final appearance in the series was in Lazy Days (1929). Altogether, he appeared in 86 episodes across seven years, not including cameo appearances in Fish Hooky (1933), Pay as You Exit (1936), and Reunion in Rhythm (1937).

In the 1940s, his acting career came to a close after carrying out various minor film roles. Cobb made very few further film appearances. His final screen appearance was in Tuxedo Junction (1941) in an uncredited role.

He worked as an assembler for North American Aviation in Downey, California, for several decades, retiring in 1981. During those years, he was also a master of ceremonies for Our Gang publicity tours and made appearances for the Sons of the Desert Laurel and Hardy fan society. He passed away in a convalescent home on May 21, 2002, in Santa Ana, California, at age 85. Cobb was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park—Glendale.

In the 1930s, Cobb and his family resided at 836 S. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, California. At this point, he was an established child actor. His mother had just passed away in 1929. Here, he resided with his father, siblings Loretta and Lucile, as well as his great aunt and uncle, Arvila and Charles Mechler. His father worked as an attorney. The home stands today.

In the 1940s, Cobb lived at 2175 Broadview Terrace, Los Angeles, California, per his draft card, which also listed him as unemployed. This home stands.

In the same decade, he resided with his uncle and aunt, George and Mattie Cato, at 4328 W. Normandy Ave., Dallas, Texas, as well as with lodger Joe Goldstein. In 1950, he lived at 4353 S. Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles, California, while working as an assembler. Both of these homes have since been razed.

Today, Cobb’s grave marker cites him as a member of Our Gang.