Later Years and Death
After leaving the series, Hoskins received small roles in feature films and had a vaudeville act with his sister Jannie Hoskins, who was also a member of the gang. After serving in World War II, Hoskins started to drift away from performing and retired his stage name. In a 1950s televised reunion of the Our Gang cast, Hoskins explained why he abandoned acting: "I preferred a job that allowed me to eat regular." In 1945, Hollywood Columnist Louella Parsons spoke out twice on behalf of Al and other actors who served in WWII but who did not get back their careers: "No one at Fort Roach knew the drama back of Sergt. Allen Hoskins appearance there on his last day in the Air Corps. As a boy, twenty years ago Sergeant Hoskins was Farina, in the Hal Roach Comedies. Hoskins saw action in five major Pacifica battles and received a presidential citation. He expects to write and produce for the stage and has a musical he wrote in Australia."
Louella Parsons 10-30-45 Lowell Sun, Lowell Mass.
"Want to say it again and again and keep on saying it, our boys who gave up studio jobs to go into the service and who have done so much for Hollywood and for their country must get their jobs back. That's one thing Hollywood must not have on its conscience. I mean the bitterness and heartache of these kids. Bob McGowan, who directed "Farina" as a child in Our Gang Comedies, wrote me: 'Thank you for the plug for "Farina", now Sgt. Allen Hoskins. He was a pretty blue little black boy when he failed to get his old job back...we can't have that and neither can any great industry in our country...'"
Hoskins eventually had a successful career helping disabled young people with drug problems and mental illnesses at Los Angeles area medical centers.
Read more about this topic: Allen Hoskins
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