 As a member of the gang, Stymie brought laughter and joy to viewers through his hilarious antics and comedic timing. His natural talent for comedy made him one of the most memorable characters in the series. Stymie Beards' portrayal of an African American child during a time of racial segregation was groundbreaking. He broke down barriers and became an inspiration for many young actors who followed in his footsteps. Stymie Beards' life took a terrible turn just two days after his 56th birthday. On January 3, 1981, he suffered head injuries from a fall down a flight of stairs, which unfortunately led to a stroke. As if that wasn't enough, Stymie also developed pneumonia during this time. Tragically, his health deteriorated rapidly, and he passed away on January 8, 1981.