The actress, born Dorothy Jean LaVake, passed away in Rodgau, Germany, where she lived with her son Roy, on Friday (04Sep15).

Darling began working in the movie industry when she was six months old and become part of the Our Gang silent short film series aged four. She starred in more than 30 films in the series between 1927 and 1929 and left the show as sound was being introduced.

She also appeared in Laurel and Hardy's 1934 film Babes in Toyland, as a young Jane Eyre in a film adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel, and her last role was in 2013 short film The Butler's Tale.

Darling made her Broadway debut in 1942 in Count Me In, and originated the role of Carrie Pipperidge in hit musical Carousel in 1945. She reportedly achieved 850 consecutive performances in the popular stage production.

She also hosted her own TV show A Date With Jean Darling and, following her move to Dublin, Ireland in 1974, she wrote short stories and radio plays, and read children's tales on Irish TV and radio as the character Aunt Poppy.