In 1984 , 92-year-old Roach was presented with an honorary Academy Award . Former '' Our Gang '' members Jackie Cooper and George " Spanky " McFarland made the presentation to a flattered Roach , with McFarland thanking the producer for hiring him 53 years prior . An additional Our Gang member , Ernie Morrison , was amongst the crowd and started the standing ovation for Hal Roach . Cooper 's gratitude towards Roach was especially notable . Years earlier Cooper had been the youngest Academy Award nominee ever for his performance in Skippy when he had been under contract with Roach . Although Paramount had paid Roach $ 25,000 for Cooper 's services in that film , Roach paid Cooper only his standard salary of $ 50 per week '' . '' On 21 January 1992 , Roach was a guest on '' The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson '' , just days after his 100th birthday , where he recounted experiences with such stars as Stan Laurel and Jean Harlow ; he even did a brief , energetic demonstration of a hula dance . In February 1992 , Roach travelled to Berlin to receive the honorary award of the '' Berlinale Kamera '' for Lifetime Achievement at the 42nd Berlin International Film Festival
42nd Berlin International Film Festival
42nd Berlin International Film Festival
Hal Roach