Leo Bernard Gorcey ( June 3 , 1917 â `` June 2 , 1969 ) was an American actor . He is most famous for appearing the Dead End Kids series . Leo Bernard Gorcey ( June 3 , 1917 â `` June 2 , 1969 ) was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids , The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys .