Norman Chaney, Acting - KorPlix:Korean Person Archives

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Norman Chaney
Acting

Norman Chaney
Known For
Acting
Birthday
1914-11-01,Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Gender
Male
Biography
He played Chubby in 18 "Our Gang" comedies from 1929 to 1931. The resident plus-size member of "The Little Rascals" at the dawn of the talkie era, he relied on an affable personality, a flair for funny dialogue, and a priceless frown of frustration that seemed to swallow up his whole moon face. He was taught the expression by the master of the "slow burn" himself, comedian Edgar Kennedy. Chubby's meatiest moments are in the classic short "Love Business" (1931), in which he competed with Jackie Cooper for the affections of their teacher, Miss Crabtree. (Bringing her flowers and candy, he coyly proposes, "Don't call me Norman, call me 'Chubsy-Ubsy'"). Chaney's other notable "Our Gang" appearances include "Boxing Gloves" (1929), "Shivering Shakespeare" (1930), "Teacher's Pet" (1930), "School's Out" (1930), "Helping Grandma" (1931), "Bargain Day" (1931), and "Fly My Kite" (1931). Norman Myers Chaney was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He gained his spot in "Our Gang" in a nationwide talent contest to replace original "fat kid" Joe Cobb, though it appears his age was falsified so he'd stand a better chance of winning. Cobb later said of his successor, "He adapted gracefully, and we all liked him, he was a nice fellow". Roughly 14 at the time ("retirement" age by child star standards), the roly-poly youth's stay with the series was destined to be brief but he still made a memorable impression on generations of "Rascals" fans. After leaving the Gang Chaney returned to Baltimore and attended public school. He continued to gain weight and eventually topped 300 pounds. In 1935 he underwent surgery for a glandular ailment at Johns Hopkins Hospital; his weight dropped to 136 pounds and he remained in poor health until his death the following May. Chaney was the first former "Our Gang" star to die.

Filmography

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The Ghosts
1930-04-05

Our Gang - Comedy Festival

0

Our Gang - Comedy Festival
2001-05-15

6

Boxing Gloves
1929-09-09

4.8

Lazy Days
1929-08-24

5.7

Railroadin'
1929-06-15

6.1

Pups Is Pups
1930-08-30

Moan & Groan, Inc.

5.5

Moan & Groan, Inc.
1929-12-07

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2

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The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2
2021-08-03

Bouncing Babies

6.1

Bouncing Babies
1929-10-11

Shivering Shakespeare

5.7

Shivering Shakespeare
1930-01-25

5.2

Bear Shooters
1930-05-16

The First Seven Years

5.2

The First Seven Years
1930-03-01

7

Fly My Kite
1931-05-30

Helping Grandma

6.8

Helping Grandma
1931-01-03

7

Little Daddy
1931-03-28

6.8

School's Out
1930-11-21

5.4

A Tough Winter
1930-06-21

7.2

Teacher's Pet
1930-10-11

6.9

Love Business
1931-02-14

The Stolen Jools

5.6

The Stolen Jools
1931-04-04

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1

0

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1
2021-06-01

6

Bargain Day
1931-05-01

When the Wind Blows

6.1

When the Wind Blows
1930-04-05

The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)

0

The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)
1931-07-01