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{{Short description|American comedic actor (1906–1978)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Norris Goff
| image = Norris Goff The Bashful Bachelor.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Goff as Abner in ''[[The Bashful Bachelor]]'' (1942)
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1906|05|30}}
⚫
| birth_place = [[Cove, Arkansas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1978|06|07|1906|05|30}}
⚫
| death_place = [[Palm Springs, California]], U.S.
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1931–1954
⚫
}}

⚫
'''Norris Goff''' (May 30, 1906 – June 7, 1978) was an American comedian in [[radio programming|radio]] and [[film]] best known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy ''[[Lum and Abner]]''.
[[File:Lum and Abner with wives 1941.JPG|thumb|From left: Chester and Mrs. Lauck, Norris and Mrs. Goff in 1941.|236x236px]]
[[File:Lum and Abner with wives 1941.JPG|thumb|From left: Chester and Mrs. Lauck, Norris and Mrs. Goff in 1941.|236x236px]]
⚫
'''Norris Goff''' (May 30, 1906 – June 7, 1978) was an [[United States|American]] comedian in [[radio programming|radio]] and [[film]] best known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy ''[[Lum and Abner]]''.


==Biography==
Nicknamed "Tuffy," Goff was born in [[Cove, Arkansas]], but soon moved to [[Mena, Arkansas]] where he met his longtime friend and partner [[Chester Lauck]] (Lum) and graduating from [[Mena High School]] in 1924.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1269 |title="Tuffy" Goff (1906–1978) |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture |accessdate=December 27, 2012}}</ref> Despite their fame as backwoodsmen, both actors graduated from the [[University of Arkansas]], where Goff became a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] fraternity.
Nicknamed "Tuffy," Goff was born in [[Cove, Arkansas]], but soon moved to [[Mena, Arkansas]] where he met his longtime friend and partner [[Chester Lauck]] (Lum) and graduating from [[Mena High School]] in 1924.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=1269 |title='Tuffy' Goff (1906–1978) |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture |access-date=December 27, 2012}}</ref> Despite their fame as backwoodsmen, both actors graduated from the [[University of Arkansas]], where Goff became a member of the [[Sigma Chi]] fraternity.


Goff and his partner had experience as [[blackface]] entertainers, but had also worked up a hillbilly skit based on their own life experiences and friends. Performing on local radio, they soon landed their own network series in 1931. In addition to playing the role of the likable but naive, checker-playing Abner (who worked with Lum at the "Jot 'Em down Store" in fictitious Pine Ridge), Goff co-wrote the earliest episodes with Lauck, and played many of the other recurring characters, including postmaster Dick Huddleston (named after a real life friend in Mena), con-man Squire Skimp, Mousy Gray, and in the sentimental annual [[Christmas]] show, Doc Miller.
Goff and his partner had experience as [[blackface]] entertainers, but had also worked up a hillbilly skit based on their own life experiences and friends. Performing on local radio, they soon landed their own network series in 1931. In addition to playing the role of the likable but naive, checker-playing Abner (who worked with Lum at the "Jot 'Em down Store" in fictitious Pine Ridge), Goff co-wrote the earliest episodes with Lauck, and played many of the other recurring characters, including postmaster Dick Huddleston (named after a real life friend in Mena), con-man Squire Skimp, Mousy Gray, and in the sentimental annual [[Christmas]] show, Doc Miller.
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Goff and Lauck also guest starred as Lum and Abner on radio series such as [[Bing Crosby]]'s ''Kraft Music Hall''; Goff also made a handful of solo appearances, notably guesting as the father of [[Andy Devine]] in an episode of ''The [[Jack Benny]] Program.'' Goff reprised his role as Abner for seven [[films]] between 1940 and 1956. Unlike Lauck, who virtually retired outside of playing Lum, Goff continued to make occasional guest appearances on television in the 1960s. Goff appeared in one episode apiece of two [[situation comedies]] with rural themes: ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]'' (as Gomer's grandfather) and ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (playing a local storekeeper).
Goff and Lauck also guest starred as Lum and Abner on radio series such as [[Bing Crosby]]'s ''Kraft Music Hall''; Goff also made a handful of solo appearances, notably guesting as the father of [[Andy Devine]] in an episode of ''The [[Jack Benny]] Program.'' Goff reprised his role as Abner for seven [[films]] between 1940 and 1956. Unlike Lauck, who virtually retired outside of playing Lum, Goff continued to make occasional guest appearances on television in the 1960s. Goff appeared in one episode apiece of two [[situation comedies]] with rural themes: ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]'' (as Gomer's grandfather) and ''[[The Andy Griffith Show]]'' (playing a local storekeeper).


Upon retirement he lived in [[Palm Springs, California]].<ref name=Radio>{{cite news|title=Palm Springs Home To Radio Veterans: Stars of 'Golden Era'|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0qlRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hW0DAAAAIBAJ&dq=palm-springs&pg=3384%2C2762174|accessdate=September 30, 2012|newspaper=Pittsburg Post-Gazette|date=December 18, 1974|agency=AP|quote=}}</ref> He died of a [[stroke]] at the age of 72 in [[Palm Desert, California]].
Upon retirement he lived in [[Palm Springs, California]].<ref name=Radio>{{cite news|title=Palm Springs Home To Radio Veterans: Stars of 'Golden Era'|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0qlRAAAAIBAJ&dq=palm-springs&pg=3384%2C2762174|access-date=September 30, 2012|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=December 18, 1974|agency=AP}}</ref> He died of a [[stroke]] at the age of 72 in [[Palm Desert, California]].

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1940|| ''[[Dreaming Out Loud (film)|Dreaming Out Loud]]'' || rowspan="7"|Abner Peabody ||
|-
|1942|| ''[[The Bashful Bachelor]]'' ||
|-
|1943|| ''[[Two Weeks to Live]]'' ||
|-
|1943|| ''[[So This Is Washington]]'' ||
|-
|1944|| ''[[Goin' to Town (1944 film)|Goin' to Town]]'' ||
|-
|1946|| ''[[Partners in Time]]'' ||
|-
|1956|| ''[[Lum and Abner Abroad]]'' ||
|}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0324588/ IMDb]
* {{IMDb name|0324588}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Goff, Norris
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = radio and film comedian
| DATE OF BIRTH = May 30, 1906
⚫
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Cove, Arkansas
| DATE OF DEATH = June 7, 1978
⚫
| PLACE OF DEATH = Palm Desert, California
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goff, Norris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goff, Norris}}
[[Category:1906 births]]
[[Category:1906 births]]
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[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Arkansas]]
[[Category:Male actors from Arkansas]]
⚫
[[Category:Deaths from stroke]]
[[Category:People from Palm Desert, California]]
[[Category:People from Palm Desert, California]]
[[Category:Male actors from Palm Springs, California]]
[[Category:Male actors from Palm Springs, California]]
[[Category:University of Arkansas alumni]]
[[Category:University of Arkansas alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:Comedians from California]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
⚫
[[Category:Comedians from Arkansas]]

Latest revision as of 13:49, 26 December 2023

Norris Goff
Goff as Abner in The Bashful Bachelor (1942)
Born(1906-05-30)May 30, 1906
Cove, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedJune 7, 1978(1978-06-07) (aged 72)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1931–1954

Norris Goff (May 30, 1906 – June 7, 1978) was an American comedian in radio and film best known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy Lum and Abner.

From left: Chester and Mrs. Lauck, Norris and Mrs. Goff in 1941.

Biography[edit]

Nicknamed "Tuffy," Goff was born in Cove, Arkansas, but soon moved to Mena, Arkansas where he met his longtime friend and partner Chester Lauck (Lum) and graduating from Mena High School in 1924.[1] Despite their fame as backwoodsmen, both actors graduated from the University of Arkansas, where Goff became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Goff and his partner had experience as blackface entertainers, but had also worked up a hillbilly skit based on their own life experiences and friends. Performing on local radio, they soon landed their own network series in 1931. In addition to playing the role of the likable but naive, checker-playing Abner (who worked with Lum at the "Jot 'Em down Store" in fictitious Pine Ridge), Goff co-wrote the earliest episodes with Lauck, and played many of the other recurring characters, including postmaster Dick Huddleston (named after a real life friend in Mena), con-man Squire Skimp, Mousy Gray, and in the sentimental annual Christmas show, Doc Miller.

Goff and Lauck also guest starred as Lum and Abner on radio series such as Bing Crosby's Kraft Music Hall; Goff also made a handful of solo appearances, notably guesting as the father of Andy Devine in an episode of The Jack Benny Program. Goff reprised his role as Abner for seven films between 1940 and 1956. Unlike Lauck, who virtually retired outside of playing Lum, Goff continued to make occasional guest appearances on television in the 1960s. Goff appeared in one episode apiece of two situation comedies with rural themes: Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (as Gomer's grandfather) and The Andy Griffith Show (playing a local storekeeper).

Upon retirement he lived in Palm Springs, California.[2] He died of a stroke at the age of 72 in Palm Desert, California.

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1940 Dreaming Out Loud Abner Peabody
1942 The Bashful Bachelor
1943 Two Weeks to Live
1943 So This Is Washington
1944 Goin' to Town
1946 Partners in Time
1956 Lum and Abner Abroad

References[edit]

  1. ^ "'Tuffy' Goff (1906–1978)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
  2. ^ "Palm Springs Home To Radio Veterans: Stars of 'Golden Era'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. AP. December 18, 1974. Retrieved September 30, 2012.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Norris Goff.
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