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Norman Chaney‌

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1914-11-01

Popularity

star3.3

Norman Chaney

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Norman Chaney

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Gender

Male

Birthday

calendar1914-11-01

Popularity

star3.3

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.

Movie Credits

The Ghosts

The Ghosts‌
star0.0
calendar 1930

Our Gang - Comedy Festival

Our Gang - Comedy Festival‌
star0.0
calendar 2001

Boxing Gloves

Boxing Gloves‌
star6.0
calendar 1929

Lazy Days

Lazy Days‌
star4.8
calendar 1929

Railroadin'

Railroadin'‌
star5.7
calendar 1929

Pups Is Pups

Pups Is Pups‌
star6.0
calendar 1930

Moan & Groan, Inc.

Moan & Groan, Inc.‌
star5.5
calendar 1929

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 2‌
star0.0
calendar 2021

Bouncing Babies

Bouncing Babies‌
star6.1
calendar 1929

Shivering Shakespeare

Shivering Shakespeare‌
star5.7
calendar 1930

The First Seven Years

The First Seven Years‌
star5.1
calendar 1930

Bear Shooters

Bear Shooters‌
star5.1
calendar 1930

Fly My Kite

Fly My Kite‌
star7.0
calendar 1931

A Tough Winter

A Tough Winter‌
star5.6
calendar 1930

Teacher's Pet

Teacher's Pet‌
star7.2
calendar 1930

School's Out

School's Out‌
star6.9
calendar 1930

Helping Grandma

Helping Grandma‌
star6.8
calendar 1931

Love Business

Love Business‌
star6.9
calendar 1931

Little Daddy

Little Daddy‌
star7.0
calendar 1931

The Stolen Jools

The Stolen Jools‌
star5.6
calendar 1931

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1

The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1‌
star0.0
calendar 2021

When the Wind Blows

When the Wind Blows‌
star6.1
calendar 1930

Bargain Day

Bargain Day‌
star6.0
calendar 1931

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

The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)‌
star0.0
calendar 1931

Tv Credits