Norman Chaney

Acteur

1 november 1914 — 29 mei 1936 (21 years)
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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • School's Out
    School's Out1930
  • Pups Is Pups
    Pups Is Pups1930
  • Fly My Kite
    Fly My Kite1931
  • Teacher's Pet
    Teacher's Pet1930
  • Bear Shooters
    Bear Shooters1930
  • Love Business
    Love Business1931
  • Bouncing Babies
    Bouncing Babies1929
  • Helping Grandma
    Helping Grandma1931
  • Boxing Gloves
    Boxing Gloves1929
  • The First Seven Years
    The First Seven Years1930
  • Little Daddy
    Little Daddy1931
  • Shivering Shakespeare
    Shivering Shakespeare1930
  • Lazy Days
    Lazy Days1929
  • Railroadin'
    Railroadin'1929
  • When the Wind Blows
    When the Wind Blows1930
  • Moan & Groan, Inc.
    Moan & Groan, Inc.1929
  • Bargain Day
    Bargain Day1931
  • A Tough Winter
    A Tough Winter1930

Known For

  • School's Out
    School's Out1930
  • Kleine Boefjes
    Kleine Boefjes22 seasons
  • The First Seven Years
    The First Seven Years1930
  • Shivering Shakespeare
    Shivering Shakespeare1930
  • Fly My Kite
    Fly My Kite1931
  • When the Wind Blows
    When the Wind Blows1930
  • Teacher's Pet
    Teacher's Pet1930
  • Moan & Groan, Inc.
    Moan & Groan, Inc.1929
  • Love Business
    Love Business1931
  • A Tough Winter
    A Tough Winter1930
  • Helping Grandma
    Helping Grandma1931
  • Boxing Gloves
    Boxing Gloves1929
  • Pups Is Pups
    Pups Is Pups1930
  • Little Rascals: Best of Our Gang
    Little Rascals: Best of Our Gang2008
  • Little Daddy
    Little Daddy1931
  • Lazy Days
    Lazy Days1929
  • Bear Shooters
    Bear Shooters1930
  • Bouncing Babies
    Bouncing Babies1929
  • Railroadin'
    Railroadin'1929
  • Bargain Day
    Bargain Day1931

Cinematografie

2008
1986
Classic Comedy Teams · as Our Gang (archive Footage)
1955
The Little Rascals · as Chubby (1955)
1931
Fly My Kite · as ChubbyOp Plex
1931
Bargain Day · as ChubbyOp Plex
1931
The Stolen Jools · as Chubby
1931
Little Daddy · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
Love Business · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
Helping Grandma · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
School's Out · as Chubby ChaneyOp Plex
1930
Teacher's Pet · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
Pups Is Pups · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
A Tough Winter · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
Bear Shooters · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
When the Wind Blows · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
The First Seven Years · as ChubbyOp Plex
1930
1929
Shivering Shakespeare · as ChubbyOp Plex
1929
Moan & Groan, Inc. · as ChubbyOp Plex
1929
Bouncing Babies · as ChubbyOp Plex
1929
Boxing Gloves · as ChubbyOp Plex
1929
Lazy Days · as ChubbyOp Plex
1929
Railroadin' · as ChubbyOp Plex