Norman Chaney

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.

Known For: Acting

Born: Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 1914-11-01

Died: 1936-05-29

Norman Chaney

Film

Television

No.	Year	Title	Role	Vote Average
1	1929	Railroadin'	Chubby	57
2	1929	Lazy Days	Chubby	48
3	1929	Boxing Gloves	Chubby	60
4	1929	Bouncing Babies	Chubby	61
5	1929	Moan & Groan, Inc.	Chubby	55
6	1930	Shivering Shakespeare	Chubby	57
7	1930	The First Seven Years	Chubby	52
8	1930	The Ghosts	Chubby	0
9	1930	When the Wind Blows	Chubby	61
10	1930	Bear Shooters	Chubby	52
11	1930	A Tough Winter	Chubby	54
12	1930	Pups Is Pups	Chubby	62
13	1930	Teacher's Pet	Chubby	72
14	1930	School's Out	Chubby Chaney	68
15	1931	Helping Grandma	Chubby	68
16	1931	Love Business	Chubby	69
17	1931	Little Daddy	Chubby	70
18	1931	The Stolen Jools	Chubby	56
19	1931	Bargain Day	Chubby	60
20	1931	Fly My Kite	Chubby	68
21	1931	The Little Rascals: The Best of Our Gang Collection (In Color)	Chubby	0
22	2001	Our Gang - Comedy Festival	Chubby	0
23	2021	The Little Rascals - The ClassicFlix Restorations, Volume 1		0