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Norris Goff
Norris Goff
	Goff as Abner in The Bashful Bachelor (1942)
Born	May 30, 1906; Cove, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	June 7, 1978 (aged 72); 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 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.^[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

Year	Title	Role
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

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