Norris Goff
Goff as Abner inThe Bashful Bachelor (1942)
Born	(1906-05-30)May 30, 1906 Cove, Arkansas, U.S.
Died	June 7, 1978(1978-06-07) (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 inradio andfilm best known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedyLum and Abner.

Nicknamed "Tuffy," Goff was born inCove, Arkansas, but soon moved toMena, Arkansas where he met his longtime friend and partnerChester Lauck (Lum) and graduating fromMena High School in 1924.^[1] Despite their fame as backwoodsmen, both actors graduated from theUniversity of Arkansas, where Goff became a member of theSigma Chi fraternity.

Goff and his partner had experience asblackface 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 annualChristmas show, Doc Miller.

Goff and Lauck also guest starred as Lum and Abner on radio series such asBing Crosby'sKraft Music Hall; Goff also made a handful of solo appearances, notably guesting as the father ofAndy Devine in an episode ofTheJack Benny Program. Goff reprised his role as Abner for sevenfilms 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 twosituation comedies with rural themes:Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (as Gomer's grandfather) andThe Andy Griffith Show (playing a local storekeeper).

Upon retirement he lived inPalm Springs, California.^[2] He died of astroke at the age of 72 inPalm Desert, California.

Wikimedia Commons has media related toNorris Goff.

• Norris Goff atIMDb

• 1906 births
• 1978 deaths
• People from Mena, Arkansas
• American male comedians
• American male film actors
• American male radio actors
• American male television actors
• Male actors from Arkansas
• Male actors from Palm Desert, California
• Male actors from Palm Springs, California
• University of Arkansas alumni
• 20th-century American male actors
• Comedians from Riverside County, California
• 20th-century American comedians
• Comedians from Arkansas

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