Norman Chaney

He played Chubby in 18 Our Gang comedies from 1929 to 1931 The resident plussize 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 Chubbys 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 Dont call me Norman call me ChubsyUbsy Chaneys other notable Our Gang appearances include Boxing Gloves 1929 Shivering Shakespeare 1930 Teachers Pet 1930 Schools 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 hed 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 rolypoly youths 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