Chester Lauck

Chester "Chet" Lauck (February 9, 1902 – February 21, 1980) was a prominent comic actor best known for his portrayal of Lum Edwards in the beloved American radio series Lum and Abner. Born in Alleene, Arkansas, and raised in Mena, Lauck graduated from Mena High School in 1920. It was in Mena that he crossed paths with his future comedy collaborator, Norris Goff. Initially performing as blackface comedians, Lauck and Goff found their niche with a popular hillbilly skit on local radio station KTHS, which set the stage for their network series debut in Chicago in 1931.

Lauck's role as Lum Edwards, whose full name is Columbus Edwards, became iconic, and he frequently portrayed other characters such as Cedric Weehunt, Grandpappy Spears, and Snake Hogan. Alongside Goff, he brought Lum and Abner to the big screen, appearing in seven films from 1940 to 1956. To visually align with his character, Lauck adopted grey hair and a moustache during his performances.

In his later years, he contributed to the preservation of his show's legacy by recording new introductions for cassette releases and syndication. Lauck also ventured into real estate during the 1950s, purchasing and enhancing a ranch near Las Vegas, which was later acquired by Howard Hughes and transformed into Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

A guest challenger on To Tell the Truth on August 27, 1957, Lauck passed away on February 21, 1980, at the age of 78 and was interred in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is honored as a member of the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame.