Tom Lester
Actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Lester
Born Thomas William Lester
September 23, 1938 (age 79)
Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation Actor and Evangelist
He is best known for his role as Eb Dawson, farmhand to Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert) on the television series Green Acres, and he appeared in two feature animal films Gordy and Benji.
After moving to Hollywood, Lester met actress Lurene Tuttle, who became his friend and acting coach. She suggested he begin work in the Little Theater, which he did, acting in showcases at the North Hollywood Playhouse.[5]
In the early 1960s Lester performed in a play with CBS producer Paul Henning's daughter Linda Kaye (Betty Jo Bradley of Petticoat Junction), and Lester soon found himself auditioning for the role of Eb Dawson on Green Acres. Lester beat out 400 other actors to play the character after a screen test.[6]
He got the role because he was the ... Show more...
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Lester
Born Thomas William Lester
September 23, 1938 (age 79)
Laurel, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation Actor and Evangelist
He is best known for his role as Eb Dawson, farmhand to Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert) on the television series Green Acres, and he appeared in two feature animal films Gordy and Benji.
After moving to Hollywood, Lester met actress Lurene Tuttle, who became his friend and acting coach. She suggested he begin work in the Little Theater, which he did, acting in showcases at the North Hollywood Playhouse.[5]
In the early 1960s Lester performed in a play with CBS producer Paul Henning's daughter Linda Kaye (Betty Jo Bradley of Petticoat Junction), and Lester soon found himself auditioning for the role of Eb Dawson on Green Acres. Lester beat out 400 other actors to play the character after a screen test.[6]
He got the role because he was the only one who could milk a cow in real life since he grew up on a farm in Mississippi. His recurring role soon became a regular character due to the character's and the show's popularity, which made Lester a household name.
Green Acres was the 11th-rated show in its debut season of 1965-66, according to the Nielsen ratings, climbed to #6 in 1966-67 and was #16 and #19, respectively, the following two seasons.[7] Because the Green Acres characters also appeared in episodes of two other CBS series - Petticoat Junction and The Beverly Hillbillies - Lester as Eb Dawson also occasionally appeared on those shows.
Even during the height of Green Acres' popularity, Lester lived in a small apartment atop a garage in the San Fernando Valley. Each year during the show's summer hiatus he would travel the country and speak at churches, youth rallies and revival meetings and at one time was part of the Rev. Billy Graham's organization.[8]
Lester appeared in nearly every Green Acres episode between 1965–71, with the exception of the first half in the 1967–68 season when he suffered mononucleosis. The show's explanation for Eb's absence was that he had eloped and was on his honeymoon. After six seasons, Green Acres was cancelled in 1971 as part of CBS's "rural purge".[9]
After Green Acres Show less...
Filmography - Acting
Filters:
Medium:
Job:
Gordy (1995)
As: Cousin Jake
A talking pig named Gordy becomes involved in a quest to save his family from the slaughterhouse.
Runtime: 90 min.
Directed by: Mark Lewis
Stars: Tom Lester | Deborah Hobart | Doug Stone | Kristy Young | James Donadio
Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (1991)
As: Pete as adult
A story about the great basketball player "Pistol" Pete Maravich when he was in the eighth grade. He plays on the varsity basketball team at Daniel High School but has some very difficult obstacles standing in his way of playing. The only support he has is from his father, retired basketball pro Press Maravich.
Runtime: 90 min.
Directed by: Frank C. Schröder
Stars: Millie Perkins | Tom Lester | Nick Benedict | Adam Guier | Murrell Garland
Return to Green Acres (1990)
As: Eb Dawson
Tv movie that reunites most the show's cast members. The Douglases move back to New York. But when Haney tries to get everyone's property so that a developer can build on them, the residents go to New York to get Douglas to help them. But he's a little hesitant.
Runtime: 92 min.
Directed by: William Asher
Stars: Sid Melton | Eddie Albert | Alvy Moore | Eva Gabor | Mary Grace Canfield
Intruder (1989)
As: Officer Mathews
The overnight stock crew of a local supermarket find themselves being stalked and slashed by a mysterious maniac.
Runtime: 83 min.
Directed by: Scott Spiegel
Stars: Dan Hicks | Renée Estevez | Sam Raimi | Elizabeth Cox | David Byrnes
Benji (1974)
As: Riley
Benji is a stray who has nonetheless worked his way into the hearts of a number of the townspeople, who give him food and attention whenever he stops by. His particular favorites are a pair of children who feed and play with him against the wishes of their parents. When the children are kidnapped, however, the parents and the police are at a loss to find them. Only Benji can track them down, but will he be ...
Runtime: 86 min.
Directed by: Joe Camp
Stars: Patsy Garrett | Allen Fiuzat | Cynthia Smith | Peter Breck | Frances Bavier