Thomas William Lester (September 23, 1938 â€" April 20, 2020) was an
American actor and evangelist. He was best known for his role as
farmhand Eb Dawson on the television show Green Acres. He appeared in
two feature animal films, Gordy and Benji.Lester was born in Laurel,
Mississippi, one of two children (both sons) of Pat Lester
(1913â€"2009), an accountant with Gulf Oil, and Mary Sue (Thornton)
Lester (1914â€"2009), a manager with Home Interiors and Gifts.In 1948,
he became a born-again Christian, and became involved in the Baptist
church. At that time he said he thought the Lord's plan for his life
would deliver him to Hollywood, California, to embark on an acting
career. He discussed his plans and his dream of becoming an actor with
his parents.After he graduated from Laurel High School, he attended
the University of Mississippi, where he received a B.Sc. degree in
chemistry and biology. He briefly attended graduate school at the
University of Southern Mississippi, but acting became his main
interest. After college he taught school in Purcell, Oklahoma, but he
left for Los Angeles. In his early 20s he attended the First Baptist
Church of Beverly Hills, California.
American actor and evangelist. He was best known for his role as
farmhand Eb Dawson on the television show Green Acres. He appeared in
two feature animal films, Gordy and Benji.Lester was born in Laurel,
Mississippi, one of two children (both sons) of Pat Lester
(1913â€"2009), an accountant with Gulf Oil, and Mary Sue (Thornton)
Lester (1914â€"2009), a manager with Home Interiors and Gifts.In 1948,
he became a born-again Christian, and became involved in the Baptist
church. At that time he said he thought the Lord's plan for his life
would deliver him to Hollywood, California, to embark on an acting
career. He discussed his plans and his dream of becoming an actor with
his parents.After he graduated from Laurel High School, he attended
the University of Mississippi, where he received a B.Sc. degree in
chemistry and biology. He briefly attended graduate school at the
University of Southern Mississippi, but acting became his main
interest. After college he taught school in Purcell, Oklahoma, but he
left for Los Angeles. In his early 20s he attended the First Baptist
Church of Beverly Hills, California.
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