Tom Lester Dead at 81: 'Green Acres' Star Loses Parkinson's Battle

Lester graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in chemistry and briefly pursued an advanced degree before picking up and moving to Los Angeles. Once in Hollywood, he began performing in small acting showcases, and by the early 1960s, had secured an audition for the role of Eb Dawson on Green Acres. The Gordy star beat out 400 other men for the role, apparently because he was the only one who actually knew how to milk a cow.

The beloved series originated as a comedy radio show in the 1950s and was later moved to CBS following the success of shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. After six seasons, Green Acres was taken off the air in 1971.

Reflecting on his acting career, Lester told American Profile in March 2007 that he had very little support from his loved ones when it came to chasing his dreams. “They said, ‘You are too tall, too skinny, too ugly, you have a Southern accent and you don’t look like Rock Hudson,’” he recalled at the time.

Lester is survived by Peters and his brother, Michael T. Lester.

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