Chas Lawther

Charles "Chas" Lawther is a British-born Canadian actor, comedian and writer.

Lawther came to local prominence in Toronto when in the 1980s he created the character of Chuck The Security Guard for CFMT-TV's The All-Night Show, on the ostensible premise that as the station's night security he would be allowed to use the broadcast facilities to play classic television shows, short films and music videos between sign-off and 6 a.m. The show aired six nights a week, and featured Chuck and his late-night compatriots performing sketches, taking calls from the audience, overseeing various contests, and playing various TV shows and video clips four to five hours a night. Lawther was one of the writers of the show, as well as its star.

Later, Lawther and his comedy partner Suzette Couture formed the comedy duo Joined at the Hip, regularly playing comedy venues across Canada and at one point getting their own special on CBC. Lawther has written and hosted several comedy "stand-up mockumentaries" on CBC Radio.

He also wrote episodes for television shows including Bob and Margaret, The Raccoons and The All-Night Show and the direct to video film The Sex and Violence Family Hour. He also created a television movie documentary film called Is It Arf? in which he hosted and starred with his wife Gail Kerbel.

Many know him for his role hosting "The Showcase Revue" after the Showcase channel launched in Canada in the early 1990s.

Lawther is still a working actor, and was a recurring character as a seemingly gormless television executive on CBC's Made in Canada.

Filmography

1966: Blowup – Waiter (uncredited) 1979: Matt and Jenny – Friar 1980–1981: The All-Night Show (CFMT-TV, TV series host) – Chuck the Security Guard 1982: Chuck's Choice Cuts (straight to video special produced for Admit One Video) – Chuck the Security Guard 1983: The Littlest Hobo – Drugue / Proust / Mr. Proust / Murphy 1985: Terminal Choice – Kingsley's Son-in-law 1986: Mafia Princess – Make-up Artist 1986: Police Academy 3: Back in Training – Mr. Delaney 1987: Ford: The Man and the Machine – Connors 1988: Friday the 13th: The Series – Phil / Bernie Bell 1989: Champagne Charlie (TV movie) – David McLeod 1989: George's Island – Blinky 1990: Dracula: The Series – Lane Zorro 1991: Street Legal – Ed Hollis 1992: The Shower – Wayne 1993: Shining Time Station – Ringmaster 1993: E.N.G. – Philpott 1994: The Ref – Santa Family #2 1994: Paint Cans – Wick Burns 1994: The Mighty Jungle – Brill 1995: Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story (TV movie) – Arnie 1995: Iron Eagle IV – Col. Birkett 1995: Kung Fu: The Legend Continues 1996: F/X: The Series – Konich 1997: Lexx: The Dark Zone Stories (TV series regular) – Video Customs Officer 1997: Good Will Hunting – M.I.T. Professor 1998: Elimination Dance 1998: Made in Canada – Brian 1998: La Femme Nikita – Gufeld 1999: Power Play – Harrison Boulder 1999: Love Letters (TV movie) – Harry 2000: Urban Legends: Final Cut – Dean Patterson 2000: The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne – Dr. Cordoba 2002: Puppets Who Kill – Dr. Lester / Chester the Great 2003: Slings and Arrows – Mr. Stewart 2004: Zixx: Level One 2004: Wonderfalls – Pastor 2004: This is Wonderland 2007: Is It Art? (CBC Television) – Himself - Host 2007: Full of It – Mr. Von Der Ahe 2008: The Border – Bennett Barden 2009: Little Mosque on the Prairie – Rivertree's Father

In development: Things That Intimidate Me (TVOntario)