Highlights

Campus News

Wildcat Weekly Minute for Nov. 17, 2011

A look at what's happening on campus this week.

Faith

Louisiana College ‘Voices’ along with LBC Call for an ‘Awakening’

Debut of project at Evangelism Conference

Sports

LC hoops teams wrap up homestand with pair of wins

Off to Ozarks, UT-Dallas next

Organizations

LC media student give to Toys for Tots

More than 100 toys will help local charity

Campus Life

February is Heart Health Awareness Month

Stay healthy and 'God Red'

Culture

All the Shakespeare you could laugh at… and more!

tlc's adaptation of 'Shakespeare Abridged' pulls out all the stops

Special Coverage

LC brings another successful ‘Follow the Star’

'Christmas on the Hill' and 'Gala' add to festive weekend

Golly! Eb Dawson visits LC

by Al Quartemont

Actor Tom Lester shares his testimony

There was a day when morals and values permeated television shows. Not so today.

That was the message actor Tom Lester, better known as Eb Dawson from the 1960s hit show, "Green Acres", had for students at Louisiana College Monday.

Dawson took time to speak with some of the students at the Martin Performing Arts Center after coming to campus to meet with the administration about future plans for an academic film program.

"It's sad to see how TV has changed," Lester told the students. "Back then, there wasn't a show that I couldn't do. Now, there's probably not a show that I could do."

Lester makes it clear as soon as you meet him. The reason for his strong stance is his faith in Jesus Christ. That faith relationship began when Lester was 10-years-old. Now 71, the only thing that has changed about that stance is that it is graced with more wisdom. Some of that wisdom he is sharing with colleges like LC in the hope that Hollywood might someday see its own "revival" and a return to wholesome programming that all age groups can enjoy.

"The industry doesn't realize they're missing out on billions of dollars because they won't make family-friendly films," he said. "It's so important that we take a stand for what is right and God will honor that."

Lester, himself, is living proof. Born a country kid in Mississippi, Lester said he knew God had put a call on his life for him to become an actor. Everyone doubted it. And why not? A tall, skinny guy with a southern accent and no acting experience when he moved to Hollywood in the early 1960s, Lester knew no one in the industry, and no one knew him. Most of those he met soon after told him to go back home.

But Lester pressed on. After connecting with radio legend Lurene Tuttle for acting lessons, he soon was cast in a community play that also featured the daughter of legendary writer Paul Henning. Henning liked Lester's country boy personality and told him he might have a part for him on the show he created, produced and wrote - "The Beverly Hillbillies." Time passed without a call and Lester decided if something didn't happen soon, he was heading back home.

Before that happened, however, Lester was playing the part of a wizard in another play, a play which this time featured Henning's niece. A few days later, Lester received a call from Henning who wanted the country boy to try out for a part in a new series he was writing, "Green Acres." The perfect match, right? Not exactly.

Lester recalled that his reading for the part was a disaster. He knew it hadn't gone well, but even so, when it was all done, he wanted to know if he got the part. It was that moment that captured his interviewers' hearts.

"I was Eb in real life," Lester said. "Only Eb would do that horrible and think he did really good. They asked me if I wanted to do a screen test that next Monday. I said, 'Golly, would I?' And they started writing (golly) into the show."

One more point of detail. More than 400 others tried out for the part. But it was the too tall, too skinny kid with the country accent who got it.

Six years later, and 170 episodes of "Green Acres" later, Tom Lester was part of television history. As the lovable farm hand for Oliver and Lisa Douglas, played by Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, Lester endeared himself to an audience that still remembers the show fondly today and continues to endear himself to a new audience through reruns and DVDs.

But Lester will be the first to tell you being an actor was never what defined him. Being a Christian was and still is. A man passionate about the work of the Lord, Lester is unashamedly evangelistic as he talks with students, church groups and anyone else who comes within an earshot.

His life is simple once again. Lester lives in his boyhood town of Laurel in Mississippi with his wife whom he married when he was 68. He loves to hear from fans and even has his own website now.

Following "Green Acres," Lester's only major role came in the children's movie, "Benji." He had some other small parts here and there. And he turned down a number of potential projects because they did not reflect the moral code by which he lives. But you don't get the sense Lester feels as though he has missed out on anything.

"When you're saved, the Holy Spirit lives in you," he said. "And where ever you are, you represent God. Let's don't disgrace God."

It's that message Lester hopes Hollywood and America might embrace again some day.

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