Clarence Rutherford
Encyclopedia
Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford is a fictional character
in the television sitcom
Leave It to Beaver
. The show aired from October 4, 1957 to June 20, 1963. Lumpy is a bit of a bully and, with Eddie Haskell
, is one of Wally Cleaver's friends.
Lumpy was portrayed in the original series by Frank Bank
. The actor also appeared as Lumpy in the sequel series, The New Leave It to Beaver
(1985–1989). "Lumpy" was portrayed by Justin Restivo in the 1997 spin-off
film, Leave It to Beaver
, also his portrayer Frank Bank made an appearance in the film as "Frank".
, (Ward Cleaver
's co-worker). The Rutherfords live somewhere in the Cleaver neighborhood, which gives Lumpy the opportunity to bully the Cleaver boys on their way home from school. The boys plot Lumpy's come-uppance but the plot backfires when Fred accidentally steps into the trap. Although a touch of the bully never leaves Lumpy, he eventually becomes Wally's friend. They are in the same class together at school, in spite of a three year age spread between the two.
Lumpy is a papa's boy. He is well-known for referring to his father as "Daddy". Fred would tell Clarence he was too old and big (usually referring to his "lumpiness") to call him "Daddy". More often than not, Fred would lose his patience and call Lumpy a "big boob" or a "big oaf". Lumpy's mother Gwendolyn ("Geraldine", in some early episodes) and his younger sister, Violet (who is about Beaver
's age), round out the family. Violet gives Beaver a black eye in an early episode. Lumpy also has a never-seen-on-the-show brother.
Lumpy is not the brightest fellow in Mayfield. He is a very hefty young lad and is often teased because of it. Lumpy often convinces others to do things that he is really too afraid to do himself. He sometimes picks on Beaver.
When Lumpy wins a college football scholarship in a later episode, June Cleaver throws a party and bakes a cake in the shape of a football field. In another episode, Wally and Eddie Haskell
play a prank on Lumpy that involves the rear axle of his car being removed with a chain.
Lumpy is married and has a daughter, J.J.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the television sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver is an American television situation comedy about an inquisitive but often naïve boy named Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver and his adventures at home, in school, and around his suburban neighborhood...
. The show aired from October 4, 1957 to June 20, 1963. Lumpy is a bit of a bully and, with Eddie Haskell
Eddie Haskell
Edward Clark "Eddie" Haskell is a fictional character on the Leave It to Beaver television situation comedy, which ran on CBS from October 4, 1957 to 1958 and then on ABC from 1958 to June 20, 1963...
, is one of Wally Cleaver's friends.
Lumpy was portrayed in the original series by Frank Bank
Frank Bank
Frank Bank is an American actor, particularly known for his role as Clarence 'Lumpy' Rutherford on the situation comedy television series Leave It to Beaver.Bank is a bond broker in Los Angeles, California...
. The actor also appeared as Lumpy in the sequel series, The New Leave It to Beaver
The New Leave It to Beaver
The New Leave It to Beaver is an American sitcom sequel to the 1950s and '60s series, Leave It to Beaver. The New Leave It to Beaver began with the 1983 CBS TV movie Still the Beaver, and was picked up in 1984 as a Disney Channel series with the same name; however, it only lasted one season...
(1985–1989). "Lumpy" was portrayed by Justin Restivo in the 1997 spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
film, Leave It to Beaver
Leave It to Beaver (film)
Leave It to Beaver is a 1997 film that is a remake of the TV series of the same name. There are many in-jokes related to the original series within the movie.-Plot:...
, also his portrayer Frank Bank made an appearance in the film as "Frank".
Overview
Lumpy is introduced to the viewer in the first season episode "Lumpy Rutherford". He's the 16 year old son of FredFred Rutherford
Frederick "Fred" Rutherford is a fictional character in the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver. The show aired October 4, 1957 to June 20, 1963. Fred is portrayed by Richard Deacon...
, (Ward Cleaver
Ward Cleaver
Ward Cleaver is a fictional character in the American television sitcom Leave It to Beaver. Ward and his wife, June, are often invoked as archetypal suburban parents of the babyboomer 1950s. The couple are the parents of Wally, a thirteen-year-old in the eighth grade, and seven-year-old ...
's co-worker). The Rutherfords live somewhere in the Cleaver neighborhood, which gives Lumpy the opportunity to bully the Cleaver boys on their way home from school. The boys plot Lumpy's come-uppance but the plot backfires when Fred accidentally steps into the trap. Although a touch of the bully never leaves Lumpy, he eventually becomes Wally's friend. They are in the same class together at school, in spite of a three year age spread between the two.
Lumpy is a papa's boy. He is well-known for referring to his father as "Daddy". Fred would tell Clarence he was too old and big (usually referring to his "lumpiness") to call him "Daddy". More often than not, Fred would lose his patience and call Lumpy a "big boob" or a "big oaf". Lumpy's mother Gwendolyn ("Geraldine", in some early episodes) and his younger sister, Violet (who is about Beaver
Theodore Cleaver
Theodore "The Beaver" Cleaver is the fictional title character in the American television series Leave It to Beaver. Seven-year-old Beaver is son to June and Ward Cleaver and sibling to thirteen-year-old Wally Cleaver .Beaver prefers "messin' around" with his pals and reading comic books to...
's age), round out the family. Violet gives Beaver a black eye in an early episode. Lumpy also has a never-seen-on-the-show brother.
Lumpy is not the brightest fellow in Mayfield. He is a very hefty young lad and is often teased because of it. Lumpy often convinces others to do things that he is really too afraid to do himself. He sometimes picks on Beaver.
When Lumpy wins a college football scholarship in a later episode, June Cleaver throws a party and bakes a cake in the shape of a football field. In another episode, Wally and Eddie Haskell
Eddie Haskell
Edward Clark "Eddie" Haskell is a fictional character on the Leave It to Beaver television situation comedy, which ran on CBS from October 4, 1957 to 1958 and then on ABC from 1958 to June 20, 1963...
play a prank on Lumpy that involves the rear axle of his car being removed with a chain.
The New Leave It to Beaver
Lumpy and Beaver form a successful business partnership (the "Cleaver and Rutherford Co."). As with their fathers, it is never specified exactly what the scope of the business is. Previously, both men had worked for Fred Rutherford's company (until Fred's death).Lumpy is married and has a daughter, J.J.