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.
He served as the news controller for Fairchild TV's Toronto division for a few years, before joining CFMT-TV (now Omni) in 1998 as the anchor and senior editor of the station's Cantonese newscast, as well as the station's public affairs officer.
The All-Night Show was a television series starring Chas Lawther and produced by Jeff Silverman which ran from September 1980 to August 1981 on CFMT-TV in Toronto.