Billy De Wolfe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy De Wolfe
De Wolfe as the radio station manager in Good Morning World, 1967
Born	William Andrew Jones (1907-02-18)February 18, 1907 Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	March 5, 1974(1974-03-05) (aged 67) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy
Years active	1925–1974

Billy De Wolfe (born William Andrew Jones, February 18, 1907 – March 5, 1974) was a famous American character actor. He was known for playing funny, often fussy characters. Billy De Wolfe worked in movies and TV from the 1940s until he passed away in 1974.

Early Life and Start in Show Business

Billy De Wolfe was born William Andrew Jones in Quincy, Massachusetts. His dad was a bookbinder who wanted Billy to become a minister. But Billy was more interested in the theatre and performing.

He started working as an usher at a theater. Later, he became a dancer with the Jimmy O'Connor Band. Around this time, he changed his last name to "De Wolf," which was the name of his theater manager. He later added the "e" to make it "De Wolfe."

In 1925, Billy got roles as a chorus boy in Broadway musicals. These included Artists and Models and The Cocoanuts. He then toured Europe as part of a dance team in the 1930s. He even performed for royalty!

During World War II, Billy served in the United States Navy. He was discharged in 1944 due to a health condition.

Film Career

Billy De Wolfe joined Paramount Pictures in 1943. He quickly became known for his comedic roles. He often played pompous or fussy characters. His funny style made him a great contrast to the main romantic actors.

One of his most famous movie roles was in The Perils of Pauline (1947). He played a ham actor who became a silent movie villain. Billy was known for saying "Never touch!" when someone got too close to him.

A newspaper review once said that Billy "rips up the place with great delight." This meant he was very energetic and funny in his roles. He also played Pemberton Maxwell in the 1953 musical Call Me Madam.

Billy De Wolfe was good friends with actress Doris Day. They met while filming the musical Tea for Two in 1950. Their great chemistry on screen led to him being cast in her next film, Lullaby of Broadway (1951).

Return to Stage and Television

After his contract with Paramount ended, Billy De Wolfe returned to the stage. He appeared in the show John Murray Anderson's Almanac in 1953 and 1954. He also starred in the last ever Ziegfeld Follies in 1957.

De Wolfe (second from left) with Scoey Mitchell, Marlo Thomas, and Ted Bessell from That Girl, 1969

Billy was a frequent guest star on television shows. He was in the first two episodes of The Imogene Coca Show. He played Mr. Jarvis on CBS's The Doris Day Show. He also co-starred in a TV sitcom called The Queen and I.

He often appeared on talk shows and in TV commercials. He had a popular comedy routine called "Mrs. Murgatroyd." In this act, he dressed up with a hat and shawl, but kept his mustache. As Mrs. Murgatroyd, he pretended to be an expert on romance and gave funny advice.

Many TV viewers know Billy De Wolfe's voice from the 1969 Christmas special Frosty the Snowman. He was the voice of Professor Hinkle, the magician. Professor Hinkle had a very precise but funny way of speaking, saying things like "Mess-y, mess-y, mess-y!"

From 1967 to 1968, Billy co-starred in the TV sitcom Good Morning World. He played Roland Hutton, the fussy manager of a radio station.

In 1972, Billy was set to return to Broadway in the musical Irene. However, he had to leave the show due to health issues. Later that year, he recorded a song for the children's album Free to Be... You and Me. An animated TV special based on the album aired in March 1974, just after Billy De Wolfe passed away.

Later Life and Passing

Billy De Wolfe never married. He passed away on March 5, 1974, at the age of 67. He had been admitted to the University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center due to a serious illness.

Filmography