Cliff Arquette facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cliff Arquette
|
|
|---|---|
Arquette in 1941
|
|
| Born |
Clifford Charles Arquette
December 28, 1905 Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
|
| Died | September 23, 1974 (aged 68) Burbank, California, U.S.
|
| Other names | Charley Weaver |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian |
| Spouse(s) |
Mildred LeMay (Speight)
(1933–1938) |
| Children | Lewis Arquette |
| Relatives |
|
Clifford Charles Arquette (December 28, 1905 – September 23, 1974) was a well-known American actor and comedian. He became famous for his funny routines as his special character, Charley Weaver. He performed as Charley Weaver on many popular television and radio shows.
Contents
Cliff Arquette's Early Life and Career
Cliff Arquette was born on December 28, 1905, in Toledo, Ohio. He was the youngest of four children. His father, Charles Augustus Arquette, was a vaudevillian, which means he performed in a type of variety show. Cliff's family had some French-Canadian roots. Their original family name was "Arcouet."
Cliff Arquette was also known for inventing a special kind of theatrical mask. This mask was very flexible, allowing actors to change their facial expressions easily. It also let air reach the actor's skin, making it more comfortable.
Before 1956, Arquette was busy performing in radio, theater, and movies. He even worked on 13 different radio shows every day in Chicago. He would travel between studios using motorboats on the Chicago River. One of his radio shows was The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
In the early 1950s, Arquette and Dave Willock had their own radio show called Dave and Charley. They also had a TV show with the same name. It was during these shows that Cliff Arquette first created his famous character, Charley Weaver.
Meet Charley Weaver
In 1957, Cliff Arquette was invited by Jack Paar to appear on his NBC Tonight Show. Arquette decided to bring his new character, "Charley Weaver," to the show. Charley Weaver was an old man from a fictional town called Mount Idy.
As Charley Weaver, Arquette would read funny letters from his "Mamma" back home. This character became incredibly popular. After this, Arquette almost always appeared in public as Charley Weaver. He would wear a squashed hat, small round glasses, a rumpled shirt, a broad tie, baggy pants, and suspenders.
Charley Weaver's stories about his fictional family and town often made Jack Paar and the audience laugh uncontrollably. Arquette was very good at using his timing and funny words to create humor. Jack Paar once said that Charley Weaver could beat anyone in a quick, funny conversation.
Charley Weaver also hosted his own show called Charley Weaver's Hobby Lobby on ABC. This show ran from September 1959 to March 1960. He also appeared as Charley Weaver on The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show in 1962.
In 1960, Cliff Arquette received a special honor. He got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his great work in radio.
Later Career and Legacy
Cliff Arquette's Charley Weaver character was a regular on the TV game show Hollywood Squares for many years. He always sat in the lower left square of the tic-tac-toe board. On the show, he was usually asked questions about American History. His answers were almost always correct.
Cliff Arquette was very interested in the American Civil War. Because of this, he opened the Charley Weaver Museum of the Civil War in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in the 1950s. The museum was in a building that was once the headquarters for General O.O. Howard during the Battle of Gettysburg. It stayed open for about ten years. Later, this site became the Soldier's National Museum.
In the early 1970s, Cliff Arquette had some health problems. He suffered a stroke in 1972. This kept him off Hollywood Squares for a while.
Death
Cliff Arquette passed away in Burbank, California, on September 23, 1974. He was 68 years old. His death was caused by a stroke.
Discography
- Charley Weaver Sings for His People (1959)
- Let's Play Trains with Cliff Arquette (1960)
See also
In Spanish: Cliff Arquette para niños
