William Bendix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Bendix
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Bendix in 1960
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| Born | January 14, 1906 New York City, U.S
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| Died | December 14, 1964 (aged 58) |
| Resting place | San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, Los Angeles |
| Occupation | Film, radio, television actor |
| Years active | 1936–1964 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Theresa Stefanotti
(m. 1927–1964) |
| Children | 2 |
William Bendix (born January 14, 1906 – died December 14, 1964) was an American actor. He was famous for playing tough, working-class characters. You might remember him from the movie Wake Island. For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award.
Bendix also played Chester A. Riley in the popular radio and TV show The Life of Riley. He even played the famous baseball player Babe Ruth in The Babe Ruth Story. William Bendix often worked with actor Alan Ladd. They appeared in ten movies together. Both actors sadly passed away in 1964.
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Early Life of William Bendix
William Bendix was born in Manhattan, New York City. He was the only child of Oscar and Hilda Bendix. His uncle, Max Bendix, was a composer and violinist.
When he was a teenager in the early 1920s, Bendix worked as a batboy for the New York Yankees baseball team. He once said he saw Babe Ruth hit over 100 home runs! However, he was fired after giving Babe Ruth a huge order of hot dogs and soda before a game. This made Ruth too sick to play that day. Before becoming an actor, Bendix worked as a grocer until the Great Depression.
Acting Career
William Bendix started acting when he was 30 years old. His first movie was in 1942. He often played kind-hearted gangsters, detectives, or soldiers.
Movies
Bendix appeared in many film noir movies. These are dark and moody films, often about crime. One of his early roles was in The Glass Key (1942). He also gained attention in Alfred Hitchcock's movie Lifeboat (1944). In this film, he played Gus, a wounded American sailor.
He was the main actor in The Hairy Ape (1944). Bendix also played Babe Ruth in The Babe Ruth Story (1948). He appeared with Bing Crosby in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949). In this movie, he sang in the song "Busy Doing Nothing." He also starred in a movie version of his radio show, The Life of Riley (1949).
Radio and Television
Bendix's role as a tough, working-class man in the movie The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942) led to his most famous part. A producer named Irving Brecher thought Bendix was perfect to play Chester A. Riley.
The Life of Riley became a very popular radio show from 1944 to 1951. Bendix played Chester A. Riley, a clumsy but loving aircraft worker. His famous saying, "What a revoltin' development this is!" became a popular phrase in the 1940s.
At first, Bendix could not play Riley on TV because of another movie contract. So, Jackie Gleason played the role in the first TV version in 1949. That show was canceled. But in 1953, Bendix was able to play Riley on TV, and this time the show was a big hit! The Life of Riley ran from 1953 to 1958.
Bendix also appeared in an episode of Rod Serling's "The Time Element" (1958). This was a time-travel story about a man who tries to warn people about the attack on Pearl Harbor. This episode helped lead to Serling's famous show The Twilight Zone. Bendix also guest-starred on shows like The Ford Show, Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford and Wagon Train. He starred in the Western TV series Overland Trail in 1960.
In 1964, Bendix was set to star in a new TV show with Martha Raye. However, the network decided not to air the show because of Bendix's health. Bendix filed a lawsuit, saying the decision hurt his career. The case was settled, but Bendix passed away soon after.
Personal Life
William Bendix married his childhood friend, Theresa Stefanotti, in 1927. They were married for 37 years until his death. They had a daughter named Lorraine and adopted another daughter named Stephanie.
Bendix died in Los Angeles in 1964 at the age of 58. He had been ill for some time, which led to other health problems. He was buried at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Bendix was a member of the Republican Party. He supported Republican candidates in elections. For example, he attended a rally for Thomas E. Dewey and John W. Bricker during the 1944 presidential election.
Images for kids
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Bendix in 1960
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Poster for The Glass Key (1942)
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Bendix as Riley with Sterling Holloway, 1957
See also
In Spanish: William Bendix para niños
