William Demarest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Demarest
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Demarest in trailer for The Palm Beach Story (1942)
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| Born |
Carl William Demarest
February 27, 1892 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | December 28, 1983 (aged 91) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1906–1978 |
| Spouse(s) |
Estelle Collette
(m. 1923; div. 1941)Lucille Thayer
(m. 1942) |
Carl William Demarest (born February 27, 1892 – died December 28, 1983) was a famous American character actor. He was known for playing funny, sometimes grumpy, but often kind characters.
William Demarest appeared in over 140 movies and many TV shows. He was especially famous for his roles in comedies by Preston Sturges. Later, he became very well-known for playing Uncle Charley in the TV show My Three Sons. Before movies, he spent 20 years performing in vaudeville, which was a popular type of stage entertainment.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Carl William Demarest was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He was the youngest of three sons. When he was a baby, his family moved to New Bridge, a small town in New Jersey.
During World War I, Demarest served in the United States Army.
A Career on Stage and Screen
William Demarest started his acting career in vaudeville. He first performed with his two older brothers when he was young. Later, he performed with his first wife, Estelle Collette, as "Demarest and Colette."
He then moved to act in plays on Broadway, which is New York City's famous theater district. By 1926, Demarest also began working in movies. He often worked with director Preston Sturges. Sturges liked to cast the same group of actors in his films, and Demarest was one of them.
Demarest appeared in ten films written by Sturges. Eight of these were directed by Sturges himself. Some of these popular movies include The Lady Eve, Sullivan's Travels, and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek.
Television Roles
Demarest also had a busy career in television. In 1959, he was the main actor in the NBC sitcom Love and Marriage. He played William Harris, who owned a music company. His character refused to sell popular rock and roll music, even though it might have saved his business.
He also played Jeb Gaine, a friendly sidekick, in the Western TV series Tales of Wells Fargo from 1961 to 1962.
In 1963, Demarest appeared as Police Chief Aloysius in the movie It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He also had a memorable role in an episode of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone called "What's in the Box".
His most famous TV role was playing Uncle Charley O'Casey in the sitcom My Three Sons. He joined the show in 1965 and stayed until 1972. He took over the role from William Frawley. Demarest was already good friends with Fred MacMurray, who played the main character on the show. They had worked together in several movies before.
Awards and Recognition
William Demarest was nominated for an Academy Award (also known as an Oscar) for his supporting role in the movie The Jolson Story (1946). In this film, he played Al Jolson's made-up mentor. He had actually appeared with the real Al Jolson in an earlier movie called The Jazz Singer.
He also received an Emmy Award nomination in 1969 for his role as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy for My Three Sons.
On August 8, 1979, William Demarest received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This honor recognized his important contributions to movies. Many of his My Three Sons co-stars, including Fred MacMurray, came to celebrate with him.
In 1998, a Golden Palm Star was dedicated to him on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California.
Personal Life
William Demarest was married two times. His first wife was Estelle Collette, who was also his partner in vaudeville. He helped raise her daughter, Phyllis Gordon Demarest, from an earlier marriage.
His second wife was Lucille Thayer. They got married in 1942. Lucille Thayer later became very active in promoting health issues within the movie industry.
Later Years and Death
William Demarest passed away at his home in Palm Springs, California, on December 28, 1983. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Images for kids
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Demarest in The Palm Beach Story (1942)
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Demarest with Don Grady in My Three Sons (1969)
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Demarest's first wife, Estelle Collette.
See also
In Spanish: William Demarest para niños
