Billy Gilbert
Biography
Billy Gilbert, born William Gilbert Barron, worked as an actor and comedian and appeared in more than 200 features, shorts, and television shows from 1929. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1894, he entered vaudeville at 12 and performed in burlesque before making early sound shorts for Pat Powers. Stan Laurel introduced him to Hal Roach, for whom he wrote gags, acted, and directed, and he appeared in support of Laurel and Hardy, Charley Chase, and Our Gang. He became known for his dialects and for turning a simple sneeze into a comic routine. Walt Disney cast him as Sneezy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and as Willie the Giant in Fun and Fancy Free (1947). He played Herring in The Great Dictator (1940), appeared in His Girl Friday (1940) and Seven Sinners (1940), and retired after Five Weeks in a Balloon (1962). He also acted, wrote, and directed on Broadway. He died in 1971.
77years old at death
- Born Louisville
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
- Also credited as William Gilbert Barron
Movie Career
- Films
- 14
- Career span
- 30 years1932 to 1962
Genres
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First role
At 12 years old, Gilbert started out in vaudeville. He also appeared in burlesque, touring the Columbia and Mutual circuits.
Big break
Comedian Stan Laurel saw Gilbert in the stage revue Sensations of 1929, went backstage to meet him, and introduced him to producer Hal Roach, for whom Gilbert then worked as a gag writer, actor and director.
A first
Because Gilbert was skilled at dialects, Roach gave him a series of his own. In it, big Billy Gilbert and little Billy Bletcher formed the Dutch-comic act the Schmaltz Brothers.
Behind the camera
Gilbert worked on Broadway in the late 1940s and early 1950s, serving as an actor, writer and director. His acting roles included Fanny, The Chocolate Soldier and Gypsy Lady, while he directed The Red Mill and other plays.
Billy Gilbert movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs1937 Animation, Family, Fantasyas Sneezyvoice
IMDb rating 7.6240K votes
Most often with
George Marshall directed two of these films. Seventeen actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John Qualen's page
Samuel S. Hinds's page
Pinto Colvig's page
Clarence Nash's page
Henry Daniell's page
Oliver Hardy's page
All films by George Marshall
Also two films together11 more actors
- Stan LaurelBlock-Heads (1938) and Pack Up Your Troubles (1932)
- Charles ColemanArabian Nights (1942) and Cross-Country Romance (1940)
- Marlene DietrichSeven Sinners (1940) and Destry Rides Again (1939)
- Mischa AuerSeven Sinners (1940) and Destry Rides Again (1939)
- Victor MatureSong of the Islands (1942) and No, No, Nanette (1940)
- Grady SuttonAnchors Aweigh (1945) and Pack Up Your Troubles (1932)
- James MacDonaldFun and Fancy Free (1947) and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- James FinlaysonBlock-Heads (1938) and Pack Up Your Troubles (1932)
- Cliff EdwardsFun and Fancy Free (1947) and His Girl Friday (1940)
- Jack OakieSong of the Islands (1942) and The Great Dictator (1940)
- Dorothea KentCross-Country Romance (1940) and No, No, Nanette (1940)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.