Jack Benny

Biography

Jack Benny was an American entertainer who moved from vaudeville violin work to a celebrated career in radio, television, and film. Born in Chicago and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, he played violin in local vaudeville theaters from 1911 and later formed a musical duo that gradually added comedy. By 1921 comedy had taken over and the fiddle was mostly a prop. He signed with MGM in 1929 and made his film debut in The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929). His radio and television programs, The Jack Benny Program, ran from 1932 to 1955 on radio and from 1950 to 1965 on television. He became known for self-deprecating humor, portraying himself as a vain miser who played the violin badly and claimed to be 39. His films included Charley's Aunt (1941), To Be or Not to Be (1942), and The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945). He received three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.

80years old at death

Born February 14, 1894Chicago
Died December 26, 1974Los Angeles
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
Benjamin Kubelsky (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 15
Career span: 75 years1929 to 2004

Genres

Comedy80%, 12 films
Romance40%, 6 films
Music27%, 4 films
Documentary20%, 3 films
Musical13%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Big break
Benny's first radio job came after an NBC audition for Canada Dry in 1932; the head of the division called him excellent for radio and a great bet for an air program.
A change of course
Benny's comedy turn began in the Navy when sailors booed his violin playing and, prompted by fellow sailor Pat O'Brien, he ad-libbed until they laughed.
A first
On The $64,000 Question in 1957, Benny chose Violins as his category, answered the first question correctly, then quit with $64, which host Hal March paid out of his own pocket.
A change of course
The Horn Blows at Midnight, one of Benny's films, did not succeed. That failure turned into a recurring joke on his radio and television programs.

Jack Benny movies on Netflix

Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust2004IMDb rating 7.5
We Remember Marilyn1996IMDb rating 7.1as Himself
That's Entertainment! III1994IMDb rating 7.5
A Guide for the Married Man1967IMDb rating 6.6as Technical Adviser
The Honey Pot1967IMDb rating 6.7as Violinist Outside Restaurant
Who Was That Lady?1960IMDb rating 6.5as Mr. Cosgrove
Rock-a-Bye Baby1958IMDb rating 6.6as Carlos, the matador
The Great Lover1949IMDb rating 6.5as Jack Benny
It's in the Bag!1945IMDb rating 6.6as Jack Benny
The Horn Blows at Midnight1945IMDb rating 6.6as Athanael
Hollywood Canteen1944IMDb rating 7.0as Himself
To Be or Not to Be1942IMDb rating 8.1as Joseph Tura
Broadway Melody of 19361935IMDb rating 6.7as Bert Keeler
Children of Pleasure1930IMDb rating 5.5as Radio Performer Jack
The Hollywood Revue of 19291929IMDb rating 5.6as Jack Benny - Master of Ceremonies

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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To Be or Not to Be1942 Comedy, Romance, Waras Joseph Tura
IMDb rating 8.150K votes
Broadway Melody of 19361935 Comedy, Musicas Bert Keeler
IMDb rating 6.72.3K votes
The Hollywood Revue of 19291929as Jack Benny - Master of Ceremonies
IMDb rating 5.62.6K votes
The Horn Blows at Midnight1945as Athanael
IMDb rating 6.61.7K votes
It's in the Bag!1945as Jack Benny
IMDb rating 6.6680 votes
A Guide for the Married Man1967as Technical Adviser
IMDb rating 6.63.2K votes
Hollywood Canteen1944as Himself
IMDb rating 7.02.7K votes
Who Was That Lady?1960as Mr. Cosgrove
IMDb rating 6.52.0K votes

Most often with

Joan Crawford appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Joan Crawford

Paul Harvey

Lucille Ball

Reginald Gardiner

Cliff Edwards

Films together

Joan Crawford3 films together, 1929 to 1994
Joan Crawford's page
- That's Entertainment! III1994IMDb rating 7.5
- Hollywood Canteen1944IMDb rating 7.0Benny as HimselfCrawford as Himself
- The Hollywood Revue of 19291929IMDb rating 5.6Benny as Jack Benny - Master of CeremoniesCrawford as Joan Crawford
Paul Harvey2 films together, 1935 to 1945
Paul Harvey's page
- The Horn Blows at Midnight1945IMDb rating 6.6Benny as AthanaelHarvey as Hotel Manager Thompson
- Broadway Melody of 19361935IMDb rating 6.7Benny as Bert KeelerHarvey as Managing Editor
Lucille Ball2 films together, 1967 to 1994
Lucille Ball's page
- That's Entertainment! III1994IMDb rating 7.5
- A Guide for the Married Man1967IMDb rating 6.6Benny as Technical AdviserBall as Technical Adviser
Reginald Gardiner2 films together, 1945 to 1958
Reginald Gardiner's page
- Rock-a-Bye Baby1958IMDb rating 6.6Benny as Carlos, the matadorGardiner as Harold Hermann
- The Horn Blows at Midnight1945IMDb rating 6.6Benny as AthanaelGardiner as Composer / Archie Dexter
Cliff Edwards2 films together, 1929 to 1930
Cliff Edwards's page
- Children of Pleasure1930IMDb rating 5.5Benny as Radio Performer JackEdwards as Radio Performer Cliff
- The Hollywood Revue of 19291929IMDb rating 5.6Benny as Jack Benny - Master of CeremoniesEdwards as Ukelele Ike(Ukulele Ike)

Awards

Six awards and honors from 1958 to 1959, two of them major.

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Jack Benny's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Golden Globes
	Awards		Won
Emmy Awards
1959	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series	The Jack Benny Program	Won
Other honors
1958	Trustees Award		Won
	Laurel Leaf Award		Won
	Peabody Awards		Won
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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