W.C. Fields
Biography
Born William Claude Dukenfield in Darby, Pennsylvania, W. C. Fields was an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer. He started in vaudeville as a juggler, achieving international success before incorporating comedy into his act and adopting a tramp juggler persona. He made his Broadway debut in 1905 in The Ham Tree and later appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies from 1915, starring in the revue from 1916 to 1922. In 1923 he starred in the musical comedy Poppy as a small-time con man, a type he often played on stage and screen. His film career included silent shorts and features such as Sally of the Sawdust (1925), and he became a major star with International House (1933). Other notable films were It's a Gift (1934), David Copperfield (1935), My Little Chickadee (1940), and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941), his last starring film. He died in 1946.
66years old at death
- Born Darby
- Died Pasadena
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Also credited as William Claude Dukenfield and William Claude Fields
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 15 years1925 to 1940
Genres
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First role
Fields entered vaudeville in 1898 as a genteel tramp juggler, adopting the name W. C. Fields and a costume of scruffy beard and shabby tuxedo inspired by James Edward Harrigan.
First role
Fields made his Broadway debut in 1905 in the musical comedy The Ham Tree, a role that required him to deliver spoken dialogue for the first time onstage.
A role that slipped away
For the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, W.C. Fields and Ed Wynn were initially considered for the lead role. Fields, however, removed himself from the running to focus on writing You Can't Cheat an Honest Man.
A role that slipped away
While Frank Capra was planning his film It's a Wonderful Life, he thought about Fields for the part of Uncle Billy, but Thomas Mitchell ended up with the role.
Behind the camera
With his career stalling, Fields asked his golfing buddy Mack Sennett for any behind-the-scenes job at the Sennett studio. Sennett preferred Fields as a performer, so they agreed he would act and write his own material, producing four two-reel comedies that Sennett released through Paramount in 1932 and 1933.
Behind the camera
Fields often helped write the scripts of his films, using odd pseudonyms. These included Charles Bogle, Otis Criblecoblis, and Mahatma Kane Jeeves.
W.C. Fields movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Norman Z. McLeod directed three of these films, Edward F. Cline three. Irving Bacon 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.
Films together
Irving Bacon's page
Gary Cooper's page
Ernie Adams's page
Jack Oakie's page
George Moran's page
Tammany Young's page
Norman Z. McLeodDirector, 3 films, 1932 to 1934
All films by Norman Z. McLeod
All films by Edward F. Cline
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.