William Bendix
Biography
William Bendix was an American actor who worked in film, radio, and television and specialized in rough, blue-collar roles. Born in Manhattan, he began acting at 30 with the New Jersey Federal Theatre Project and made his film debut in 1942. Early supporting parts included films noir such as The Glass Key (1942), and he gained attention as a wounded sailor in Lifeboat (1944). He took the lead in The Hairy Ape (1944) and appeared in The Blue Dahlia (1946). His role in Wake Island (1942) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other films included The Time of Your Life (1948), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949), and The Babe Ruth Story (1948), where he played Babe Ruth. Bendix was best known on radio and television as Chester A. Riley in The Life of Riley, a radio hit from 1944 to 1951 and a television series from 1953 to 1958. He died in 1964.
58years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
Movie Career
- Films
- 22
- Career span
- 22 years1940 to 1962
Genres
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A role that slipped away
Bendix could not take the part on television because he was committed to a film. Jackie Gleason got the role instead, and it aired for one season starting in October 1949.
First role
Bendix was 30 when he began acting in the New Jersey Federal Theatre Project. His first film role came in 1942.
A change of course
Bendix worked as a batboy for the New York Yankees in the early 1920s. He lost the job after bringing Babe Ruth the hot dogs and soda Ruth asked for before a game, which kept Ruth from playing that day.
Beyond film
Bendix often exclaimed in indignation, "What a revoltin' development this is!", and it turned into one of the 1940s catchphrases. Benjamin J. Grimm of the Fantastic Four later reused it.
William Bendix movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Raoul Walsh directed two of these films, Michael Gordon two and John Farrow two. Frank Faylen appears in four 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
Frank Faylen's page
Alan Ladd's page
Robert Mitchum's page
Chet Brandenburg's page
Brian Donlevy's page
Minor Watson's page
All films by Raoul Walsh
All films by Michael Gordon
John FarrowDirector, 2 films, 1942 to 1946
All films by John Farrow
Also two films together15 more actors
- Eddie AcuffGuadalcanal Diary (1943) and They Drive by Night (1940)
- George RaftRace Street (1948) and They Drive by Night (1940)
- Patric KnowlesThe Big Steal (1949) and Who Done It? (1942)
- Thomas GomezMacao (1952) and Who Done It? (1942)
- Reed HadleyThe Dark Corner (1946) and Guadalcanal Diary (1943)
- Tom PowersThe Time of Your Life (1948) and The Blue Dahlia (1946)
- Hugh BeaumontThe Blue Dahlia (1946) and Wake Island (1942)
- Chuck HamiltonThe Dark Corner (1946) and The Glass Key (1942)
- Howard FreemanThe Time of Your Life (1948) and The Blue Dahlia (1946)
- Roscoe KarnsWoman of the Year (1942) and They Drive by Night (1940)
- Mary FieldA Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949) and The Dark Corner (1946)
- Nacho GalindoMacao (1952) and The Big Steal (1949)
- Barbara BrittonCover Up (1949) and Wake Island (1942)
- Veronica LakeThe Blue Dahlia (1946) and The Glass Key (1942)
- Gale PageThe Time of Your Life (1948) and They Drive by Night (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.