William Bendix Overview:

Legendary character actor, William Bendix, was born on Jan 14, 1906 in New York City, NY. Bendix died at the age of 58 on Dec 14, 1964 in Los Angeles, CA and was laid to rest in San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, CA.

MINI BIO:

Likeable American character star, with fair, wavy hair and soft, Brooklynese voice, built like a barrel, and often cast as amiable, dimwitted thugs. Appeared in a memorable series of Paramount thrillers in the forties, but his later success in comedy meant his virtual loss to TV from 1953 on. Died from lobar pneumonia. Oscar nominee for Wake Island.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

.

Although Bendix was nominated for one Oscar, he never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1942Best Supporting ActorWake Island (1942)Smacksie RandallNominated
.

He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Radio and Television.

William Bendix BlogHub Articles:

Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, and William Bendix star in “Detective Story”

By Stephen Reginald on Apr 18, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, and William Bendix star in “Detective Story” Detective Story (1951) is an American drama directed by William Wyler and starring Kirk Douglas, Eleanor Parker, and William Bendix. The supporting cast includes Cathy O’Donnell, George Macready, Lee Gr... Read full article


See all William Bendix articles

William Bendix Quotes:

Jeff: Hey, Rusty, Little Rubber Ball is back. I told you he liked the way we bounced him around.


Victor O'Brien: What a revoltin' development this is!


Van Morgan Duff: [to Quinn] I never did like you. You talk too fast and too much.


read more quotes from William Bendix...



Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Also a Capricorn






See All Capricorns >>
Best Supporting Actor Oscar 1942






See more Best Supporting Actor awards>>
William Bendix on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame




See All Walk of Fame Stars >>
William Bendix Facts
Portraying Chester Riley on the popular "The Life of Riley" radio program from 1944-1952, Bendix was initially prevented from recreating his role for TV due to contractual restrictions. Jackie Gleason played the role when the program first aired, but Bendix subsequently took over the part after the show failed to get decent ratings. Gleason's role as Riley lasted one season ("The Life of Riley" (1949)). Bendix, who starred in the rarely aired big-screen version The Life of Riley (1949), would finally assume the TV role on NBC's "The Life of Riley" (1953) four years later. The show became a huge success and ran another five seasons. In a similar turn, Bendix replaced Gleason in the Broadway musical "Take Me Along" in 1960.

He attracted the attention of producer Cheryl Walker in the late 1930s and appeared in six of her productions at the Theatre Guild.

Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA.

See All Related Facts >>