A one-time news reporter for the Chicago American and New York Times, his talents as a writer were instrumental in establishing solid friendships with journalist Heywood Hale Broun and humorist Frank Sullivan, who helped him find initial work on radio.
Although his death in a single automobile crash was listed an accident, some say that Butterworth was extremely despondent over the death of close friend Robert Benchley a few months earlier and deliberately crashed his speeding car.
Appeared in several jazz-age Broadway musicals, including "Allez Oop (1927), "Good Boy" (1928) and "Sweet Adeline" (1929), before making films.
Buried in St. Joseph Valley cemetery in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana.
Close friends included fellow humorist Robert Benchley and Corey Ford.
Died of a fractured skull when he lost control of his speeding convertible on Sunset Boulevard and crashed into a lamp post.
Graduated from Notre Dame's law school in 1924 and passed the bar but decided against a law career and moved into journalism.
Twenty years later, became the inspiration for cereal icon Cap'n Crunch.
Was engaged to actress Natalie Schafer, who played Mrs. Thurston Howell III on "Gilligan's Island" (1964), at the time of his tragic death.