Billy De Wolfe
(February 18, 1907 - March 5, 1974) U.S.A.
Actor
He was born William Andrew Jones in Wollaston, Massachusetts of Welsh born parents. His parents desired that he become a Baptist minister, but young Billy had already decided upon a performing career. He would 'hang out' at the local theatre/burlesque hall and eventually got a job as an usher.
One day, as a teenager, while practicing flips and rolls an acrobatic troupe leader asked if he wanted a job. He hired on immediately. His theatre manager boss told him Billy Jones would not work as a stage name and gave him his own name - William De Wolfe. He later became a dancer and impressionist and worked out a cabaret act with which he toured Europe for five years.
When he returned to the U.S. he developed his Mrs. Murgatroyd act which was a nightclub smash. From there it was vaudeville, radio, movies and television. His film debut came in Dixie (1943) as Mr. Bones, for which famed makeup artist Wally Westmore designed his trademark mustache.
He was known for being impeccably dressed, fastidious in demeanor, elegant in style and a master of diction. This came across in the unique characters he portrayed. He was a tall, dark haired gent with a meticulously groomed mustache and dark piercing eyes. Comedy roles were his forte and he was never given enough work in films. He appeared in under 20 films, yet was highly popular in each of them. He died of lung cancer on in Los Angeles, California at the age of 67.
Films:
- Duffy's Tavern (1945)
- Our Hearts Were Growing Up (1946)
- Miss Susie Slagle's (1946)
- Dear Ruth (1947)
- The Perils of Pauline (1947)
- Dear Wife (1949)
- Tea for Two (1950)
- Lullaby of Broadway (1951)
- Call Me Madam (1953)
- The World's Greatest Athlete (1973)
- Free to Be...You and Me (1974)
TV:
- The Imogene Coca Show (1954-55)
- That Girl! (1966-68)
- The Pruitt's of Southampton (1967)
- Good Morning, World (1967-68)
- The Queen and I (1969)
- The Doris Day Show (1969-73)
- The Betty White Show (1958)
- The Dick Van Dyke Show
- The Debbie Reynolds Show.
|
