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William Bendix
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| Nickname: | Bill |
| Known for: | Lifeboat, Detective Story, Woman of the Year |
| Birthday: | 14 January 1906, New York, New York, USA |
| Height: | 5' 8" (1.73 m) |
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Trivia
Bendix was a descendant of composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. This was revealed on TV show "This Is Your Life" (1952); host Ralph Edwards awarded Bendix with a framed document signed by Mendelssohn.
In 1922, when he was 15, Bendix was a bat boy for the New York Yankees, and became a favorite of Babe Ruth, who entrusted Bendix with various personal errands. Years later, in 1948, Bendix played Ruth in The Babe Ruth Story (1948).
Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 41-42. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
His father was a veteran of the Spanish-America War and a musician who performed in local New York bands. Another relative, Max Bendix, was a violinist who once conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.
Claims Babe Ruth had an affinity for hot dogs and young Bendix often was called upon to fetch them for him.
Once a member of the Henry Street Players on New York's Lower East side.
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. 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.
In the summer of 1961 the residents of Aurora East, Ohio voted to name the town park after their favorite Television Performer, William Bendix. He made a personal appearance to dedicate "William Bendix Park".
External Resources:
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