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William Bendix was not a son of Brooklyn, New York, although because of his stereotypical "Brooklyn accent" it has been widely supposed that he was. Bendix was actually born in the Borough of Manhattan , when he touchingly interprets the role of Gus, the shipwreck survivor whose gangrenous limb has to be removed, the absence of anesthesia notwithstanding.
Was a descendant of composer Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. This was revealed on the TV show "This Is Your Life" (1952) ; host Ralph Edwards awarded Bendix with a framed document signed by Mendelssohn.
Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA.
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 .
Screen, stage, radio, and television actor.
Biography in: "Whos Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 41-42. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
Chester A. Riley, Bendixs character on "The Life of Riley" , was ranked #30 in TV Guides list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].
His father was a veteran of the Spanish-American 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.
Graduated from Public School 5 in the Bronx and attended Townsend Harris High School for a brief spell.
Claims Babe Ruth had an affinity for hot dogs and young Bendix often was called upon to fetch them for him.
As a child he played the son of actress Lillian Walker in a silent film in 1911 (age 5).
Once a member of the Henry Street Players on New Yorks Lower East side.
Attracted the attention of producer Cheryl Walker in the late 1930s and appeared in six of her productions at the Theatre Guild.
Portraying Chester Riley on the popular "The Life of Riley" radio program from 1944-52, 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. Gleasons role as Riley lasted one season ( "The Life of Riley" ). Bendix, who starred in the rarely aired big-screen version The Life of Riley , would finally assume the TV role on NBCs "The Life of Riley" 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 was awarded two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 1638 Vine St. and for Television at 6251 Hollywood Blvd.
In the summer of 1961 the residents of Aurora East, OH, voted to name the town park after their favorite television performer--William Bendix. He made a personal appearance to dedicate "William Bendix Park".
Was a Boy Scout.
Was a staunch conservative Republican.
Father: Oscar Bendix; Mother: Hilda Carnell.
Films take tremendous pressure off--you can always reshoot a scene. But,on the stage you can work with a part, build it from performance to,performance. .
