William Bendix

William Bendix
Paramount Pictures

Stars

William Bendix
TV: North side of the 6200 block of Hollywood Boulevard
William Bendix
Radio: East side of the 1600 block of Vine Street
Actor
Born Jan. 14, 1906 in New York, NY
Died Dec. 14, 1964 of pneumonia in Encino, Calif.

William Bendix was perhaps best known for his role as the beleaguered Chester A. Riley in radio and television's "The Life of Riley."

Though never cast as a true leading man, Bendix starred in "The Hairy Ape" in 1944 and memorably portrayed the preeminent New York Yankee in 1948's "The Babe Ruth Story." Some critics have assailed the Ruth film for whitewashing the slugger's life, but it always had special meaning for Bendix.

In 1922, at the age of 15, Bendix was a batboy for the New York Giants, who shared the Polo Grounds with the Yankees. He soon became a favorite of Ruth's, shining his shoes and running his errands.

— Dade Hayes in the Los Angeles Times May 2, 1997

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Points of interest

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    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1942 Best Supporting Actor Wake Island Nomination

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