William Bendix

format_quote 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.

stars  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".

stars  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. Gleason's role as Riley lasted one season (The Life of Riley (1949)). Bendix, who starred in the rarely aired big-screen version The Life of Riley (1949), would finally assume the TV role on NBC's The Life of Riley (1953) 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.

stars  Attracted the attention of producer Cheryl Walker in the late 1930s and appeared in six of her productions at the Theatre Guild.

stars  Once a member of the Henry Street Players on New York's Lower East side.

stars  As a child he played the son of actress Lillian Walker in a silent film in 1911 (age 5).