Carl William Demarest (February 27, 1892 – December 27, 1983) was an American character actor, known especially for his roles in screwball comedies by

Preston Sturges Preston Sturges (; born Edmund Preston Biden; August 29, 1898 – August 6, 1959) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and film director. In 1941, he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film '' The Great McGinty'' (1940), h ...

and for playing Uncle Charley in the sitcom ''

My Three Sons ''My Three Sons'' is an American television sitcom that aired from September 29, 1960, to April 13, 1972. The series was broadcast on ABC during its first five seasons, before moving to CBS for the remaining seasons. ''My Three Sons'' chroni ...

'' Demarest, who frequently played crusty but good-hearted roles, was a prolific film and television actor, appearing in over 140 films, beginning in 1926 and ending in the late 1970s. Before his career in motion pictures, he performed in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

for two decades.Pareles, Jon (1983). "William Demarest, 91, Actor, Known for Roles in Comedies", obituary, ''The New York Times'', December 29, 1983, p. D19. Retrieved via subscription to

ProQuest ProQuest LLC is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based global information-content and technology company, founded in 1938 as University Microfilms by Eugene B. Power. ProQuest is known for its applications and information services for libraries, provid ...

Historical Newspapers (Ann Arbor, Michigan), August 27, 2022.

Early life

Carl William Demarest was born in

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. Situated on high bluffs overlooking a bend in the Mississippi River, Saint Paul is a regional business hub and the center ...

, the youngest of threes sons of Wilhelmina (née Lindgren) and Samuel Demarest. During William's infancy, the family moved to New Bridge, a

hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

in Bergen County, New Jersey. Demarest served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

Career

Demarest started in show business working in vaudeville, performing initially in his youth with his two older brothers and later with his wife Estelle Collette (real name Esther Zychlin) as "Demarest and Colette". He then moved to work in the "

legitimate theatre Legitimate theatre is live performance that relies almost entirely on diegetic elements, with actors performing through speech and natural movement.Joyce M. Hawkins and Robert Allen, eds. "Legitimate" entry. ''The Oxford Encyclopedic English Dict ...

" on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

. Demarest, by 1926 also began working in films, often in productions directed by

and as a member of a "stock" troupe of actors whom Sturges repeatedly cast in his screen projects. He appeared in ten films written by Sturges, eight of which were under his direction, including ''

The Lady Eve ''The Lady Eve'' is a 1941 American screwball comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.Sullivan's Travels ''Sullivan's Travels'' is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges. A satire on the film industry, it follows a famous Hollywood comedy director (Joel McCrea) who, longing to make a socially relevant drama, sets out to ...

'', and ''

The Miracle of Morgan's Creek ''The Miracle of Morgan's Creek'' is a 1944 American screwball comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Eddie Bracken and Betty Hutton, and featuring Diana Lynn, William Demarest and Porter Hall. Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamir ...

''. Demarest was such a familiar figure at the

Paramount Paramount (from the word ''paramount'' meaning "above all others") may refer to: Entertainment and music companies * Paramount Global, also known simply as Paramount, an American mass media company formerly known as ViacomCBS. The following busin ...

studio that just his name was used in the movie ''

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in ...

'' as a potential star for

William Holden William Holden (born William Franklin Beedle Jr.; April 17, 1918 – November 12, 1981) was an American actor, and one of the biggest box-office draws of the 1950s. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the film ''Stalag 17'' (1953) ...

's unsold baseball screenplay. Demarest appeared with veteran

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

film star

Roscoe Ates Roscoe Blevel Ates (January 20, 1895 – March 1, 1962) was an American vaudeville performer, actor of stage and screen, comedian and musician who primarily featured in western films and television. He was best known as western character S ...

in the 1958 episode "And the Desert Shall Blossom" of CBS's ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

''.

Don Grady William Demarest My Three Sons 1969

In 1959, Demarest was named the

lead actor A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...

of the 18-week sitcom ''

Love and Marriage "Love and Marriage" is a 1955 song with lyrics by Sammy Cahn and music by Jimmy Van Heusen. It is published by Barton Music Corporation ( ASCAP). Frank Sinatra versions "Love and Marriage" was introduced by Frank Sinatra in the 1955 televi ...

'' on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...

in the 1959–1960 season. Demarest played William Harris, the owner of a failing music company who refuses to handle popular

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...

music, which presumably might save the firm from bankruptcy. He played folksy Jeb Gaine, an occasional sidekick to the main character, in the 1961–62 season of the Western series '' Tales of Wells Fargo''. Demarest appeared as Police Chief Aloysius of the Santa Rosita Police Department in the film ''

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American comedy film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer with a story and screenplay by William Rose and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all-star cast of comedians, is a ...

'' (1963), as well as in a memorable episode ("

What's in the Box "What's in the Box" is episode 144 of the American television anthology series ''The Twilight Zone''. It originally aired on March 13, 1964 on CBS. In this episode, a man's television set displays his past, present, and future, revealing to him t ...

") of Rod Serling's ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

'', portraying a hen-pecked husband who murders his wife. His most famous television role was in the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

and then

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

sitcom ''

'' from 1965 to 1972, playing Uncle Charley O'Casey. He replaced

William Frawley William Clement Frawley (February 26, 1887 – March 3, 1966) was an American vaudevillian and actor best remembered for playing landlord Fred Mertz in the American television sitcom '' I Love Lucy'', "Bub" O'Casey in the television comedy ser ...

, whose failing health had made procuring insurance impossible. Demarest had worked with Fred MacMurray previously in the films ''

Hands Across the Table ''Hands Across the Table'' is a 1935 American romantic screwball comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and released by Paramount Pictures. It stars Carole Lombard as a manicurist looking for a rich husband and Fred MacMurray as a poor playboy, ...

'' (1935), ''

Pardon My Past ''Pardon My Past'' is a 1945 comedy film about a penniless veteran who gets mistaken for a millionaire by the latter's family and an unpaid Bookmaker, bookie. Plot Eddie York and Chuck Gibson are two ex-soldiers leaving the service to become mi ...

'' (1945), ''

On Our Merry Way ''On Our Merry Way'' is a 1948 American comedy film produced by Benedict Bogeaus and Burgess Meredith and released by United Artists. At the time of its release, King Vidor and Leslie Fenton were credited with its direction, although the DVD lis ...

'' (1948), and '' The Far Horizons'' (1955) and was a personal friend of MacMurray.

Awards

Demarest received a single

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

nomination for his

supporting role A supporting character is a character in a narrative that is not the focus of the primary storyline, but is important to the plot/protagonist, and appears or is mentioned in the story enough to be more than just a minor character or a cameo ap ...

in ''

The Jolson Story ''The Jolson Story'' is a 1946 American musical biography film which purports to tell the life story of singer Al Jolson. It stars Larry Parks as Jolson, Evelyn Keyes as Julie Benson (approximating Jolson's wife, Ruby Keeler), William Demares ...

'' (1946), playing

Al Jolson Al Jolson (born Eizer Yoelson; June 9, 1886 – October 23, 1950) was a Lithuanian-American Jewish singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. He was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1920s, and was self-billed ...

's fictional mentor. He had previously shared the screen with the real Al Jolson in ''

The Jazz Singer ''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolate ...

''. Demarest also received an Emmy nomination for the 1968–1969 season of ''

'' as Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Role. Demarest has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures, bestowed upon him on August 8, 1979, by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In attendance at the ceremony and then later at

Musso & Frank Grill Musso & Frank Grill is a restaurant located at 6667-9 Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The restaurant opened in 1919 and is named for original owners Joseph Musso and Frank Toulet. It is the oldest restaurant in H ...

for celebrations were his ''

'' co-stars Fred MacMurray and his wife

June Haver June Haver (born Beverly June Stovenour, June 10, 1926 – July 4, 2005) was an American film actress, singer, and dancer. Once groomed by 20th Century Fox to be "the next Betty Grable", Haver appeared in a string of musicals, but she never achie ...

Tina Cole Christina Yvonne Cole (born August 4, 1943) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her role as Katie Miller Douglas on the sitcom ''My Three Sons'' (1967–1972). Family Cole is the daughter of Yvonne King and Buddy Cole. ...

Stanley Livingston Stanley Bernard Livingston (born November 24, 1950) is an American actor, director, producer, editor and writer. Biography He is best known for playing Richard "Chip" Douglas, the third son of Steve Douglas (Fred MacMurray) on the television ...

Barry Livingston Barry Gordon Livingston (born December 17, 1953) is an American television and film actor, known for his role as Ernie Douglas on the television series ''My Three Sons'' (1963–72). He is the younger brother of actor/director Stanley Livings ...

, and

Dawn Lyn Dawn Lyn Nervik (born January 11, 1963) is an American former child actress who acted from age 4 to 15. She is best known for her role as Dodie Douglas during the last three seasons of the sitcom ''My Three Sons''. Her brother, Leif Garrett, is ...

. In 1998 a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.

Personal life and later years

Demarest was married twice. His first wife was his vaudeville partner Estelle Collette, born Esther Zichlin.''Jewish Chronicle of London'', January 14, 1927, issue and June 14, 1907, issue. Obituary of her first husband Samuel Gordon (b. 1871 Buk, Bavaria, German Empire, m. June 12, 1907, Miss Esther Zichlin, "a violinist of great promise. There was one child of the marriage, a daughter.", d. 1927 in Wandsworth, London, England). Demarest helped raise her daughter, author Phyllis Gordon Demarest, from her earlier marriage, in 1907, to English poet and novelist Samuel Gordon, who had divorced Zichlin before his death.''Jewish Chronicle of London'', April 3, 1908, issue. Demarest's second wife was Lucille Thayer, born Lucille Theurer, whom he married in

Prescott, Arizona Prescott ( ) is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2020 Census, the city's population was 45,827. The city is the county seat of Yavapai County. In 1864, Prescott was designated as the capital of the Arizona T ...

on August 31, 1942. Thayer, who later became an activist on health issues in the motion picture industry, was, in October 1960, appointed California's lay-chairman of the ANA fundraising campaign. Demarest's favorite recreations were hunting, fishing, golf, and playing the cello. According to ''Hollywood Be Thy Name'', the 1993 memoir of Jack Warner, Jr. and Cass Warner Sperling, Demarest claimed that

Sam Warner Samuel Louis Warner (born Szmuel Wonsal, August 10, 1885 – October 5, 1927) was an American film producer who was the co-founder and chief executive officer of Warner Bros. He established the studio along with his brothers Harry, Albert, and ...

was murdered by his own brothers. This allegation, leveled in 1977, was never corroborated, and Demarest's reliability was questioned because of his long dependence on alcohol.

Death

Demarest died at his home in Palm Springs, California on December 27, 1983, and his body was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from ...

. At the time of his death, he was suffering from prostate cancer and

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

Partial filmography

Features

* ''

When the Wife's Away When may refer to: * When?, one of the Five Ws, questions used in journalism * WHEN (AM), an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station in Syracuse, New York * WHEN-TV, the former call letters of TV station WTVH in Syracuse, New York Music * When (b ...

'' (1926) * '' Finger Prints'' (1927) as Cuffs Egan * ''

Don't Tell the Wife Don't Tell the Wife may refer to: * Don't Tell the Wife (1937 film) ''Don't Tell the Wife'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Christy Cabanne using a screenplay by Nat Perrin adapted from the play, ''Once Over Lightly'', written by Geor ...

'' (1927) as Ray Valerian * ''

The Gay Old Bird ''The Gay Old Bird'' is a 1927 American comedy film directed by Herman C. Raymaker and written by C. Graham Baker and Edward Clark. The film stars Louise Fazenda, John T. Murray, Jane Winton, William Demarest, John Steppling and Frances Ray ...

'' (1927) as Mr. Fixit * ''

Matinee Ladies ''Matinee Ladies'' was a 1927 American silent comedy film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Directed by Byron Haskin, the film starred May McAvoy and was Haskin's first directorial effort after having been a cinematographer. ''Matinee L ...

'' (1927) as Man-About-Town * '' A Million Bid'' (1927) as George Lamont * ''

Simple Sis ''Simple Sis'' is a 1927 American silent comedy-melodrama directed by Herman C. Raymaker and starring Louise Fazenda as a poor, plain laundress hoping for romance, supported by Clyde Cook as a shy suitor and Myrna Loy as a cruel beauty. No co ...

'' (1927) as Oscar * ''

The Black Diamond Express ''The Black Diamond Express'' is a 1927 silent railroad feature film drama directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Monte Blue. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is not to be confused with several early short actuality style ...

'' (1927) as Fireman * '' What Happened to Father?'' (1927) as Detective Dibbin * ''

The First Auto ''The First Auto'' is a 1927 film about the transition from horses to cars and the rift it causes in one family. It stars Charles Emmett Mack and Patsy Ruth Miller, with Barney Oldfield having a guest role in the movie. While mainly a silent f ...

'' (1927) as The Village Cut-Up * ''

The Bush Leaguer ''The Bush Leaguer'' is a lost 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Monte Blue and Leila Hyams. It was produced and distributed by the Warner Bros. and had a Vitaphone soundtrack of music and sound effect ...

'' (1927) as John Gilroy * ''

A Sailor's Sweetheart ''A Sailor's Sweetheart'' is a 1927 Warner Bros. silent film comedy directed by Lloyd Bacon. It stars Louise Fazenda and Clyde Cook. It was released with a Vitaphone soundtrack with a music score and sound effects. An incomplete print exists ...

'' (1927) as Detective * ''

'' (1927) as Buster Billings (uncredited) * '' A Reno Divorce'' (1927) as James, the chauffeur * '' Sharp Shooters'' (1928) as 'Hi Jack' Murdock * '' A Girl in Every Port'' (1928) as Man in Bombay (uncredited) * '' The Escape'' (1928) as Trigger Caswell * ''

Pay as You Enter ''Pay as You Enter'' is a 1928 American comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Louise Fazenda, Clyde Cook and William Demarest. Cast * Louise Fazenda as Mary Smith * Clyde Cook as Clyde Jones * William Demarest as 'Terrible Bill ...

'' (1928) as 'Terrible Bill' McGovern * ''

Five and Ten Cent Annie ''Five and Ten Cent Annie'' is a 1928 American silent comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Louise Fazenda, Clyde Cook and William Demarest. Cast * Louise Fazenda as Annie * Clyde Cook as Elmer Peck * William Demarest as Brig ...

'' (1928) as Briggs * ''

The Butter and Egg Man ''The Butter and Egg Man'' is a 1925 play by George S. Kaufman, the only play he wrote without collaborating. It was a Broadway hit during the 1925–26 season at the Longacre Theatre. Adapted to film six times, it is still performed on stages toda ...

'' (1928) as Jack McLure * '' The Crash'' (1928) as Louie * ''Seeing Things'' (1930) * ''

Fog Over Frisco ''Fog Over Frisco'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code drama film directed by William Dieterle. The screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Eugene Solow was based on the short story ''The Five Fragments'' by George Dyer. Plot Arlene Bradford (Bette Davis) is ...

'' (1934) as Spike Smith * '' Many Happy Returns'' (1934) as Brinker * ''

The Circus Clown ''The Circus Clown'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code comedy film about a man who wants to join the circus against the wishes of his ex-circus clown father. It stars Joe E. Brown and Patricia Ellis. Plot Young Happy Howard (Joe E. Brown) has been s ...

'' (1934) (scenes deleted) * '' Fugitive Lady'' (1934) as Steve Rogers * ''

After Office Hours ''After Office Hours'' is a 1935 crime drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Clark Gable and Constance Bennett. The screenplay was written by Herman Mankiewicz. Plot Jim Branch (Clark Gable), a newspaper editor, falls for wealt ...

'' (1935) as Police Detective (uncredited) * ''

The Casino Murder Case ''The Casino Murder Case'' is a 1934 novel written by S. S. Van Dine in the series about fictional detective Philo Vance. In this outing, a murder investigation is connected with a private casino on New York's Upper West Side, and the wealthy a ...

'' (1935) as Auctioneer (uncredited) * ''

The Murder Man ''The Murder Man'' is a 1935 American crime-drama film starring Spencer Tracy, Virginia Bruce, and Lionel Atwill, and directed by Tim Whelan. The picture was Tracy's first film in what would be a twenty-year career with MGM. Tracy plays an inves ...

'' (1935) as 'Red' Maguire * '' Bright Lights'' (1935) as Detective * ''

Diamond Jim ''Diamond Jim'' is a 1935 biographical film based on the published biography ''Diamond Jim Brady'' by Parker Morell. It follows the life of legendary entrepreneur James Buchanan Brady, including his romance with entertainer Lillian Russell, and s ...

'' (1935) as Harry Hill * ''

'' (1935) as Natty (uncredited) * '' White Lies'' (1935) as Roberts * ''

The Great Ziegfeld ''The Great Ziegfeld'' is a 1936 American musical drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Hunt Stromberg. It stars William Powell as the theatrical impresario Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld Jr., Luise Rainer as Anna Held, and ...

'' (1936) as Gene Buck (uncredited) * '' Wedding Present'' (1936) as 'Smiles' Benson * '' Love on the Run'' (1936) as Editor Lees Berger * ''

Charlie Chan at the Opera ''Charlie Chan at the Opera'' is considered by many to be the best Warner Oland Charlie Chan film, probably due to the presence of Boris Karloff as the principal suspect, as well as faux operatic music composed by Oscar Levant. This is the 13th fi ...

'' (1936) as Sgt. Kelly * ''

Mind Your Own Business "Mind your own business" is a common English saying which asks for a respect of other people's privacy. It strongly suggests that a person should stop interfering in what does not affect themselves. Contextually, it is often used in an argument or ...

'' (1936) as Droopy * ''

Time Out for Romance ''Time Out for Romance'' is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick, and starring Claire Trevor, Michael Whalen, Joan Davis, Chick Chandler, Douglas Fowley and Benny Bartlett ...

'' (1937) as Willoughby Sproggs * ''

'' (1937) as Larry 'Horace' Tucker * ''

Oh, Doctor ''Oh, Doctor'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Harry Clork and Brown Holmes. It is based on the 1923 novel ''Oh, Doctor!'' by Harry Leon Wilson. The film stars Edward Everett Horton, Donrue Leighton, Willia ...

'' (1937) as Marty Short * '' The Hit Parade'' (1937) as Parole Officer * '' The Great Hospital Mystery'' (1937) as Mr. Beatty * ''

The Great Gambini ''The Great Gambini'' is a 1937 American mystery film directed by Charles Vidor and written by Frederick J. Jackson, Frank Partos and Howard Irving Young. The film stars Akim Tamiroff, Marian Marsh, John Trent, Genevieve Tobin, Reginald Den ...

'' (1937) as Sergeant Kirby * '' Easy Living'' (1937) as Wallace Whistling * ''

Blonde Trouble ''Blonde Trouble'' is a 1937 American musical comedy film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs and Lynne Overman.Hischak p.209 Produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it is based on the plot of the ...

'' (1937) as Paul Sears * ''

Wake Up and Live Wake or The Wake may refer to: Culture *Wake (ceremony), a ritual which takes place during some funeral ceremonies *Wakes week, an English holiday tradition *Parish Wake, another name of the Welsh ', the fairs held on the local parish's patron sa ...

'' (1937) as Radio Station Attendant * '' Big City'' (1937) as Beecher * '' Rosalie'' (1937) as Army Coach * ''

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ''Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm'' is a classic American 1903 children's novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin that tells the story of Rebecca Rowena Randall and her aunts, one stern and one kind, in the fictional village of Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca's joy ...

'' (1938) as Henry Kipper * ''

Romance on the Run ''Romance on the Run'' is a 1938 American comedy crime film directed by Gus Meins and starring Donald Woods and Patricia Ellis. Plot A very expensive necklace known as the "Czarina's Tears" is stolen from Phelps' jewelry shop. The next morni ...

'' (1938) as Police Lt. Eckhardt * ''

One Wild Night "One Wild Night" is a song by American Rock music, rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on April 30, 2001, as a single from their 2001 live album, ''One Wild Night Live 1985–2001''. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, and produced ...

'' (1938) as Editor Collins * '' Josette'' (1938) as Joe, Diner Owner * ''

Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus ''Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline, based on the book of the same name by George W. Peck, one of his stories of Peck's Bad Boy. Plot summary Bill Peck receives ten dollars from his ...

'' (1938) as Daro * '' While New York Sleeps'' (1938) as Red Miller * ''

The Great Man Votes ''The Great Man Votes'' is a 1939 American drama film starring John Barrymore as a widowed professor turned drunkard who has the deciding vote in an election for mayor. It was based on the short story of the same name by Gordon Malherbe Hillman p ...

'' (1939) as Charles Dale * ''

King of the Turf ''King of the Turf'' is a 1939 American drama film starring Adolphe Menjou.''King of the Turf
at

'' (1939) as Arnold * ''

The Gracie Allen Murder Case ''The Gracie Allen Murder Case'' (1938) (also published as ''The Scent of Murder'') is the eleventh of twelve detective novels by S. S. Van Dine featuring his famous fictional detective of the 1920s and 1930s, Philo Vance. It also features the ...

'' (1939) as Police Sgt. Ernest Heath * ''

The Cowboy Quarterback ''The Cowboy Quarterback'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Fred Niblo, Jr. The film stars Bert Wheeler, Marie Wilson, Gloria Dickson, William Demarest, Eddie Foy, Jr. and William Hopper. The film was re ...

'' (1939) as Rusty Walker * ''

Miracles for Sale ''Miracles for Sale'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Tod Browning, and starring Robert Young and Florence Rice. It was Browning's final film as a director. The film is based on a locked-room mystery novel by well-known mystery wr ...

'' (1939) as Quinn * '' Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1939) as Bill Griffith * '' Laugh It Off'' (1939) as Barney 'Gimpy' Cole * ''

Wolf of New York ''Wolf of New York'' is a 1940 American crime film directed by William C. McGann and written by Gordon Kahn and Lionel Houser. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Rose Hobart, James Stephenson, Jerome Cowan, William Demarest and Maurice Murphy. The film ...

'' (1940) as Bill Ennis * '' The Farmer's Daughter'' (1940) as Victor Walsh * ''

The Great McGinty ''The Great McGinty'' is a 1940 political satire comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Brian Donlevy and Akim Tamiroff and featuring William Demarest and (in her final screen appearance) Muriel Angelus. It was Sturges's fir ...

'' (1940) as Skeeters – The Politician * '' Comin' Round the Mountain'' (1940) as Gutsy Mann * '' The Golden Fleecing'' (1940) as Swallow * ''

Christmas in July Christmas in July, Christmas in Summer or Christmas in Winter is a second Christmas celebration held around the summer season, mainly during July. It is centered around Christmas-themed activities and entertainment, including small gatherings, se ...

'' (1940) as Mr. Bildocker * ''

Little Men ''Little Men,'' or ''Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys,'' is a children's novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888), which was first published in 1871 by Roberts Brothers. The book reprises characters from her 1868–69 two-volume ...

'' (1940) as Constable Tom Thorpe * ''

The Lady Eve ''The Lady Eve'' is a 1941 American screwball comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda.The Devil and Miss Jones ''The Devil and Miss Jones'' is a 1941 comedy film starring Jean Arthur, Robert Cummings, and Charles Coburn. Directed by Sam Wood from a screenplay by Norman Krasna, the film was the product of an independent collaboration between Krasna and p ...

'' (1941) as First Detective * ''

Rookies on Parade ''Rookies on Parade'' is a 1941 Republic Pictures musical–comedy film that was the studios entry into the pre-World War II Army comedy genre. The Army technical advisor was Captain Jack Voglin who performed the same duty on the 1941 films '' ...

'' (1941) as Mike Brady * '' Ride on Vaquero'' (1941) as Bartender Barney * '' Country Fair'' (1941) as Stogie McPhee * '' Dressed to Kill'' (1941) as Inspector Pierson * '' All Through the Night'' (1941) as Sunshine * ''

Sullivan's Travels ''Sullivan's Travels'' is a 1941 American comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges. A satire on the film industry, it follows a famous Hollywood comedy director (Joel McCrea) who, longing to make a socially relevant drama, sets out to ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Jonas * '' Glamour Boy'' (1941) as Papa Doran * ''

True to the Army ''True to the Army'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Albert S. Rogell, written by Art Arthur, Bradford Ropes, Edmund L. Hartmann and Val Burton, and starring Judy Canova, Allan Jones, Ann Miller, Jerry Colonna, Clarence Kolb, Edwar ...

'' (1942) as Sgt. Butts * '' My Favorite Spy'' (1942) as Flower Pot Policeman * ''

Pardon My Sarong ''Pardon My Sarong'' is a 1942 comedy film starring Abbott and Costello. Plot Tommy Layton, a wealthy bachelor, rents a city bus to take him from Chicago to Los Angeles to participate in a yacht race to Hawai’i. The bus drivers, Algy and Welli ...

'' (1942) as Detective Kendall * ''

The Palm Beach Story ''The Palm Beach Story'' is a 1942 screwball comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, and starring Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Mary Astor and Rudy Vallée. Victor Young contributed the musical score, including a fast-paced variati ...

'' (1942) as First Member Ale and Quail Club * '' Behind the Eight Ball'' (1942) as McKenzie * ''

Life Begins at Eight-Thirty ''Life Begins at Eight-Thirty'' is a 1942 comedy-drama romance film starring Monty Woolley as a washed-up, alcoholic actor, Ida Lupino as his daughter, and Cornel Wilde as her boyfriend. It is based on the West End play ''The Light of Heart'' by ...

'' (1942) as Police Officer * ''

Johnny Doughboy ''Johnny Doughboy'' is a 1942 American black-and-white musical comedy film directed by John H. Auer for Republic Pictures. It stars Jane Withers in a dual role as a 16-year-old actress who is sick of playing juvenile roles, and her lookalike fan ...

'' (1942) as Harry Fabian * ''

Stage Door Canteen The Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district of New York City throughout World War II. Founded by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) in 1942, the entertainers we ...

'' (1943) as William Demarest * ''

Dangerous Blondes ''Dangerous Blondes'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Leigh Jason and written by Richard Flournoy and Jack Henley.The film stars Allyn Joslyn and Evelyn Keyes, and was released by Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries ...

'' (1943) as Detective Gatling * '' True to Life'' (1943) as Uncle Jake * ''

'' (1944) as Constable Edmund Kockenlocker * ''

Nine Girls ''Nine Girls'' is a 1944 American mystery film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Ann Harding, Evelyn Keyes and Jinx Falkenburg.Blottner p.167 Karen DeWolf, Connie Lee, and Al Martin wrote the script, which was based on a play by Wilfred H. Peti ...

'' (1944) as Walter Cummings * ''

Once Upon a Time "Once upon a time" is a stock phrase used to introduce a narrative of past events, typically in fairy tales and folk tales. It has been used in some form since at least 1380 (according to the ''Oxford English Dictionary'') in storytelling in t ...

'' (1944) as Brandt * ''

Hail the Conquering Hero ''Hail the Conquering Hero'' (1944) is a satirical comedy-drama film written and directed by Preston Sturges, starring Eddie Bracken, Ella Raines and William Demarest, and featuring Raymond Walburn, Franklin Pangborn, Elizabeth Patterson ...

'' (1944) as Sgt. Heffelfinger * '' The Great Moment'' (1944) as Eben Frost * ''

Salty O'Rourke ''Salty O'Rourke'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Alan Ladd and Gail Russell. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1946. Plot In New Orleans, racetrack gambler Salty O'Rourke is pursued by gangster Doc Ba ...

'' (1945) as Smitty * '' Along Came Jones'' (1945) as George Fury * ''

Duffy's Tavern ''Duffy's Tavern'' is an American radio situation comedy that ran for a decade on several networks ( CBS, 1941–42; NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast. The program often featured ...

'' (1945) as HImself * ''

'' (1945) as Chuck Gibson * ''

Our Hearts Were Growing Up ''Our Hearts Were Growing Up'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by William D. Russell and written by Melvin Frank, Norman Panama and Frank Waldman. It is the sequel to the 1944 film ''Our Hearts Were Young and Gay''. The film stars Gail ...

'' (1946) as Peanuts Schultz * ''

'' (1946) as Steve Martin * '' The Perils of Pauline'' (1947) as George 'Mac' McGuire * ''

Variety Girl ''Variety Girl'' is a 1947 American musical comedy film directed by George Marshall and starring Mary Hatcher, Olga San Juan, DeForest Kelley, Frank Ferguson, Glenn Tryon, Nella Walker, Torben Meyer, Jack Norton, and William Demarest. It was ...

'' (1947) as Barker * ''

'' (1948) as Floyd * '' The Sainted Sisters'' (1948) as Vern Tewilliger * ''

Night Has a Thousand Eyes ''Night Has a Thousand Eyes'' is a 1948 American horror film directed by John Farrow and starring Edward G. Robinson, Gail Russell and John Lund. The screenplay was written by Barré Lyndon and Jonathan Latimer. The film is based on the nov ...

'' (1948) as Lieut. Shawn * ''

Whispering Smith ''Whispering Smith'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Alan Ladd as a railroad detective assigned to stop a gang of train robbers. The supporting cast includes Robert Preston, Brenda Marshall and Donald C ...

'' (1948) as Bill Dansing * ''

Sorrowful Jones ''Sorrowful Jones'', also known as ''Damon Runyon's Sorrowful Jones'', is a 1949 American comedy-drama film directed by Sidney Lanfield. The film stars Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. ''Sorrowful Jones'' was a remake of a 1934 Shirley Temple film, '' ...

'' (1949) as Regret * ''

Jolson Sings Again ''Jolson Sings Again'' is a 1949 American musical biographical film directed by Henry Levin, and the sequel to ''The Jolson Story'' (1946), both of which cover the life of singer Al Jolson. It was the highest-grossing film of 1949 and received ...

'' (1949) as Steve Martin * ''

Red, Hot and Blue ''Red, Hot and Blue'' is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It premiered on Broadway in 1936 and introduced the popular song " It's De-Lovely," sung by Ethel Merman and Bob Hope. ...

'' (1949) as Charlie Baxter, Press Agent * ''

When Willie Comes Marching Home ''When Willie Comes Marching Home'' is a 1950 World War II comedy film directed by John Ford and starring Dan Dailey and Corinne Calvet. It is based on the 1945 short story "When Leo Comes Marching Home" by Sy Gomberg. The film won the Golden L ...

'' (1950) as Herman Kluggs * '' Riding High'' (1950) as Happy * '' Never a Dull Moment'' (1950) as Mears * ''

He's a Cockeyed Wonder ''He's a Cockeyed Wonder'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Peter Godfrey and written by Jack Henley. The film stars Mickey Rooney, Terry Moore, William Demarest, Charles Arnt, Ross Ford and Ned Glass. The film was released on Decemb ...

'' (1950) as Bob Sears * ''

The First Legion ''The First Legion'' is a 1951 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk and written by Emmet Lavery. The film stars Charles Boyer, William Demarest, Lyle Bettger, Walter Hampden, Barbara Rush, Wesley Addy, H. B. Warner and Leo G. Carroll. ...

'' (1951) as Monsignor Michael Carey * '' Excuse My Dust'' (1951) as Harvey Bullitt * ''

The Strip The Las Vegas Strip is a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South in Clark County, Nevada, that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. The Strip, as it is known, is about long, and is immediately south of the Las Vegas city ...

'' (1951) as Fluff * '' Behave Yourself!'' (1951) as Officer O'Ryan * ''

What Price Glory What Price Glory? may refer to: * ''What Price Glory?'' (1926 film), directed by Raoul Walsh * ''What Price Glory'' (1952 film), directed by John Ford * ''What Price Glory?'' (play), a 1924 play by Maxwell Anderson and Laurence Stallings; basis for ...

'' (1952) as Cpl. Kiper * ''

The Blazing Forest ''The Blazing Forest'' is a 1952 American lumberjack adventure film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Lewis R. Foster and Winston Miller. The film stars John Payne, William Demarest, Agnes Moorehead, Richard Arlen, Susan Morrow, Roscoe At ...

'' (1952) as Syd Jessup * ''

The Lady Wants Mink ''The Lady Wants Mink'' is a 1953 American comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and written by Dane Lussier and Richard Alan Simmons. The film stars Dennis O'Keefe, Ruth Hussey, Eve Arden, William Demarest, Gene Lockhart and Hope Emerson. ...

'' (1953) as Harvey Jones * '' Dangerous When Wet'' (1953) as Pa Higgins * '' Here Come the Girls'' (1953) as Dennis Logan * ''

Escape from Fort Bravo ''Escape from Fort Bravo'' is a 1953 American Anscocolor Western film set during the American Civil War. It stars William Holden, Eleanor Parker, and John Forsythe. Plot Fort Bravo is a Union prison camp with a strict disciplinarian named Cap ...

'' (1953) as Campbell * ''

The Yellow Mountain ''The Yellow Mountain'' is a 1954 American Western film directed by Jesse Hibbs and starring Lex Barker, Mala Powers and Howard Duff. Plot Two former partners ("Andy Martin" and "Pete Menlo") from a previous mining claim are working in the st ...

'' (1954) as Jackpot Wray * ''

Jupiter's Darling ''Jupiter's Darling'' is a 1955 American Eastman Color musical romance film released by MGM and directed by George Sidney filmed in CinemaScope. It starred Esther Williams as the Roman woman Amytis, Howard Keel as Hannibal, the Carthaginian mi ...

'' (1955) as Mago * '' The Far Horizons'' (1955) as Sgt. Gass * ''

The Private War of Major Benson ''The Private War of Major Benson'' is 1955 comedy film starring Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, Sal Mineo and Tim Hovey, about a tough-talking U.S. Army officer who must shape up the JROTC program at Sheridan Academy, a Catholic boys' military a ...

'' (1955) as John * ''

Lucy Gallant ''Lucy Gallant'' is a 1955 American drama film directed by Robert Parrish and written by John Lee Mahin and Winston Miller. The film stars Jane Wyman, Charlton Heston, Claire Trevor, Thelma Ritter, William Demarest and Wallace Ford. The film wa ...

'' (1955) as Charles Madden * '' Sincerely Yours'' (1955) as Sam Dunne * ''

Hell on Frisco Bay ''Hell on Frisco Bay'' is a 1956 American CinemaScope film noir crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Alan Ladd, Edward G. Robinson and Joanne Dru. It was made for Ladd's own production company, Jaguar. The film featured an early ...

'' (1956) as Dan Bianco * ''

The Rawhide Years ''The Rawhide Years'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Rudolph Mate and starring Tony Curtis. Colleen Miller and Arthur Kennedy.The Mountain The Mountain (french: La Montagne) was a political group during the French Revolution. Its members, called the Montagnards (), sat on the highest benches in the National Convention. They were the most radical group and opposed the Girondins. Th ...

'' (1956) as Father Belacchi * ''

Pepe Pepe is a pet form of the Spanish name José (Josep). It is also a surname. * People Mononyms * Pepe (footballer, born 1935), real name José Macia, Brazilian footballer *Pepe (footballer, born 1983), real name Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira ...

'' (1960) as Movie Studio Gateman * ''

The Big Bankroll ''King of the Roaring 20s: The Story of Arnold Rothstein'' is a 1961 American, biopic, drama, crime film directed by Joseph M. Newman, produced by Samuel Bischoff and starring David Janssen, Dianne Foster, Diana Dors and Jack Carson. During the ...

'' (1961) as Henry Hecht * ''

Twenty Plus Two ''Twenty Plus Two'' (a.k.a. ''It Started in Tokyo'') is a 1961 American mystery film directed by Joseph M. Newman and starring David Janssen, Jeanne Crain, and Dina Merrill. The film adapted Frank Gruber's 1961 novel of the same title. Plot Ja ...

'' (1961) as Desmond Slocum * '' Son of Flubber'' (1963) as Mr. Hummel * ''

'' (1963) as Aloysius, Chief of the Santa Rosita Police Department * ''

Viva Las Vegas ''Viva Las Vegas'' is a 1964 American musical film directed by George Sidney and starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. The film is regarded by fans and film critics as one of Presley's best films, and it is noted for the on-screen chemistry be ...

'' (1964) as Mr. Martin * ''

That Darn Cat ''That Darn Cat!'' is a 1965 American thriller comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Hayley Mills and Dean Jones in a story about bank robbers, a kidnapping and a mischievous cat; produced by Walt Disney Productions. The fil ...

'' (1965) as Mr. MacDougall * '' Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'' (1973) as Mr. Harris * ''

The Wild McCullochs ''The Wild McCullochs'' is a 1975 American drama film written and directed by Max Baer Jr. and starring Forrest Tucker, Julie Adams, Max Baer Jr., Janice Heiden, Dennis Redfield and Don Grady. The film was released on May 21, 1975, by American ...

'' (1975) as Father Gurkin * ''

Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood ''Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood'' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by Michael Winner, and starring Bruce Dern, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr and Art Carney. Spoofing the craze surrounding Rin Tin Tin, the film is notable for the lar ...

'' (1976) as Studio Gatekeeper

Short subjects

* ''A Night at Coffee Dan's'' (1927) as M.C. * ''Amateur Night'' (1927) as Theatre Manager * ''The Night Court'' (1927) as Defense Counsel (uncredited) * ''Seeing Things'' (1930) * ''The Run Around'' (1932)

Television

* ''

The Danny Thomas Show ''The Danny Thomas Show'' (titled ''Make Room for Daddy'' for its first three seasons) is an American sitcom that ran from 1953 to 1957 on ABC and from 1957 to 1964 on CBS. Starring Danny Thomas as a successful night club entertainer, the show f ...

'' in 5 episodes (1957–1958) as Mr. Daly * '' The Rebel'' in "The Hope Chest (1960) as Ulysses Bowman * ''

'' (1959–1960) as William Harris * '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' (1961–1962) as Jeb Gaine * ''

Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest tak ...

'' in "The Slasher" (1963) as Marty * '' Bonanza'' in the episode "The Hayburner" (1963) as Enos Milford * '' Bonanza'' in the episode "Old Sheba" (1964) as Angus Tweedy * ''

'' in the episode "What's in the Box?" (1964) as Joe Britt * ''

'' (215 episodes, 1965–1972) as Uncle Charley O'Casey * ''

McMillan and Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976–77) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the ...

'' wo Dollars on Trouble to WinS2/Ep07 (1973) as Uncle Cyrus

Radio appearances

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Demarest, William 1892 births 1983 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors American male television actors American male stage actors Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from prostate cancer Deaths from pneumonia in California Male actors from Saint Paul, Minnesota Military personnel from Minnesota People from Bergen County, New Jersey Vaudeville performers 20th-century American male actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) United States Army personnel of World War I Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players Paramount Pictures contract players