Brooks Benedict (born Harold J. Mann, February 6, 1896 – January 1, 1968) was an American actor of the silent and sound film eras, when he played supporting and utility roles in over 300 films, mostly uncredited.

Life

He was born to Alice Julian and Samuel Mann. He attended Princeton University for two years, and was a member of its football team. He then joined the American Ambulance Corps in France for six months at the height of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

. Upon return and after the

Selective Service Act of 1917 The Selective Service Act of 1917 or Selective Draft Act () authorized the United States federal government to raise a national army for service in World War I through conscription. It was envisioned in December 1916 and brought to President ...

, he enlisted and served as a private in the

U.S. Army Air Service The United States Army Air Service (USAAS)Craven and Cate Vol. 1, p. 9 (also known as the ''"Air Service"'', ''"U.S. Air Service"'' and before its legislative establishment in 1920, the ''"Air Service, United States Army"'') was the aerial war ...

(632 Aero Sq., 144 Aero Sq., Sq. I Kelly Field, Sq. C Gerstner Field; Flying School Detachment). Benedict then went to Hollywood and pursued different jobs until his starting role in

William Wellman William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and military pilot. He was known for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on a ...

's movie ''

Cupid's Fireman ''Cupid's Fireman'' is a 1923 American silent action drama film directed by William A. Wellman and produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation The Fox Film Corporation (also known as Fox Studios) was an American Independent film producti ...

'' (1923) at Fox Film Corporation. His first major role came later opposite

Harold Lloyd Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. (April 20, 1893 – March 8, 1971) was an American actor, comedian, and stunt performer who appeared in many silent comedy films.Obituary '' Variety'', March 10, 1971, page 55. One of the most influential film c ...

in '' The Freshman / College Days'' (1925) as the Campus Cad. He continued to appear with Lloyd and other prominent silent era stars in the 1920s During World War II and throughout the 1940s, he appeared in more than 130 movies, where he was limited to utility roles in all but three. During this time, in an interview published in the ''Prescott Evening Courier'', he and Howard R. Philbrick (Chief Casting Executive) explain the challenges faced by some 7000 extras in 1940 Hollywood. In later stages of his career, he extended his work to television, appearing as a regular in such series as the ''

Four Star Playhouse ''Four Star Playhouse'' is an American anthology series that ran from 1952 to 1956. Four Star Playhouse was owned by Four Star International. Its episodes ranged anywhere from surreal mysteries, such as "The Man on the Train", to light comedie ...

'' (1956). His last performance was in the movie ''

Houseboat A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Most houseboats are not motorized as they are usually moored or kept stationary at a fixed point, and often tethered to land to provide utilities. Ho ...

'' (1958). As of 1940, he was married to Marjorie Benedict in Los Angeles. He died at 12:05 am January 1, 1968, in Bellaire General Hospital in Houston, Texas, due to myocardial infarction after a history of arteriosclerosis and rheumatic heart disease.

Gallery

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (1923) - Bill Evans * ''

The Only Woman ''The Only Woman'' is a 1924 American silent drama film produced by Joseph M. Schenck for Norma Talmadge Productions and distributed by First National. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Norma Talmadge as the leading woman.The Love Gamble ''The Love Gamble'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Edward LeSaint and starring Lillian Rich, Robert Frazer and Pauline Garon.Munden p.456 Cast * Lillian Rich as Peggy Mason * Robert Frazer as Douglas Wyman * Pauline Garon as J ...

'' (1925) * ''

His Master's Voice His Master's Voice (HMV) was the name of a major British record label created in 1901 by The Gramophone Co. Ltd. The phrase was coined in the late 1890s from the title of a painting by English artist Francis Barraud, which depicted a Jack Russ ...

'' (1925) * '' The Freshman'' (1925) * ''

Why Girls Go Back Home ''Why Girls Go Back Home'' is a lost 1926 American silent comedy drama film produced and distributed by Warner Bros. James Flood directed and Patsy Ruth Miller and Clive Brook starred. Myrna Loy has a feature role. The film is a sequel to War ...

'' (1926, lost) * ''

Tramp, Tramp, Tramp ''Tramp, Tramp, Tramp'' is a 1926 American silent film, silent comedy film directed by Harry Edwards (director), Harry Edwards and starring Harry Langdon and Joan Crawford. Premise The film tells of Harry (Langdon) a ne'er-do-well who falls in ...

'' (1926) * '' College Days'' (1926) * '' Ranson's Folly'' (1926) * ''

The Strong Man ''The Strong Man'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Harry Langdon. Along with '' Tramp, Tramp, Tramp'', ''The Strong Man'' is Langdon's best known film. Capra would also direct Langdon's next feature, ''Long Pants'' (1927), which ...

'' (1926) (uncredited) * '' Going the Limit'' (1926) * ''

Orchids and Ermine Orchids and Ermine is a 1927 silent film comedy starring Colleen Moore, filmed partly on location in New York. The film still exists. This was Mickey Rooney's first feature-length film (his first film being a short subject released in 1926). S ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Drop Kick ''The Drop Kick'' (also known as ''Glitter'' in the UK) is a 1927 silent film directed by Millard Webb written by Katherine Brush about a college football player (Richard Barthelmess). It was one of the early films of John Wayne who was only a ...

'' (1927) * ''

Backstage Backstage most commonly refers to backstage (theatre), also in motion picture and television production. Backstage may also refer to: Film and television * ''Back Stage'' (1969 film), a silent film starring Oliver Hardy * ''Back Stage'' (1942 fil ...

'' (1927) * '' The Kid Sister'' (1927) * ''

Lost at the Front ''Lost at the Front'' is a 1927 American comedy film directed by Del Lord and written by Hampton Del Ruth, Frank Griffin and Ralph Spence. The film stars George Sidney, Charles Murray, Natalie Kingston, John Kolb, Max Asher and Brooks Benedic ...

'' (1927) * '' The Gorilla'' (1927) * '' Speedy'' (1928) * ''

The Cowboy Kid ''The Cowboy Kid'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Clyde Carruth and written by James J. Tynan. The film stars Rex Bell, Mary Jane Temple, Brooks Benedict, Alice Belcher, Joseph De Grasse and Syd Crossley. The film was relea ...

'' (1928) * ''

Moran of the Marines ''Moran of the Marines'' is a lost 1928 American comedy silent film directed by Frank R. Strayer and written by Ray Harris, Agnes Brand Leahy, George Marion Jr., Sam Mintz and Linton Wells. The film stars Richard Dix, Ruth Elder, Roscoe Kar ...

'' (1928) * ''

Clear the Decks ''Clear the Decks'' is a 1929 American comedy film directed by Joseph Henabery and written by Earle Snell, Gladys Lehman, Albert DeMond and Charles Henry Smith. It is based on the 1926 novel ''When the Devil Was Sick'' by E.J. Rath. The film s ...

'' (1929) * ''

The Sophomore ''The Sophomore'' is a 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Eddie Quillan, Sally O'Neil and Jeanette Loff.Munden p.747 Made during the early sound era, it was shot using the RCA Photophone sound system with a se ...

'' (1929) * '' Street of Chance'' (1930) * ''

Recaptured Love ''Recaptured Love'' is a 1930 early talkie pre-Code musical drama film based on the play ''Misdeal'' by Basil Woon about a man who experiences a mid life crisis that results in his divorce. It stars Belle Bennett and John Halliday. Plot In this ...

'' (1930) * '' The Office Wife'' (1930) * '' Derelict'' (1930) * ''

The Widow from Chicago ''The Widow from Chicago'' is a 1930 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Edward F. Cline and starring Alice White, Edward G. Robinson, Neil Hamilton, and Frank McHugh. It was released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of War ...

'' (1930) * '' Gun Smoke'' (1931) * '' Reckless Living'' (1931) * ''

Girl Crazy ''Girl Crazy'' is a 1930 musical by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. Ethel Merman made her stage debut in the first production and co-lead Ginger Rogers became an overnight star. Rich in song, ...

'' (1932) * ''

What Price Hollywood? ''What Price Hollywood?'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Constance Bennett with Lowell Sherman. The screenplay by Gene Fowler, Rowland Brown, Jane Murfin and Ben Markson is based on a story by A ...

'' (1932) * ''

Cheating Blondes ''Cheating Blondes'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Joseph Levering and starring Thelma Todd, Ralf Harolde and Inez Courtney.Handzo, p. 52 Cast * Thelma Todd as Anne Merrick / Elaine Manners * Ralf Harolde as Lawson Rolt ...

'' (1933) * ''

No Other Woman ''No Other Woman'' is a 2011 Filipino romantic drama film starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay, and Cristine Reyes. The film is notable for breaking box office records in the Philippines. It currently holds the title of third highest grossing Fi ...

'' (1933) * ''

Picture Brides ''Picture Brides'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code adventure film, directed by Phil Rosen. The film stars Dorothy Mackaill, Regis Toomey and Alan Hale. Plot Four mail order brides from New Orleans and a young girl conned into a non-existing job in ...

'' (1934) * ''

Buried Loot ''Buried Loot'' is a 1935 American crime film, the first installment of 50 shorts in the ''Crime Does Not Pay'' series produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released to theaters between 1935 and 1947.Kehr, David (2012)"Justice Served, Justice Blurr ...

'' (1935) * ''

Murder on a Honeymoon ''Murder on a Honeymoon'' is a 1935 American mystery film starring Edna May Oliver and James Gleason. This was the third and last time Oliver portrayed astute schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers; the two previous films were ''The Penguin Pool Murder ...

'' (1935) * ''

Follow the Fleet ''Follow the Fleet'' is a 1936 American RKO musical comedy film with a nautical theme starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their fifth collaboration as dance partners. It also features Randolph Scott, Harriet Hilliard, and Astrid Allwyn, ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Affairs of Annabel ''The Affairs of Annabel'' is a 1938 comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Lucille Ball and Jack Oakie. The film was followed by the sequel '' Annabel Takes a Tour'' the same year, also starring Oakie, Ball and Donnelly. Plot Won ...

'' (1938) * ''

Rose of Washington Square ''Rose of Washington Square'' is a 1939 American musical drama film, featuring the already well-known popular song with the same title. Set in 1920s New York City, the film focuses on singer Rose Sargent and her turbulent relationship with con ar ...

'' (1939)''Great Movie Musicals on DVD'' - A Classic Movie Fan's Guide
by John Howard Reid - Google search with book preview * '' Laugh It Off'' (1939) * ''

I Take This Oath ''I Take This Oath'' is a 1940 American crime drama film directed by Sam Newfield under the pseudonym of Sherman Scott. Featuring Gordon Jones and Joyce Compton, it was the first release by Producers Releasing Corporation. In 1952, Pictorial Fil ...

'' / ''Police Rookie'' (1940) * ''

Enemy Agent ''Enemy Agent'' is a 1940 American spy thriller film directed by Lew Landers and starring Richard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, and Robert Armstrong.McLaughlin p.325 The supporting cast includes Jack La Rue, Jack Carson, Philip Dorn and Milburn ...

'' (1940) * ''

The Dancing Masters ''The Dancing Masters'' is a 1943 black and white American comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, produced by 20th Century-Fox, and featuring Laurel and Hardy. A young Robert Mitchum has a small, uncredited role as a gangster posing as an i ...

'' (1943) * '' The Gang's All Here'' (1943) * '' The Dolly Sisters'' (1945) * ''

Three on a Ticket ''Three on a Ticket'' is a 1947 American crime film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Fred Myton. It is based on the 1942 novel ''The Corpse Came Calling'' by Brett Halliday. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Cheryl Walker, Paul Bryar, Ralp ...

'' (1947) * '' Strangers on a Train'' (1951) - tennis umpire (uncredited)

References

External links

*
Police Rookie (1940) Internet Archive – Full Movie
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benedict, Brooks 1968 deaths American male film actors American male silent film actors 1896 births 20th-century American male actors Silent film comedians Princeton Tigers football players 20th-century American comedians American male comedy actors