Curtis Benton (1880 - 1938)

Actor, Screenwriter. Born Horatio Curtis Benton, he appeared in 12 films, among them “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” (1916), “A Stranger In His Own Home” (1916), and “Scorched Wings” (1916), to name a few. He also wrote screenplays for 18 films. (bio by: TLS)

Ted Bennett (1872 - 1941)

Actor.

Richard Bennett (1870 - 1944)

Vaudeville, stage, and screen actor of the 1910s, 20s, 30s, and 40s. One of his finest roles was his portrayal of Major Amberson in Orson Welles’ “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942). Married to actress Adrienne Morrison. Father of actresses Barbara, Constance, and Joan Bennett. (bio by: A.J. Marik)  Family links:  Spouse:  Mabel Adrienne Morrison Bennett (1883 […]

John Bennett (1928 - 2005)

British Character Actor. He was born in Beckenham, Kent, and died in London. He began his career on stage in the mid 1940s and twenty years later, debuted in cinema with “The Challenge” (1960). His films included “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962), and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1966).  More recently, […]

Brooks Benedict (1896 - 1968)

Actor. After serving in the US Army during World War I, he held down several odd jobs in Hollywood before turning to acting in the early 1920s. A versatile utility performer, his credits include “The Freshman” (1925), “Showboat” (1936), “The Housekeeper’s Daughter” (1939), “The Las Vegas Story” (1952) and “Houseboat” (1958). For television, he was […]

Billy Benedict (1917 - 1999)

Actor. He is best known as ‘Whitey’ in the “Bowery Boys” comedies. He was a newsboy and a plumber’s assistant before he entered films as a youngster in the mid-1930s. While in Los Angeles, he auditioned for a movie studio and was immediately hired for a seven-year contract. He played ‘Skinny’ in some of the […]

John Belushi (1949 - 1982)

John Belushi Actor. Comedian. Born John Adam Belushi in Chicago to Albanian immigrant parents. As a boy, his family moved to Wheaton, where John played on the high school football team and was homecoming king. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater where he co-founded an acting troupe. Belushi then auditioned for and won […]

Ralf Belmont (1882 - 1964)

Actor. American stage figure of the 1920s through the 1960s. Died instantly when he and friend/actor Percy Kilbride were struck by a car while out walking. (bio by: A.J. Marik) Cause of death: Struck by automobile

Cosmo Bellew (1885 - 1948)

Actor. British-born motion picture figure who appeared in films as early as 1902.  Son of H. Kyrle Bellew. (bio by: A.J. Marik)

Harry Bellaver (1905 - 1993)

Noted character actor. He appeared in over 25 films including, “Love Me or Leave Me”, “From Here to Eternity” and “The Lemon Drop Kid”. He also made his mark on television, appearing for five years as Det. Frank Arcaro, on “Naked City”. He also appeared on “Route 66”, “The FBI”, and “Gentle Ben”. Harry Bellaver […]

Rodney Mabrey Bell (1915 - 1968)

Actor. A veteran performer of nearly a 100 films, he made his big screen debut in “Saturday’s Heroes” (1937). His other film credits include “The Senator Was Indiscreet” (1947), “A Star Is Born” (1954), “Man On Fire” (1957), “The Missouri Traveler” (1958) and “Ada” (1961). He also appeared on countless television programs such as “G.E. […]

Rex Bell (1903 - 1962)

Cowboy actor and film star, who went on to become the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. He is also remembered as the husband of actress Clara Bow, the famous “It” girl. Born George Francis Beldam in Chicago, Illinois, he moved with his parents to California, where he graduated from Hollywood High School in 1923. It is […]

Ralph Winstar Bell (1883 - 1936)

Actor and Writer. Appeared in “Please Get Married” (1919) and “A Connecticut Yankee” (1931).

Laura Joyce Bell (1858 - 1904)

Opera Singer. A contralto, she was a star of light opera in the late 19th century. Born Hannah Joyce Maskell, she studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England and made her stage debut there at the Strand Theatre. She traveled to New York City, New York and made her first American appearance […]

John Terry Bell (1942 - 1995)

Actor. Bell appeared in “Just Between Friends,” “Lots of Luck,” “Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy” and “Masada.” (bio by: MC) Cause of death: Complications of AIDS

Henry Branch “Hank” Bell (1892 - 1950)

Actor. He is remembered by his trademark handlebar mustache, that drooped well below his chin. A veteran of silent and sound B-Western films, his career spanned three decades from 1920 to 1950, appearing in over 370 films, most of them uncredited, with actors like John Wayne, Gabby Hayes, Paul Fix, and Noah Beery. He performed […]

Digby Bell (1849 - 1917)

Actor. A renown comic theater actor, he appeared in two motion pictures at the very end of his career – “The Education Of Mr. Pipp” (1914), as ‘Mr. Pipp’ and “Father and the Boys” (1917), as ‘Lemuel Morewood’.  Family links:  Parents:  William J. Bell (1828 – 1869)  Jeannette L. Seymore Bell (1829 – 1906)  Spouse: […]

Charles M. Belcher (1870 - 1943)

Actor in 18 silent films. Among them, “Thief in the Dark” (1928), “The King of Kings” (1927), “The Devil’s Gulch” (1926), “Modern Youth” (1926), and “Midnight Faces” (1926).  (bio by: TLS)

Leon Belasco (1902 - 1988)

Actor. He was born Leonid Simeonovich Berladsky in Odessa, Ukraine. A prolific character actor, he appeared in more than 100 films. They include “Topper Takes a Trip” (1938), “on Your Toes” (1939), “My Favorite Wife” (1940), “The Mummy’s Hand” (1940), “Comrade X” (1940), “Hold Back the Dawn” (1941), “It Started With Eve” (1941), “Yankee Doodle […]

Jay Belasco (1888 - 1949)

Actor/Film Director. Born Reginald James Belasco. Cousin of David Belasco. Best remembered as ‘Billy Cupps’ in “The Prince Of The Silence,” as ‘Herbert Austin’ in “Life’s a Funny Proposition,” and as ‘Billy Hill’ in “The Palace of Darkened Windows.” (bio by: MC)

David Belasco (1853 - 1931)

Playwright, Theatrical Producer.  Family links:  Parents:  Abraham Humphrey Belasco (1830 – 1911)  Reyna David Nunes Martines Belasco (1830 – 1899)  Spouse:  Cecilia Loverich Belasco (1858 – 1926)*  Children:  Reina Victoria Belasco Gest (1878 – 1948)*  Augusta Belasco Elliott (1880 – 1911)*  Siblings:  Joseph Belasco (____ – 1863)*  David Belasco (1853 – 1931)  Sarah Belasco Mayer […]

Frank Behrens (1919 - 1986)

Actor. Born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he was popular performer most noted for his many television series appearances. His TV credits include “The Honeymooners”, “Perry Mason”, “The Andy Griffith Show”, “The Patty Duke Show”, “Combat” and “The Twilight Zone”. For films, he appeared in “Wake Me When It’s Over” (1960) and “Stock Treatment” (1964). He was […]

Ed Begley, Sr (1901 - 1970)

Actor. An imposing character player, he was often cast as a corrupt or misguided authority figure. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Boss Finley in the film “Sweet Bird of Youth” (1962). Edward James Begley was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Irish immigrants. He ran away from home […]

Malcolm Lee Beggs (1970 - 1956)

Actor. He was the son of actor/director Lee Beggs and stage actress Doris Singleton. He was in the original Broadway casts of “Metropole” (1949), “Seventh Heaven” (1955), and “Mr. Wonderful” (1956). His films include “Houdini” (19530, and he had many television appearances, such as ‘Diamonds’ on the 1949 TV series “Captain Video and His Video […]

Lee Beggs (1870 - 1943)

Actor, Motion Picture Director. He appeared in many plays and films from 1910s through 1930s, including his role as ‘Mayor “Soapy” Caswell’ in “The Red Rider” series. He was in the original Broadway casts of “The Red Robe” (1928), and “A Woman of Destiny” (1936) Father of actor Malcolm Lee Beggs.    (bio by: Ginny […]

Noah Nicholas Beery, Sr (1882 - 1946)

Actor. The older brother of star Wallace Beery, he was called “The King of The Bad Guys” for his memorable portrayals of ruthless, lecherous villains. His best work was done during the silent era, in such films as “The Mark of Zorro” (1920), “The Sea Wolf” (1920), “The Spoilers” (1923), “Lord Jim” (1925), and especially […]

Noah Beery, Jr (1913 - 1994)

Actor. Earthy, likable character player. He appeared in nearly 100 films during his 65-year career, but is best remembered for his Emmy-nominated role as “Rocky” on TV’s “The Rockford Files”. Beery was born in New York City, the son of actor Noah Beery, Sr. and nephew of Wallace Beery. He made his screen debut at […]

Sir Max Beerbohm (1872 - 1956)

Caricaturist, Author. Born in London, England. The youngest of nine children of a Lithuanian-born grain merchant, Julius Ewald Edward Beerbohm (1811–92). His mother was Eliza Draper Beerbohm (d. 1918).  Affectionately known to everyone as “Max” he was the younger half brother of the actor-producer Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, he was accustomed to fashionable society from […]

Brace Bell Beemer (1902 - 1965)

Radio Actor. He was the 3rd actor to play the voice of ‘The Lone Ranger’ on radio. He played the voice from 1941 to 1954.  Family links:  Spouse:  Leta Wales Beemer (1900 – 1993)* *Calculated relationship

Rolland Bedard (1913 - 1987)

Actor. Bedard is best remembered for his role as ‘Uncle Raoul’ on the television series, “The Forest Rangers” (1963-1966). He appeared in the films “Highpoint” (1984), “Maria Chapdelaine” (1983), “Fantastica” (1980), “Cordelia” (1980), “Partis Pour La Gloire” (1975), “Lies My Father Told Me” (1975), “Instant French” (1965), “Big Red” (1962), “The Promised Land” (1959), “Que […]