William Bendix
William Bendix played radio and television characters that you never forgot. His biggest and most memorable role was as Chester A. Riley on The Life of Riley. This situation comedy was first broadcast by CBS in 1941 and did not star Bendix.
The early shows were nothing like the later shows that starred Bendix. The first cast of The Life of Riley starred Lionel Stander as J. Riley Farnsworth – a “rough-cut gadabout with a heart of gold.”
Farnsworth wasn’t married in the show and spent much of his time courting Peggy, played by Peggy Conklin. Peggy was the daughter of the richest man in town and Maude was a nosey old maid played by Grace Coppin.
In 1944, Bendix took over the role of Chester A. Riley. On the new show, Riley was married to Peg, played by radio actress, Paula Winslowe. Bendix’s character was a riveter in a California aircraft plant. He and Peg had two children, Junior and Babs, played by actors Sharon Douglas and Conrad Binyon.
Peg and Chester had a permanent guest in their home named Uncle Baxter, who had once given Chester a pint of his own blood. Gillis was Chester’s friend and coworker, played by John Brown. Brown also played the part of the “friendly undertaker,” on the show.
The Life of Riley originated from a prospective show called The Flotsam Family, which was to star Groucho Marx. But, when Irving Brecher, the producer of Life of Riley, saw Bendix starring in a film, The McGuerins of Brooklyn, he immediately knew that Bendix was perfect to play the part of Chester A. Riley.
The Life of Riley was a great success, starring Bendix as a bull-headed, blundering, but softhearted father, co-worker, wife and friend who became flustered at every problem presented by the other characters in the show.
Bendix’s show business career didn’t begin until he was 30 years of age and enrolled in the New Jersey Federal Theater project. He played parts in many television shows and movies. In 1949 William Bendix starred in the film version of The Life of Riley and in 1950 he reprised the film role in a Lux Radio Theater version of the movie.
He also appeared in many other radio series including, Suspense, Cavalcade of America, Family Theater, Father Knows Best and Lux Radio Theater. In 1949 he was a guest on the Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Show.
His most renowned movie part was in The Babe Ruth Story in which he played the title role, but he received an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1942 movie, Wake Island.
Bendix was born on January 14, 1906 and passed away on December 8th, 1964 aged 58. His wife of 37 years, Theresa Stefanatti, and their two children Lorraine and Stephanie survived him.
Happy listening my friends,
