W. C. Fields - Film & Theater Personalities, Facts and Childhood
W. C. Fields's Personal Details
W
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 29, 1880 |
| Died on | December 25, 1946 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Comedians, Writers |
| Spouses | Harriet Hughes (m. 1900–1946) |
| Siblings | Walter Fields |
| Known as | William Claude Dukenfield |
| Childrens | Jr., William Claude Fields, William Rexford Fields Morris |
| Cause of death |
|
| Birth Place | Darby |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | James Lydon Dukenfield |
| Mother | Kate Spangler |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Born in | Darby |
| Died at Age | 66 |
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W. C. Fields's photo
Who is W. C. Fields?
William Claude Dukenfield, better known as W. C. Fields was a juggler and comedian widely regarded as one of the greatest personalities of early American cinema. Born into a poor family he ran away from home when he was just 11. He began his career as a juggler and was known to practice for hours perfecting his skills. By the time he was 15 he was supporting himself by performing juggling acts at church and theater shows. He called himself ‘The Eccentric Juggler’ and developed a juggling routine that included anecdotes and comedy as well. He used to juggle cigar boxes, hats and other strange objects that gave him a novel appeal. He toured all over the world and by the early 1900s he earned the reputation for being the world’s greatest juggler. He furthered his career by appearing in Broadway productions before moving on to make film appearances. His stage persona was that of a hard-drinking misanthropist who could earn his audience’s sympathies in spite of his contempt for women, children and dogs. He became a major movie star by the 1930s. However he became a victim of alcoholism which threatened his personal as well as professional life and the once-great comedian died as a result of alcohol related complications.
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Childhood & Early Life
He was born as the oldest son of James Lydon Dukenfield. His father used to serve in the army and was wounded. He later worked as an independent produce merchant and part-time hotel keeper.
He began working as a child in order to support his poor family. He was employed at a department store and also worked in an oyster house.
He ran away from home when he was 11. He taught himself to juggle and spent hours practicing the art till his fingers bled. He began performing juggling acts at the church and theater shows when he was 15.
Career
He started his career as a juggler in vaudeville and developed a unique routine by combining juggling with comedy. He used to juggle using objects like cigar boxes and hats which added to his charm.
He was soon traveling all over North America and Europe under the name ‘The Eccentric Juggler’. He made a name for himself and was called the world’s greatest juggler by the early 1900s.
He made his Broadway debut in a musical comedy, ‘The Ham Tree’ in 1906.
From 1915 onwards he adopted a stage costume that consisted of a top hat, cut-away coat and collar, and a cane—an appearance that seemed to be inspired by the cartoon character Ally Sloper.
He starred in Florenz Ziegfeld’s Broadway production ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ revues from 1916 to 1922. He entertained his audiences with a billiards skit complete with funnily shaped cues and trick shots.
He played Eustache McGargle, a small-time con man with a colourful personality in the Broadway musical comedy ‘Poppy’ in 1923.
During the 1920s he made several movie appearances including ‘Sally of the Sawdust’ (1925), ‘It’s the Old Army game’ (1926), ‘Running Wild’ (1927) and ‘The Golf Specialist’ (1930).
In collaboration with the comedy pioneer Mack Sennett, Fields made four short subjects during 1932 and 1933 which were distributed through Paramount Pictures.
He also contributed to the scripts of films using strange and unusual sounding pseudonyms like Charles Bogle. In several of his films he wrote and improvised all his dialogues. He often played the characters of hustlers, carnival barkers and card sharps in his films.
His 1934 film ‘It’s a Gift’ is considered to be his funniest film. The film revolved around the adventures of a grocery store owner as he tried to manage a shrewish wife and annoying children with hilarious consequences.
He starred as Eustace McGargle in ‘Poppy’ in 1936 which was a film based on a stage revue of the same name. He portrayed a con man cum snake oil salesman in the movie.
During the late 1930s his career began to suffer because of his alcoholism. He also began to get fatter and was losing the charisma of his earlier days. Nonetheless he continued to appear in films.
He had his last starring role in the 1941 film, ‘Never Give a Sucker an Even Break’. He also wrote the original story, though under a pseudonym. The film got mixed reviews at the time of its release but is considered a classic.
Major Works
Considered to be one of the greats of early American cinema, W. C. Fields was a much loved comedian best know for his on-screen comic persona of a misanthropic, arrogant, clumsy and hard drinking egoist with a deep hatred for mankind and animals alike.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married a fellow vaudevillian, Harriet Hughes in 1900. They had one son. The couple separated by 1907 due to his unwillingness to give up show business and settle down in some other profession.
He was in a relationship with Bessie Poole which resulted in the birth of a son. Bessie was killed in a bar fight and her child was sent to a foster home.
He had a long term relationship with Carlotta Monti that lasted till his death.
He loved entertaining guests at home and had a huge library.
He had a long history of alcohol abuse and died of an alcohol-related stomach hemorrhage in 1946.
Trivia
He was a big fan of Charles Dickens.
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W. C. Fields biography timelines
- // 29th Jan 1880He was born as the oldest son of James Lydon Dukenfield. His father used to serve in the army and was wounded. He later worked as an independent produce merchant and part-time hotel keeper.
- // 1900 To 1907He married a fellow vaudevillian, Harriet Hughes in 1900. They had one son. The couple separated by 1907 due to his unwillingness to give up show business and settle down in some other profession.
- // 1906He made his Broadway debut in a musical comedy, ‘The Ham Tree’ in 1906.
- // 1915From 1915 onwards he adopted a stage costume that consisted of a top hat, cut-away coat and collar, and a cane—an appearance that seemed to be inspired by the cartoon character Ally Sloper.
- // 1916 To 1922He starred in Florenz Ziegfeld’s Broadway production ‘Ziegfeld Follies’ revues from 1916 to 1922. He entertained his audiences with a billiards skit complete with funnily shaped cues and trick shots.
- // 1923He played Eustache McGargle, a small-time con man with a colourful personality in the Broadway musical comedy ‘Poppy’ in 1923.
- // 1925 To 1930During the 1920s he made several movie appearances including ‘Sally of the Sawdust’ (1925), ‘It’s the Old Army game’ (1926), ‘Running Wild’ (1927) and ‘The Golf Specialist’ (1930).
- // 1932 To 1933In collaboration with the comedy pioneer Mack Sennett, Fields made four short subjects during 1932 and 1933 which were distributed through Paramount Pictures.
- // 1934His 1934 film ‘It’s a Gift’ is considered to be his funniest film. The film revolved around the adventures of a grocery store owner as he tried to manage a shrewish wife and annoying children with hilarious consequences.
- // 1936He starred as Eustace McGargle in ‘Poppy’ in 1936 which was a film based on a stage revue of the same name. He portrayed a con man cum snake oil salesman in the movie.
- // 1941He had his last starring role in the 1941 film, ‘Never Give a Sucker an Even Break’. He also wrote the original story, though under a pseudonym. The film got mixed reviews at the time of its release but is considered a classic.
- // 25th Dec 1946He had a long history of alcohol abuse and died of an alcohol-related stomach hemorrhage in 1946.
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W. C. Fields's FAQ
What is W. C. Fields birthday?
W. C. Fields was born at 1880-01-29
When was W. C. Fields died?
W. C. Fields was died at 1946-12-25
Where was W. C. Fields died?
W. C. Fields was died in Pasadena
Which age was W. C. Fields died?
W. C. Fields was died at age 66
Where is W. C. Fields's birth place?
W. C. Fields was born in Darby
What is W. C. Fields nationalities?
W. C. Fields's nationalities is American
Who is W. C. Fields spouses?
W. C. Fields's spouses is Harriet Hughes (m. 1900–1946)
Who is W. C. Fields siblings?
W. C. Fields's siblings is Walter Fields
Who is W. C. Fields childrens?
W. C. Fields's childrens is Jr., William Claude Fields, William Rexford Fields Morris
What is W. C. Fields's cause of dead?
W. C. Fields dead because of Alcoholism
Who is W. C. Fields's father?
W. C. Fields's father is James Lydon Dukenfield
Who is W. C. Fields's mother?
W. C. Fields's mother is Kate Spangler
What is W. C. Fields's sun sign?
W. C. Fields is Aquarius