William Demarest
Photo from TMDB

Person

William Demarest

Known for
Acting
Born
February 27, 1892
Died
December 28, 1983
Place of birth
Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA

IMDb

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Carl William Demarest (February 27, 1892 – December 27, 1983) was an American character actor, known for playing Uncle Charley in My Three Sons. A veteran of World War I, Demarest became a prolific film and television actor, appearing in over 140 films, beginning in 1926 and ending in the 1970s. He frequently played crusty but good-hearted roles. Demarest started in show business working in vaudeville, appearing with his wife Estelle Collette (real name Esther Zychlin) as "Demarest and Colette", then moved on to Broadway. Demarest worked regularly with director Preston Sturges, becoming part of a "stock" troupe of actors that Sturges repeatedly cast in his films. He appeared in ten films written by Sturges, eight of which were under his direction, including The Lady Eve, Sullivan's Travels and The Miracle of Morgan's Creek. Demarest was such a familiar figure at the Paramount studio that just his name was used in the movie Sunset Boulevard as a potential star for William Holden's unsold baseball screenplay.

Demarest appeared with veteran western film star Roscoe Ates in the 1958 episode "And the Desert Shall Blossom" of CBS's Alfred Hitchcock Presents. In the story line, Ates and Demarest appear as old timers living in the Nevada desert. The local sheriff, played by Ben Johnson, appears with an eviction notice, but he agrees to let the pair stay on their property if they can make a dead rosebush bloom within the next month.

In 1959 Demarest was named the lead actor of the 18-week sitcom Love and Marriage on NBC in the 1959–1960 season. Demarest played William Harris, the owner of a failing music company who refuses to handle popular rock and roll music, which presumably might save the firm from bankruptcy. Joining Demarest on the series were Jeanne Bal, Murray Hamilton and Stubby Kaye.

Demarest appeared as Police Chief Aloysius of the Santa Rosita Police Department in the film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), as well as on a memorable episode ("What's in the Box") of Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone as a hen-pecked husband driven to the murder of his wife.

His most famous television role was in the ABC and then CBS sitcom My Three Sons from 1965 to 1972, playing Uncle Charley O'Casey. He replaced William Frawley, whose failing health had made procuring insurance impossible. Demarest had worked with Fred MacMurray previously in the films Hands Across the Table (1935), Pardon My Past (1945), On Our Merry Way (1948), and The Far Horizons (1955) and was a personal friend of MacMurray. Also, he worked with Irene Dunne in Never a Dull Moment (1950).

Biography from TMDB, which often draws on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

In Catlg

1 Work in the catalog credit them.

Acting (1)

Filmography

  • Television: The First Fifty YearsFilm · 1999 · as Charlie O'Casey (archive footage)
  • Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the LineFilm · 1997 · as Self (archive footage)
  • The MillionaireFilm · 1978 · as Oscar Pugh
  • Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved HollywoodFilm · 1976 · as Studio Gatekeeper
  • Ellery QueenTV · 1975 · as Alexander 'Pop' Denny · 1 episode
  • The Wild McCullochsFilm · 1975 · as Father Gurkin
  • Don't Be Afraid of the DarkFilm · 1973 · as Mr. Harris
  • McMillan & WifeTV · 1971 · as Andy Kenesaw · 1 episode
  • That Darn Cat!Film · 1965 · as Mr. MacDougall
  • Viva Las VegasFilm · 1964 · as Mr. Martin
  • Burke's LawTV · 1963 · as Charlie Who · 1 episode
  • It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad WorldFilm · 1963 · as Police Chief Aloysius
  • Son of FlubberFilm · 1963 · as Mr. Hummel
  • The Greatest Show on EarthTV · 1963 · as Paul Keller · 1 episode
  • The Jerry Lewis ShowTV · 1963 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Going My WayTV · 1962 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonTV · 1962 · as Self · 8 episodes
  • Ben CaseyTV · 1961 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Dr. KildareTV · 1961 · as Mr. Aimes · 1 episode
  • Gunfight at Black Horses CanyonFilm · 1961 · as Jeb
  • King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold RothsteinFilm · 1961 · as Henry Hecht
  • The Mike Douglas ShowTV · 1961 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Twenty Plus TwoFilm · 1961 · as Desmond Slocum
  • My Three SonsTV · 1960 · as Charley O'Casey · 232 episodes
  • PepeFilm · 1960 · as Movie Studio Gateman
  • BonanzaTV · 1959 · as Angus Tweedy · 1 episode
  • Love and MarriageTV · 1959 · as William Harris · 26 episodes
  • The RebelTV · 1959 · as Ulysses Bowman · 1 episode
  • The Twilight ZoneTV · 1959 · as Joe Britt · 1 episode
  • Tales of Wells FargoTV · 1957 · as Jeb Gaine (credit only) · 1 episode
  • Wagon TrainTV · 1957 · as Mr. Hennessey · 1 episode
  • The MountainFilm · 1956 · as Father Belacchi
  • The Rawhide YearsFilm · 1956 · as Brand Comfort
  • Alfred Hitchcock PresentsTV · 1955 · as Tom Akins · 1 episode
  • Hell on Frisco BayFilm · 1955 · as Dan Bianco
  • Jupiter's DarlingFilm · 1955 · as Mago
  • Lucy GallantFilm · 1955 · as Charles Madden
  • Sincerely YoursFilm · 1955 · as Sam Dunne
  • The Far HorizonsFilm · 1955 · as Sgt. Gass
  • The Private War of Major BensonFilm · 1955 · as John
  • JamboreeFilm · 1954 · as Self
  • Studio 57TV · 1954 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The Wonderful World of DisneyTV · 1954 · as Mr. Hummel (archive footage) · 1 episode
  • The Yellow MountainFilm · 1954 · as Jackpot Wray
  • Dangerous When WetFilm · 1953 · as Pa Higgins
  • Escape from Fort BravoFilm · 1953 · as Campbell
  • Here Come the GirlsFilm · 1953 · as Dennis Logan
  • The Lady Wants MinkFilm · 1953 · as Harvey Jones
  • The Blazing ForestFilm · 1952 · as Syd Jessup
  • What Price GloryFilm · 1952 · as Corporal Kiper
  • Behave Yourself!Film · 1951 · as O'Ryan
  • Excuse My DustFilm · 1951 · as Harvey Bullitt
  • The First LegionFilm · 1951 · as Monsignor Michael Carey
  • The Red Skelton ShowTV · 1951 · as Senator Burnside · 1 episode
  • The StripFilm · 1951 · as Fluff
  • He's a Cockeyed WonderFilm · 1950 · as Bob Sears
  • Never a Dull MomentFilm · 1950 · as Mears
  • Riding HighFilm · 1950 · as Happy
  • When Willie Comes Marching HomeFilm · 1950 · as Herman Kluggs
  • Jolson Sings AgainFilm · 1949 · as Steve Martin
  • Red, Hot and BlueFilm · 1949 · as Charlie Baxter
  • Sorrowful JonesFilm · 1949 · as Regret
  • Night Has a Thousand EyesFilm · 1948 · as Lt. Shawn
  • On Our Merry WayFilm · 1948 · as Floyd
  • The Sainted SistersFilm · 1948 · as Vern Tewilliger
  • Whispering SmithFilm · 1948 · as Bill Dansing
  • The Perils of PaulineFilm · 1947 · as George 'Mac' McGuire
  • Variety GirlFilm · 1947 · as Barker
  • Our Hearts Were Growing UpFilm · 1946 · as Peanuts Schultz
  • The Jolson StoryFilm · 1946 · as Steve Martin
  • Along Came JonesFilm · 1945 · as George Fury
  • Duffy's TavernFilm · 1945 · as William Demarest
  • Hollywood Victory CaravanFilm · 1945 · as Bill, the Security Guard
  • Pardon My PastFilm · 1945 · as Chuck Gibson
  • Salty O'RourkeFilm · 1945 · as Smitty
  • Hail the Conquering HeroFilm · 1944 · as Sgt. Heppelfinger
  • Nine GirlsFilm · 1944 · as Walter Cummings
  • Once Upon a TimeFilm · 1944 · as Brandt
  • The Great MomentFilm · 1944 · as Eben Frost
  • The Miracle of Morgan's CreekFilm · 1944 · as Constable Edmund Kockenlocker
  • Dangerous BlondesFilm · 1943 · as Detective Gatling
  • Stage Door CanteenFilm · 1943 · as William Demarest
  • True to LifeFilm · 1943 · as Uncle Jake
  • All Through the NightFilm · 1942 · as Sunshine
  • Behind the Eight BallFilm · 1942 · as McKenzie
  • Johnny DoughboyFilm · 1942 · as Harry Fabian
  • Life Begins at Eight-ThirtyFilm · 1942 · as Police Officer
  • My Favorite SpyFilm · 1942 · as Flower Pot Policeman
  • Pardon My SarongFilm · 1942 · as Detective Kendall
  • The Palm Beach StoryFilm · 1942 · as First Member Ale and Quail Club
  • True to the ArmyFilm · 1942 · as Sgt. Butts
  • Country FairFilm · 1941 · as Stogie McPhee
  • Dressed to KillFilm · 1941 · as Inspector Pierson
  • Glamour BoyFilm · 1941 · as Papa Doran
  • Ride on VaqueroFilm · 1941 · as Bartender Barney
  • Rookies on ParadeFilm · 1941 · as Mike Brady
  • Sullivan's TravelsFilm · 1941 · as Mr. Jones
  • The Devil and Miss JonesFilm · 1941 · as First Detective
  • The Lady EveFilm · 1941 · as Muggsy
  • Christmas in JulyFilm · 1940 · as Mr. Bildocker
  • Comin' Round the MountainFilm · 1940 · as Gutsy Mann
  • Little MenFilm · 1940 · as Constable Tom Thorpe
  • The Farmer's DaughterFilm · 1940 · as Victor Walsh
  • The Golden FleecingFilm · 1940 · as Swallow
  • The Great McGintyFilm · 1940 · as Skeeters - The Politician
  • Wolf of New YorkFilm · 1940 · as Bill Ennis
  • King of the TurfFilm · 1939 · as Arnold
  • Laugh It OffFilm · 1939 · as Barney 'Gimpy' Cole
  • Miracles for SaleFilm · 1939 · as Quinn
  • Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonFilm · 1939 · as Bill Griffith
  • The Cowboy QuarterbackFilm · 1939 · as Rusty Walker
  • The Gracie Allen Murder CaseFilm · 1939 · as Police Sgt. Ernest Heath
  • The Great Man VotesFilm · 1939 · as Charles Dole
  • JosetteFilm · 1938 · as Joe, Diner Owner
  • One Wild NightFilm · 1938 · as Collins
  • Peck's Bad Boy with the CircusFilm · 1938 · as Daro
  • Rebecca of Sunnybrook FarmFilm · 1938 · as Henry Kipper
  • Romance on the RunFilm · 1938 · as Police Lt. Eckhardt
  • While New York SleepsFilm · 1938 · as Red Miller
  • Big CityFilm · 1937 · as Mr. Beecher
  • Blonde TroubleFilm · 1937 · as Paul Sears
  • Don't Tell the WifeFilm · 1937 · as Larry 'Horace' Tucker
  • Easy LivingFilm · 1937 · as Wallace Whistling
  • Oh, DoctorFilm · 1937 · as Marty Short
  • RosalieFilm · 1937 · as Army Coach
  • The Great GambiniFilm · 1937 · as Sergeant Kirby
  • The Great Hospital MysteryFilm · 1937 · as Mr. Beatty
  • The Hit ParadeFilm · 1937 · as Parole Officer
  • Time Out for RomanceFilm · 1937 · as Willoughby Sproggs
  • Wake Up and LiveFilm · 1937 · as Radio Center Tour Guide
  • Charlie Chan at the OperaFilm · 1936 · as Sergeant Kelly
  • Love on the RunFilm · 1936 · as Editor
  • Mind Your Own BusinessFilm · 1936 · as Droopy
  • The Great ZiegfeldFilm · 1936 · as Gene Buck (uncredited)
  • Wedding PresentFilm · 1936 · as 'Smiles' Benson
  • After Office HoursFilm · 1935 · as Police Detective (uncredited)
  • Bright LightsFilm · 1935 · as Detective
  • Diamond JimFilm · 1935 · as Harry Hill
  • Hands Across the TableFilm · 1935 · as Regi's Date Natty (uncredited)
  • The Casino Murder CaseFilm · 1935 · as Auctioneer (uncredited)
  • The Murder ManFilm · 1935 · as 'Red' Maguire
  • White LiesFilm · 1935 · as Roberts
  • Fog Over FriscoFilm · 1934 · as Spike Smith
  • Fugitive LadyFilm · 1934 · as Steve Rogers
  • Many Happy ReturnsFilm · 1934 · as Brinker
  • Seeing ThingsFilm · 1930 · as The Heir
  • A Girl in Every PortFilm · 1928 · as Man in Bombay (uncredited)
  • Five and Ten Cent AnnieFilm · 1928 · as Briggs
  • Pay as You EnterFilm · 1928 · as 'Terrible Bill' McGovern
  • Sharp ShootersFilm · 1928 · as 'Hi Jack' Murdock
  • The Butter and Egg ManFilm · 1928 · as Jack McLure
  • The CrashFilm · 1928 · as Louie
  • A Million BidFilm · 1927 · as George Lamont
  • A Reno DivorceFilm · 1927 · as James, the chauffeur
  • A Sailor's SweetheartFilm · 1927 · as Detective
  • Don't Tell the WifeFilm · 1927 · as Ray Valerian
  • Finger PrintsFilm · 1927 · as Cuffs Egan
  • Matinee LadiesFilm · 1927 · as Man About Town
  • Simple SisFilm · 1927 · Acting
  • The Black Diamond ExpressFilm · 1927 · as Train Engine Fireman
  • The Bush LeaguerFilm · 1927 · as John Gilroy
  • The First AutoFilm · 1927 · as The Village Cut-Up
  • The Gay Old BirdFilm · 1927 · as Mr. Fixit
  • The Jazz SingerFilm · 1927 · as Buster Billings (uncredited)
  • The Night CourtFilm · 1927 · as Defense Counsel
  • What Happened To FatherFilm · 1927 · as Detective Dibbin

Filmography from TMDB. This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.

Sources