William Demarest

William Demarest

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1892-02-27
Deathday: 1983-12-27 (91 years old)

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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).

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Filmography

all 162

Movies 142

TV Shows 20

self 6

Self (archive footage)
Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line

Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down The Line (1997)

Movie
Oscar Pugh
The Millionaire

The Millionaire (1978)

Movie
Studio Gatekeeper
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood

Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)

Movie
Alexander 'Pop' Denny
Ellery Queen

Ellery Queen (1975)

TV
Father Gurkin
The Wild McCullochs

The Wild McCullochs (1975)

Movie
Mr. Harris
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

Movie
8
Cyrus McFee / Andy Kenesaw
McMillan and Wife

McMillan and Wife (1971)

TV
1
Mr. MacDougall
That Darn Cat!

That Darn Cat! (1965)

Movie
4.33
Mr. Martin
Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Movie
Police Chief Aloysius
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

Movie
5.79
Self
The Jerry Lewis Show

The Jerry Lewis Show (1963)

TV
Charlie Who
Burke's Law

Burke's Law (1963)

TV
6
Paul Keller
The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth (1963)

TV
Mr. Hummel
Son of Flubber

Son of Flubber (1963)

Movie
6
Going My Way

Going My Way (1962)

TV
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)

TV
6
Self
The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show (1961)

TV
Jeb
Gunfight at Black Horses Canyon

Gunfight at Black Horses Canyon (1961)

Movie
Ben Casey

Ben Casey (1961)

TV
4.75
Mr. Aimes
Dr. Kildare

Dr. Kildare (1961)

TV
6
Desmond Slocum
Twenty Plus Two

Twenty Plus Two (1961)

Movie
Henry Hecht
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein

King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein (1961)

Movie
Movie Studio Gateman
Pepe

Pepe (1960)

Movie
Charley O'Casey
My Three Sons

My Three Sons (1960)

TV
6
Ulysses Bowman
The Rebel

The Rebel (1959)

TV
Joe Britt
The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone (1959)

TV
8
William Harris
Love and Marriage

Love and Marriage (1959)

TV
Angus Tweedy / Enos Milford
Bonanza

Bonanza (1959)

TV
1
Mr. Hennessey
Wagon Train

Wagon Train (1957)

TV
8
Jeb Gaine / Jeb Gaines / Jeb
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo (1957)

TV
Brand Comfort
The Rawhide Years

The Rawhide Years (1956)

Movie
Father Belacchi
The Mountain

The Mountain (1956)

Movie
Dan Bianco
Hell on Frisco Bay

Hell on Frisco Bay (1955)

Movie
Sam Dunne
Sincerely Yours

Sincerely Yours (1955)

Movie
Charles Madden
Lucy Gallant

Lucy Gallant (1955)

Movie
Tom Akins
Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)

TV
4.75
John
The Private War of Major Benson

The Private War of Major Benson (1955)

Movie
Sgt. Gass
The Far Horizons

The Far Horizons (1955)

Movie
Mago
Jupiter's Darling

Jupiter's Darling (1955)

Movie
Jackpot Wray
The Yellow Mountain

The Yellow Mountain (1954)

Movie
Mr. Hummel (archive footage)
Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color

Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1954)

TV
5.98
Campbell
Escape from Fort Bravo

Escape from Fort Bravo (1953)

Movie
Dennis Logan
Here Come the Girls

Here Come the Girls (1953)

Movie
Pa Higgins
Dangerous When Wet

Dangerous When Wet (1953)

Movie
Harvey Jones
The Lady Wants Mink

The Lady Wants Mink (1953)

Movie
Syd Jessup
The Blazing Forest

The Blazing Forest (1952)

Movie
Cpl. Kiper
What Price Glory

What Price Glory (1952)

Movie
Senator Burnside
The Red Skelton Show

The Red Skelton Show (1951)

TV
Officer O'Ryan
Behave Yourself!

Behave Yourself! (1951)

Movie
Fluff
The Strip

The Strip (1951)

Movie
6
Harvey Bullitt
Excuse My Dust

Excuse My Dust (1951)

Movie
Monsignor Michael Carey
The First Legion

The First Legion (1951)

Movie
Bob Sears
He's a Cockeyed Wonder

He's a Cockeyed Wonder (1950)

Movie
Mears
Never a Dull Moment

Never a Dull Moment (1950)

Movie
Happy
Riding High

Riding High (1950)

Movie
Herman Kluggs
When Willie Comes Marching Home

When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950)

Movie
Charlie Baxter - Press Agent
Red Hot and Blue

Red Hot and Blue (1949)

Movie
Steve Martin
Jolson Sings Again

Jolson Sings Again (1949)

Movie
Regret
Sorrowful Jones

Sorrowful Jones (1949)

Movie
4
Bill Dansing
Whispering Smith

Whispering Smith (1948)

Movie
7.33
Lt. Shawn
Night Has a Thousand Eyes

Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948)

Movie
Vern Tewilliger
The Sainted Sisters

The Sainted Sisters (1948)

Movie
Floyd
On Our Merry Way

On Our Merry Way (1948)

Movie
Barker
Variety Girl

Variety Girl (1947)

Movie
George 'Mac' McGuire
The Perils of Pauline

The Perils of Pauline (1947)

Movie
Steve Martin
The Jolson Story

The Jolson Story (1946)

Movie
Peanuts Schultz
Our Hearts Were Growing Up

Our Hearts Were Growing Up (1946)

Movie
Chuck Gibson
Pardon My Past

Pardon My Past (1945)

Movie
Bill, the Security Guard
Hollywood Victory Caravan

Hollywood Victory Caravan (1945)

Movie
William Demarest
Duffy's Tavern

Duffy's Tavern (1945)

Movie
George Fury
Along Came Jones

Along Came Jones (1945)

Movie
Smitty
Salty O'Rourke

Salty O'Rourke (1945)

Movie
Sgt. Heffelfinger
Hail the Conquering Hero

Hail the Conquering Hero (1944)

Movie
Eben Frost
The Great Moment

The Great Moment (1944)

Movie
Brandt
Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time (1944)

Movie
Walter Cummings
Nine Girls

Nine Girls (1944)

Movie
Uncle Jake
True to Life

True to Life (1943)

Movie
Constable Edmund Kockenlocker
The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek

The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1943)

Movie
6
Detective Gatling
Dangerous Blondes

Dangerous Blondes (1943)

Movie
William Demarest
Stage Door Canteen

Stage Door Canteen (1943)

Movie
Harry Fabian
Johnny Doughboy

Johnny Doughboy (1942)

Movie
Police Officer
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty

Life Begins at Eight-Thirty (1942)

Movie
McKenzie
Behind the Eight Ball

Behind the Eight Ball (1942)

Movie
First Member Ale and Quail Club
The Palm Beach Story

The Palm Beach Story (1942)

Movie
6
Detective Kendall
Pardon My Sarong

Pardon My Sarong (1942)

Movie
Flower Pot Policeman
My Favorite Spy

My Favorite Spy (1942)

Movie
Sgt. Butts
True to the Army

True to the Army (1942)

Movie
Sunshine
All Through the Night

All Through the Night (1942)

Movie
Papa Doran
Glamour Boy

Glamour Boy (1941)

Movie
Mr. Jones
Sullivan's Travels

Sullivan's Travels (1941)

Movie
5.43
Inspector Pierson
Dressed to Kill

Dressed to Kill (1941)

Movie
Stogie McPhee
Country Fair

Country Fair (1941)

Movie
Bartender Barney
Ride on Vaquero

Ride on Vaquero (1941)

Movie
Mike Brady
Rookies on Parade

Rookies on Parade (1941)

Movie
First Detective
The Devil and Miss Jones

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)

Movie
Muggsy
The Lady Eve

The Lady Eve (1941)

Movie
4.5
Constable Tom Thorpe
Little Men

Little Men (1940)

Movie
Mr. Bildocker
Christmas in July

Christmas in July (1940)

Movie
Comin' Round the Mountain

Comin' Round the Mountain (1940)

Movie
Swallow
The Golden Fleecing

The Golden Fleecing (1940)

Movie
Skeeters - The Politician
The Great McGinty

The Great McGinty (1940)

Movie
Victor Walsh
The Farmer's Daughter

The Farmer's Daughter (1940)

Movie
Bill Ennis
Wolf of New York

Wolf of New York (1940)

Movie
Barney 'Gimpy' Cole
Laugh It Off

Laugh It Off (1939)

Movie
Bill Griffith
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Movie
5.27
Quinn
Miracles for Sale

Miracles for Sale (1939)

Movie
Rusty Walker
The Cowboy Quarterback

The Cowboy Quarterback (1939)

Movie
Police Sgt. Ernest Heath
The Gracie Allen Murder Case

The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939)

Movie
Arnold
King of the Turf

King of the Turf (1939)

Movie
Charles Dole
The Great Man Votes

The Great Man Votes (1939)

Movie
Red Miller
While New York Sleeps

While New York Sleeps (1938)

Movie
Daro
Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus

Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus (1938)

Movie
Joe, Diner Owner
Josette

Josette (1938)

Movie
Collins
One Wild Night

One Wild Night (1938)

Movie
Police Lt. Eckhardt
Romance on the Run

Romance on the Run (1938)

Movie
Harry Kipper
Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938)

Movie
Army Coach
Rosalie

Rosalie (1937)

Movie
Mr. Beecher
Big City

Big City (1937)

Movie
Radio Center Tour Guide
Wake Up and Live

Wake Up and Live (1937)

Movie
Paul Sears
Blonde Trouble

Blonde Trouble (1937)

Movie
Wallace Whistling
Easy Living

Easy Living (1937)

Movie
Sergeant Kirby
The Great Gambini

The Great Gambini (1937)

Movie
Mr. Beatty
The Great Hospital Mystery

The Great Hospital Mystery (1937)

Movie
Parole Officer
The Hit Parade

The Hit Parade (1937)

Movie
Marty Short
Oh, Doctor

Oh, Doctor (1937)

Movie
Larry 'Horace' Tucker
Don't Tell the Wife

Don't Tell the Wife (1937)

Movie
Willoughby Sproggs
Time Out for Romance

Time Out for Romance (1937)

Movie
Droopy
Mind Your Own Business

Mind Your Own Business (1936)

Movie
Sergeant Kelly
Charlie Chan at the Opera

Charlie Chan at the Opera (1936)

Movie
4.67
Editor
Love on the Run

Love on the Run (1936)

Movie
'Smiles' Benson
Wedding Present

Wedding Present (1936)

Movie
Gene Buck (uncredited)
The Great Ziegfeld

The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

Movie
Roberts
White Lies

White Lies (1935)

Movie
Regi's Date Natty (uncredited)
Hands Across the Table

Hands Across the Table (1935)

Movie
Harry Hill
Diamond Jim

Diamond Jim (1935)

Movie
Detective
Bright Lights

Bright Lights (1935)

Movie
'Red' Maguire
The Murder Man

The Murder Man (1935)

Movie
Auctioneer (uncredited)
The Casino Murder Case

The Casino Murder Case (1935)

Movie
4.33
Police Detective (uncredited)
After Office Hours

After Office Hours (1935)

Movie
Steve Rogers
Fugitive Lady

Fugitive Lady (1934)

Movie
Brinker
Many Happy Returns

Many Happy Returns (1934)

Movie
Spike Smith
Fog Over Frisco

Fog Over Frisco (1934)

Movie
The Heir
Seeing Things

Seeing Things (1930)

Movie
Louie
The Crash

The Crash (1928)

Movie
Jack McLure
The Butter and Egg Man

The Butter and Egg Man (1928)

Movie
Briggs
Five and Ten Cent Annie

Five and Ten Cent Annie (1928)

Movie
'Terrible Bill' McGovern
Pay as You Enter

Pay as You Enter (1928)

Movie
Man in Bombay (uncredited)
A Girl in Every Port

A Girl in Every Port (1928)

Movie
Buster Billings (uncredited)
The Jazz Singer

The Jazz Singer (1928)

Movie
'Hi Jack' Murdock
Sharp Shooters

Sharp Shooters (1928)

Movie
Defense Counsel
The Night Court

The Night Court (1927)

Movie
James the Chauffeur
A Reno Divorce

A Reno Divorce (1927)

Movie
Detective
A Sailor's Sweetheart

A Sailor's Sweetheart (1927)

Movie
John Gilroy
The Bush Leaguer

The Bush Leaguer (1927)

Movie
The Village Cut-Up
The First Auto

The First Auto (1927)

Movie
Detective Dibbin
What Happened To Father

What Happened To Father (1927)

Movie
Train Engine Fireman
The Black Diamond Express

The Black Diamond Express (1927)

Movie
Oscar
Simple Sis

Simple Sis (1927)

Movie
George Lamont
A Million Bid

A Million Bid (1927)

Movie
Mr. Fixit
The Gay Old Bird

The Gay Old Bird (1927)

Movie
Ray Valerian
Don't Tell the Wife

Don't Tell the Wife (1927)

Movie
Cuffs Egan
Finger Prints

Finger Prints (1927)

Movie

Ratings

Average 5.58
Based on 531 Thousand movie and tv ratings over time
1927
1937
1942
1938
1997
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William DemarestWilliam DemarestWilliam Demarest

Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Male

Birthday
1892-02-27

Deathday
1983-12-27 (91 years old)

Birth Place
Saint Paul, United States of America

Relatives
Phyllis Gordon Demarest

Citizenships
United States of America

Awards
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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