Trivia

In 1922, when he was 15, Bendix was a bat boy for the New York Yankees, and became a favorite of Babe Ruth, who entrusted Bendix with various personal errands. Years later, in 1948, Bendix played Ruth in L'homme le plus aimé (1948).

Claims Babe Ruth had an affinity for hot dogs and young Bendix often was called upon to fetch them for him.

In the summer of 1961 the residents of Aurora East, OH, voted to name the town park after their favorite television performer--William Bendix. He made a personal appearance to dedicate "William Bendix Park".

As a child he played the son of actress Lillian Walker in a silent film in 1911 (age 5).

Once a member of the Henry Street Players on New York's Lower East side.

Was a descendant of composer Felix Mendelssohn. This was revealed on William Bendix (1955); host Ralph Edwards awarded Bendix with a framed document signed by Mendelssohn.

Portraying Chester Riley on the popular "The Life of Riley" radio program from 1944-52, Bendix was initially prevented from recreating his role for TV due to contractual restrictions. Jackie Gleason played the role when the program first aired, but Bendix subsequently took over the part after the show failed to get decent ratings. Gleason's role as Riley lasted one season (The Life of Riley (1948)). Bendix, who starred in the rarely aired big-screen version The Life of Riley (1949), would finally assume the TV role on NBC's The Life of Riley (1953) four years later. The show became a huge success and ran another five seasons. In a similar turn, Bendix replaced Gleason in the Broadway musical "Take Me Along" in 1960.

His father was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and a musician who performed in local New York bands. Another relative, Max Bendix, was a violinist who once conducted the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California, USA.

Attracted the attention of producer Cheryl Walker in the late 1930s and appeared in six of her productions at the Theatre Guild.

Chester A. Riley, Bendix's character on The Life of Riley (1953), was ranked #30 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" [20 June 2004 issue].

The playwright William Saroyan credited Bendix with contributions to the dialogue of "The Time of your Life", which Bendix played on Broadway.

Screen, stage, radio, and television actor.

Graduated from Public School 5 in the Bronx and attended Townsend Harris High School for a brief spell.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 41-42. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Father: Oscar Bendix; Mother: Hilda Carnell.