Actor. Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, his father encouraged him to become a Baptist minister, young William developed an interest in the Arts and Theatre. He changed his name to Billy De Wolfe, and entered vaudeville as a musical comedy performer during his late teen years. Working several nightclub and Broadway revues during the late 1930s and early 1940s, he moved to the West coast with his eye on motion pictures. He was signed by Paramount Pictures for his first film, the Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour film, "Dixie" (1943). The film is based on the life of Daniel Decatur Emmett, who wrote the classic song "Dixie." During his term at Paramount Pictures, he worked along side such luminaries as Betty Hutton,Alan Ladd, Paulette Goddard, and William Holden. His pairing with Warner Brothers' newest star, Doris Day, would prove not only screen magic, but would lead to a life long friendship. He appeared with Doris in, "Tea For Two" (1950), and "Lullaby of Broadway" (1951). The popularity of television gave De Wolfe's career a different turn. His fresh campy style hit a cord with audiences. He made guest appearances on several top television shows including, "Burke's Law" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He was cast as a radio station manager in the short lived situation comedy, "Good Morning World" broadcast by CBS during its 1967-1968 season. CBS would soon cast him opposite Larry Storch in, "The Queen and I" about the crazy antics of a cruise ship, but the series was brief, running from January to April of 1969. He continued to work steadily in television making multiple appearances on, "That Girl" as Marlo Thomas' acting teacher, Jules Benedict, and "The Doris Day Show" as Doris' boss, Willard Jarvis. He would lend his voice to the character, 'Professor Hinkle' for the Rankin and Bass classic animated television film, "Frosty the Snowman" which continues to be shown during the Christmas season. He was a regular guest on, "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." His final motion picture was in Walt Disney Pictures, "The World's Greatest Athlete" (1973). He succumbed to lung cancer in Los Angeles.
Actor. Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, his father encouraged him to become a Baptist minister, young William developed an interest in the Arts and Theatre. He changed his name to Billy De Wolfe, and entered vaudeville as a musical comedy performer during his late teen years. Working several nightclub and Broadway revues during the late 1930s and early 1940s, he moved to the West coast with his eye on motion pictures. He was signed by Paramount Pictures for his first film, the Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour film, "Dixie" (1943). The film is based on the life of Daniel Decatur Emmett, who wrote the classic song "Dixie." During his term at Paramount Pictures, he worked along side such luminaries as Betty Hutton,Alan Ladd, Paulette Goddard, and William Holden. His pairing with Warner Brothers' newest star, Doris Day, would prove not only screen magic, but would lead to a life long friendship. He appeared with Doris in, "Tea For Two" (1950), and "Lullaby of Broadway" (1951). The popularity of television gave De Wolfe's career a different turn. His fresh campy style hit a cord with audiences. He made guest appearances on several top television shows including, "Burke's Law" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He was cast as a radio station manager in the short lived situation comedy, "Good Morning World" broadcast by CBS during its 1967-1968 season. CBS would soon cast him opposite Larry Storch in, "The Queen and I" about the crazy antics of a cruise ship, but the series was brief, running from January to April of 1969. He continued to work steadily in television making multiple appearances on, "That Girl" as Marlo Thomas' acting teacher, Jules Benedict, and "The Doris Day Show" as Doris' boss, Willard Jarvis. He would lend his voice to the character, 'Professor Hinkle' for the Rankin and Bass classic animated television film, "Frosty the Snowman" which continues to be shown during the Christmas season. He was a regular guest on, "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson." His final motion picture was in Walt Disney Pictures, "The World's Greatest Athlete" (1973). He succumbed to lung cancer in Los Angeles.
Bio by: katzizkidz
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