Fields, W. C. (1880?-1946), was an American motion-picture comedian. Fields incorporated his personal prejudices into his films, and it became difficult to separate his real personality from his film characters. In his movies, Fields often played swindling characters. He was at war with the world, battling both people and objects. He hated children, and they hated him. Fields’ trademarks included a top hat, a monstrous nose, and a distinctive side-of-the-mouth manner of speaking.
Fields made his film debut in 1915 in a brief role in a comedy. He was in several silent films but did not win fame until the emergence of sound films. His major movies include The Old-Fashioned Way (1934), It’s a Gift (1934), The Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935), David Copperfield (1935), Poppy (1936), The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1937), You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939), My Little Chickadee (1940), The Bank Dick (1940), and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941).
Fields was born in Philadelphia, probably on Jan. 29, 1880. His real name was William Claude Dukenfield. He began his show business career at the age of 14. He died on Dec. 25, 1946.
