Willie Best - Cast

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Willie Best

Willie Best

William “Willie” Best (May 27, 1916 - February 27, 1962), sometimes known as “Sleep n' Eat,” was an American television and film actor. Best was one of the first African-American film actors and comedians to become well known. In the 21st century, his work, like that of Stepin Fetchit, is sometimes reviled because he was often called upon to play stereotypically lazy, illiterate, and/or simple-minded characters in films. Of the 124 films he appeared in, he received screen credit in at least 77, an unusual feat for an African-American bit player. Willie Best appeared in more than one hundred films of the 1930s and 1940s. Although several sources state that for years he was billed only as “Sleep n' Eat,” Best received credit under this moniker instead of his real name in only six movies: his first film as a bit player (Harold Lloyd's Feet First) and in Up Pops the Devil (1931), The Monster Walks (1932), Kentucky Kernels and West of the Pecos (both 1934), and Murder on a Honeymoon (1935). Best was first loved as a great clown, then later in the 20th century reviled and pitied, before being forgotten in the history of film. Hal Roach called him one of the greatest talents he had ever met. Comedian Bob Hope similarly acclaimed him as “the best actor I know,” while the two were working together in 1940 on The Ghost Breakers. As a supporting actor, Best, like many black actors of his era, was regularly cast in domestic worker or service-oriented roles (though a few times he played the role echoing his previous occupation as a private chauffeur). He was often seen making a brief comic turn as a hotel, airline or train porter, as well as an elevator operator, custodian, butler, valet, waiter, deliveryman, and at least once as a launch pilot (in the 1939 movie Mr. Moto in Danger Island). Willie Best received screen credit most of the time, which was unusual for “bit players,” most in the 1930s and '40s were not accorded due credit. This also happened to white actors in small roles, but black actors were not credited even when their roles were larger. In more than 80 of his movies, he was given a proper character name (as opposed to simple descriptions such as “room service waiter” or “shoe-shine boy”), beginning with his second film. Best played “Chattanooga Brown” in two Charlie Chan films —The Red Dragon in 1945 and Dangerous Money in 1946. He also played the character of “Hipp” in three of RKO’s six Scattergood Baines films with Guy Kibbee: Scattergood Baines (1941), Scattergood Survives a Murder (1942), and Cinderella Swings It in 1943. (Actor Paul White, who played a young version of Best’s “Hipp” in the first film, went on to play “Hipp” in the next three films. Best returned to the role in the last two.) After a drug arrest ended his film career, he worked in television for a while and became known to early TV audiences as “Charlie the Elevator Operator” on CBS's My Little Margie, from 1953 to 1955. He also played Willie, the house servant, handyman and close friend of the title character of ABC’s The Trouble with Father, for its entire run from 1950 to 1955.

Casted
  • High Sierra

    High Sierra

    Played Algernon

    Average Rating
    7.1
    339 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 23, 1941
    86 years ago
  • At the Circus

    At the Circus

    Played Redcap (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    95 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 20, 1939
    87 years ago
  • The Ghost Breakers

    The Ghost Breakers

    Played Alex

    Average Rating
    6.5
    81 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 21, 1940
    87 years ago
  • Vivacious Lady

    Vivacious Lady

    Played Porter

    Average Rating
    7.0
    63 votes
    Release Date
    May 13, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Cabin in the Sky

    Cabin in the Sky

    Played Second Idea Man

    Average Rating
    6.5
    46 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 24, 1943
    84 years ago
  • Merrily We Live

    Merrily We Live

    Played George

    Average Rating
    6.9
    38 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 04, 1938
    89 years ago
  • A-Haunting We Will Go

    A-Haunting We Will Go

    Played Waiter

    Average Rating
    6.0
    37 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 07, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Thank Your Lucky Stars

    Played Soldier in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    36 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 25, 1943
    83 years ago
  • The Littlest Rebel

    The Littlest Rebel

    Played James Henry

    Average Rating
    6.2
    30 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 27, 1935
    91 years ago
  • Ladies of Leisure

    Ladies of Leisure

    Played George (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.1
    27 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 05, 1930
    97 years ago
  • Dangerous Money

    Dangerous Money

    Played Chattanooga Brown

    Average Rating
    5.7
    25 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 12, 1946
    80 years ago
  • Little Miss Marker

    Little Miss Marker

    Played Dizzy Memphis (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 01, 1934
    93 years ago
  • The Monster Walks

    The Monster Walks

    Played Exodus (as Sleep n' Eat)

    Average Rating
    4.1
    24 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 07, 1932
    95 years ago
  • Feet First

    Feet First

    Played Janitor

    Average Rating
    6.6
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 30, 1930
    96 years ago
  • Mr. Moto in Danger Island

    Mr. Moto in Danger Island

    Played Launch Pilot

    Average Rating
    6.6
    21 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 07, 1939
    88 years ago
  • The Saint Strikes Back

    The Saint Strikes Back

    Played Algernon, Simon's Butler (Uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.6
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 08, 1939
    88 years ago
  • Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

    Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

    Played Driver (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.6
    18 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 07, 1939
    88 years ago
  • The Mark of the Whistler

    The Mark of the Whistler

    Played Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    16 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 09, 1944
    82 years ago
  • The Bride Walks Out

    The Bride Walks Out

    Played Smokie

    Average Rating
    5.1
    14 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 10, 1936
    91 years ago
  • The Green Pastures

    The Green Pastures

    Played Henry - the Angel (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    14 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Pillow to Post

    Pillow to Post

    Played Lucille, Colonial Auto Court Porter

    Average Rating
    5.3
    13 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 09, 1945
    82 years ago
  • Nothing But the Truth

    Nothing But the Truth

    Played Samuel

    Average Rating
    7.1
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 10, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company "B"

    Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company "B"

    Played Hot-Breath Harry (voice) (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    12 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 31, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter

    Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter

    Played Apollo Johnson

    Average Rating
    6.0
    11 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 17, 1939
    88 years ago
  • The Hidden Hand

    The Hidden Hand

    Played Eustis, the chauffeur

    Average Rating
    6.5
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 07, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Murder on a Honeymoon

    Murder on a Honeymoon

    Played Willie (as Sleep 'n' Eat)

    Average Rating
    6.2
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 22, 1935
    92 years ago
  • The Face of Marble

    The Face of Marble

    Played Shadrach

    Average Rating
    4.4
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 19, 1946
    81 years ago
  • Road Show

    Road Show

    Played Willie

    Average Rating
    5.3
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 18, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Home in Indiana

    Home in Indiana

    Played Mo' Rum (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    10 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 15, 1944
    83 years ago
  • The Red Dragon

    The Red Dragon

    Played Chattanooga Brown

    Average Rating
    6.6
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 01, 1945
    81 years ago
  • Murder on a Bridle Path

    Murder on a Bridle Path

    Played 'High-Pockets'

    Average Rating
    4.9
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 17, 1936
    91 years ago
  • Gold Is Where You Find It

    Gold Is Where You Find It

    Played Joshua

    Average Rating
    6.9
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 12, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Hold That Blonde!

    Hold That Blonde!

    Played Willie Shelley

    Average Rating
    6.0
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 23, 1945
    81 years ago
  • Kentucky Kernels

    Kentucky Kernels

    Played Buckshot (as Sleep 'n' Eat)

    Average Rating
    6.3
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 02, 1934
    92 years ago
  • Slightly Honorable

    Slightly Honorable

    Played Art, Elevator Operator

    Average Rating
    4.7
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 22, 1939
    87 years ago
  • I Take This Woman

    I Take This Woman

    Played Sambo

    Average Rating
    5.6
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 02, 1940
    87 years ago
  • The Adventures of Mark Twain

    The Adventures of Mark Twain

    Played Butler

    Average Rating
    6.6
    9 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 20, 1944
    82 years ago
  • Blondie

    Blondie

    Played Porter

    Average Rating
    7.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 30, 1938
    88 years ago
  • The Bride Wore Boots

    The Bride Wore Boots

    Played Joe

    Average Rating
    5.9
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 05, 1946
    81 years ago
  • The Nitwits

    The Nitwits

    Played Sleepy

    Average Rating
    6.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 07, 1935
    92 years ago
  • Blondie on a Budget

    Blondie on a Budget

    Played Newsboy (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 29, 1940
    87 years ago
  • General Spanky

    General Spanky

    Played Henry

    Average Rating
    5.5
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 11, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    6.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 06, 1975
    51 years ago
  • The Guilty Generation

    The Guilty Generation

    Played Club Merlin Doorman (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.1
    8 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 19, 1931
    95 years ago
  • The Smiling Ghost

    The Smiling Ghost

    Played Clarence

    Average Rating
    6.5
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 06, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Busses Roar

    Busses Roar

    Played Sunshine

    Average Rating
    6.6
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 19, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Mummy's Boys

    Mummy's Boys

    Played Catfish

    Average Rating
    4.7
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 02, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Blackmail

    Blackmail

    Played Bunny - the Janitor (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.4
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 08, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Suddenly It's Spring

    Suddenly It's Spring

    Played Porter on Train

    Average Rating
    3.9
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 13, 1947
    80 years ago
  • Thank You, Jeeves!

    Thank You, Jeeves!

    Played Drowsy

    Average Rating
    6.0
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 04, 1936
    90 years ago
  • The Kansan

    The Kansan

    Played Bones

    Average Rating
    5.4
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 10, 1943
    83 years ago
  • Flight from Destiny

    Flight from Destiny

    Played George

    Average Rating
    4.7
    7 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 08, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Blondie Brings Up Baby

    Blondie Brings Up Baby

    Played Hotel Janitor (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 08, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Whispering Ghosts

    Whispering Ghosts

    Played Euclid White Brown

    Average Rating
    6.4
    6 votes
    Release Date
    May 17, 1942
    85 years ago
  • The Monster and the Ape

    The Monster and the Ape

    Played Flash

    Average Rating
    6.1
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 20, 1945
    82 years ago
  • Way Down South

    Way Down South

    Played Chimney Sweep

    Average Rating
    5.8
    6 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 21, 1939
    87 years ago
  • She Wouldn't Say Yes

    She Wouldn't Say Yes

    Played Porter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.9
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 29, 1945
    81 years ago
  • The Girl Who Dared

    The Girl Who Dared

    Played Woodrow

    Average Rating
    5.7
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 05, 1944
    82 years ago
  • Up Pops the Devil

    Up Pops the Devil

    Played Laundryman

    Average Rating
    4.4
    5 votes
    Release Date
    May 19, 1931
    96 years ago
  • Spring Madness

    Spring Madness

    Played Porter on Train

    Average Rating
    3.9
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 11, 1938
    88 years ago
  • Jalna

    Jalna

    Played Sam

    Average Rating
    4.0
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 09, 1935
    91 years ago
  • You Can't Buy Luck

    You Can't Buy Luck

    Played Airline Porter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    4.0
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 30, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Crashing Hollywood

    Crashing Hollywood

    Played Train Porter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.8
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 07, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Music for Millions

    Music for Millions

    Played Red Cap (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.0
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 18, 1944
    82 years ago
  • The Shanghai Chest

    The Shanghai Chest

    Played Willie Best

    Average Rating
    6.1
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 11, 1948
    78 years ago
  • The Body Disappears

    The Body Disappears

    Played Willie

    Average Rating
    5.2
    5 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 22, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Highway West

    Highway West

    Played Bub Wellington

    Average Rating
    5.8
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 07, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Juke Girl

    Juke Girl

    Played Jo-Mo

    Average Rating
    6.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    May 30, 1942
    85 years ago
  • The Lady from Cheyenne

    The Lady from Cheyenne

    Played George

    Average Rating
    4.6
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 11, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Super-Sleuth

    Super-Sleuth

    Played Warts, Martin's manservant

    Average Rating
    5.0
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 16, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Down the Stretch

    Down the Stretch

    Played Noah

    Average Rating
    5.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 18, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Money and the Woman

    Money and the Woman

    Played George Washington Jones

    Average Rating
    3.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 17, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Muss 'em Up

    Muss 'em Up

    Played Janitor at Spivali's Bar (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    5.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 13, 1936
    91 years ago
  • The Powers Girl

    The Powers Girl

    Played Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 15, 1943
    84 years ago
  • We Who Are About to Die

    We Who Are About to Die

    Played Airport Porter (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.8
    4 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 08, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Scattergood Survives a Murder

    Scattergood Survives a Murder

    Played Hipp

    Average Rating
    4.5
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 01, 1942
    84 years ago
  • Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

    Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

    Played Andrew

    Average Rating
    4.3
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 01, 1940
    86 years ago
  • Racing Lady

    Racing Lady

    Played Brass

    Average Rating
    5.3
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 12, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Night Waitress

    Night Waitress

    Played Black Pedestrian

    Average Rating
    5.8
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 18, 1936
    90 years ago
  • Breakdowns of 1941

    Breakdowns of 1941

    Played Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    7.0
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Nov 14, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy

    Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy

    Played Charlie (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    7.3
    3 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 04, 1962
    64 years ago
  • Maisie Gets Her Man

    Maisie Gets Her Man

    Played Sam (Uncredited)

    Average Rating
    6.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 01, 1942
    85 years ago
  • Kisses for Breakfast

    Kisses for Breakfast

    Played Arnold

    Average Rating
    5.5
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Jul 05, 1941
    85 years ago
  • Deep South

    Deep South

    Average Rating
    6.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Private Detective

    Private Detective

    Played Norton's Valet

    Average Rating
    6.0
    2 votes
    Release Date
    Dec 09, 1939
    87 years ago
  • Meet the Missus

    Meet the Missus

    Played Bootblack

    Average Rating
    4.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 04, 1937
    90 years ago
  • Saturday's Heroes

    Saturday's Heroes

    Played Sam

    Average Rating
    7.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 08, 1937
    89 years ago

  • The Lady Fights Back

    Played McTavish

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Oct 01, 1937
    89 years ago
  • Youth Takes a Fling

    Youth Takes a Fling

    Played George

    Average Rating
    1.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 22, 1938
    88 years ago
  • Dixie

    Dixie

    Played Steward (uncredited)

    Average Rating
    3.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 23, 1943
    83 years ago
  • Everybody's Doing It

    Everybody's Doing It

    Played Jasper - Elevator Operator

    Average Rating
    5.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 14, 1938
    89 years ago
  • Two in Revolt

    Two in Revolt

    Played Eph

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Apr 03, 1936
    91 years ago
  • Hot Tip

    Hot Tip

    Played Apollo

    Average Rating
    5.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 20, 1935
    91 years ago
  • I'm from the City

    I'm from the City

    Played Train Porter

    Average Rating
    5.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Aug 05, 1938
    88 years ago
  • Silly Billies

    Silly Billies

    Played Excitement

    Average Rating
    8.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 20, 1936
    91 years ago
  • TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

    TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

    Played Self (archive footage)

    Average Rating
    4.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Jan 01, 2004
    22 years ago
  • Straight, Place and Show

    Straight, Place and Show

    Played Hannibal

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Sep 30, 1938
    88 years ago
  • Half Past Midnight

    Half Past Midnight

    Played Andy Jones

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Mar 01, 1948
    79 years ago
  • Scattergood Baines

    Scattergood Baines

    Played Hipp

    Average Rating
    6.0
    1 votes
    Release Date
    Feb 21, 1941
    86 years ago
  • Ellis in Freedomland

    Ellis in Freedomland

    Played Male Model

    Average Rating
    0.0
    0 votes
    Release Date
    Jun 15, 1952
    74 years ago
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