Biography for
William Demarest More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

27 February 1892, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Date of Death

28 December 1983, Palm Springs, California, USA (prostate cancer/pneumonia)

Birth Name

Carl William Demarest

Height

5' 9½" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography

Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, William Demarest was a prolific actor in movies and TV, making more than 140 films. Demarest started his acting career in vaudeville and made his way to Broadway. His most famous role was in "My Three Sons" (1960), replacing a very sick William Frawley. Demarest was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting role in the real-life biography, The Jolson Story (1946). He did not win. This was the first and only time Demarest was nominated for any Academy Award.

IMDb Mini Biography By: rocknrollunderdawg

Spouse

Lucile Thayer	(1939 - 28 December 1983) (his death)
Estelle Collette	(? - ?)

Trivia

Brother of actor Rube Demarest.

Began his career in vaudeville.

Co-starred on NBC Radio's "The Eddie Bracken Story" (1945).

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 135. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

A golf enthusiast, he died the same day and year as pro golfer Jimmy Demaret.

Former professional boxer

Had a falling-out with actor/singer Al Jolsen

Hated to talk about his boxing career

Played a character with the name Steve Martin in two movies The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949).

Interestingly, Mr. Demarest appeared in "The Jazz Singer" (albeit uncredited) starring Al Jolson and also appeared in the "The Jolson Story" (and later "Jolson Sings Again") which recounts (among other things) the making of "The The Jazz Singer." He appears to be the only performer to have appeared in both movies.