William Andrew Jones (February 18, 1907 â€" March 5, 1974), better
known as Billy De Wolfe, was an American character actor. He was
active in films from the mid-1940s until his death in 1974.Born
William Andrew Jones in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy,
Massachusetts, DeWolfe was the son of a Welsh bookbinder who
encouraged him to become a Baptist minister. Instead, Billy developed
an interest in the theatre. He found work as an usher before becoming
a dancer with the Jimmy O'Connor Band. It was at this point that he
changed his last name to De Wolfe, which was the last name of the
manager of the Massachusetts theatre where he worked. He went on to
tour Europe with a dance team, appearing in a London revue called
"Revels in Rhythm" and "danced before royalty on nine continents." At
some point during World War II, he served in the United States Navy
until he was discharged for medical reasons in 1944.He signed with
Paramount Pictures in 1943 and became a reliable comedian. His
pencil-mustached and often pompous character contrasted humorously
with the films' romantic leads. His best-known role of his Paramount
tenure is probably the ham actor-turned-silent movie villain in the
1947 fictionalized Pearl White biography The Perils of Pauline. De
Wolfe became known for his portrayal of fussy, petty men ("Never
touch!," he would say imperiously whenever someone accosted him
physically). The New York Times review of his 1948 film Isn't It
Romantic? strongly criticized the way the other actors' material
limited their performances, contrasting their performances with his:
"But Mr. De Wolfe is nothing daunted. He rips up the place with great
delight. The material is at his mercy. Likewise the scenery. And he
chews it to bits."
known as Billy De Wolfe, was an American character actor. He was
active in films from the mid-1940s until his death in 1974.Born
William Andrew Jones in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy,
Massachusetts, DeWolfe was the son of a Welsh bookbinder who
encouraged him to become a Baptist minister. Instead, Billy developed
an interest in the theatre. He found work as an usher before becoming
a dancer with the Jimmy O'Connor Band. It was at this point that he
changed his last name to De Wolfe, which was the last name of the
manager of the Massachusetts theatre where he worked. He went on to
tour Europe with a dance team, appearing in a London revue called
"Revels in Rhythm" and "danced before royalty on nine continents." At
some point during World War II, he served in the United States Navy
until he was discharged for medical reasons in 1944.He signed with
Paramount Pictures in 1943 and became a reliable comedian. His
pencil-mustached and often pompous character contrasted humorously
with the films' romantic leads. His best-known role of his Paramount
tenure is probably the ham actor-turned-silent movie villain in the
1947 fictionalized Pearl White biography The Perils of Pauline. De
Wolfe became known for his portrayal of fussy, petty men ("Never
touch!," he would say imperiously whenever someone accosted him
physically). The New York Times review of his 1948 film Isn't It
Romantic? strongly criticized the way the other actors' material
limited their performances, contrasting their performances with his:
"But Mr. De Wolfe is nothing daunted. He rips up the place with great
delight. The material is at his mercy. Likewise the scenery. And he
chews it to bits."
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