Biography of Edgar Kennedy

Biography of Edgar Kennedy, famous character actor in silent and talking films, costarring with Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, …

Edgar Kennedy (April 26, 1890 – November 9, 1948)

Edgar Kennedy was an American actor, born on April 26, 1890, in Monterey, California, United States. He began his career in the entertainment industry as boxer. Edgar supposedly went fourteen rounds in the ring with Jack Dempsey. He went on to be a stage actor and comedian, working in vaudeville shows in the early 1900s.

In 1911, Kennedy made his film debut in the silent film “Brown of Harvard.” He went on to appear in over 400 films throughout his career, primarily in supporting roles as a character actor. He was best known for his work in comedy films, particularly in the 1930s and 1940s.

Unaccustomed as we are (1929), starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Edgar Kennedy — *Unaccustomed as we are* (1929),
starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy,
Mae Busch, Edgar Kennedy

Kennedy often played the role of a grumpy, short-tempered character, known for his catchphrase “I’ll murder you!” He appeared in many films alongside other comedy legends such as Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, and W.C. Fields.

In 1930, RKO-Pathe featured Kennedy in a pair of short-subject comedies, Next Door Neighbors and Help Wanted, Female. His characterization of a short-tempered householder was so effective, RKO built a series around him. The “Average Man” comedies starred Kennedy as a blustery, stubborn everyman determined to accomplish a household project or get ahead professionally. Despite the meddling of his featherbrained wife (usually Florence Lake), her freeloading brother (originally William Eugene, then Jack Rice) and his dubious mother-in-law (Dot Farley). Kennedy pioneered the kind of domestic situation comedy that later became familiar on television. Each installment ended with Kennedy embarrassed, humbled or defeated, looking at the camera and doing his patent slow burn.

Additional work

Some of Kennedy’s notable film credits include “Duck Soup” (1933), “The Music Box” (1932), “Penguin Pool Murder” (1932), and “The Black Doll” (1938).

In addition to his film work, Kennedy also made appearances on television in the 1950s.

Average Man

The Edgar Kennedy Series, with its theme song “Chopsticks”, became a standard part of the moviegoing experience. He made six “Average Man” shorts a year for 17 years. In 1938, he worked as a straight man for British comedian Will Hay in Hey! Hey! USA.

Edgar Kennedy’s personal life

Edgar Kennedy married Patricia Violet Allyn on August 21, 1924 until his death. They had 2 children together, Colleen and Larry. He passed away on November 9, 1948, in Woodland Hills, California, at the age of 58, due to throat cancer.

“It’s a cinch to steal a scene or crab an act if you know the trick in the trade, but it isn’t done any more and for very good reasons — the director is wise to you and reshoots the scene, or it spoils the scene, and nobody goes anywhere. But it’s a marvelous stunt to get back at a guy if you don’t like him, or you think he’s double-crossing you.”

Selected Films with Charlie Chaplin

Selected films with Laurel and Hardy

Trivia

As a character actor he rarely smiled on-screen. But in real life he was jovial and friendly and would talk to fans as though they were best friends.
His most regular golfing partner was Mickey Rooney.
One of the original Keystone Kops.
Comedian acknowledged as master of the “slow burn” when antagonized.
Died on November 9, 1948, two days before a scheduled testimonial dinner planned in his honor by his fellow actors wishing to toast his career.
Interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California, USA, Section D, Sacred Heart, Grave 7, Lot 193.
He was one of the first entertainers to be honoured , posthumously, by a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame.