Ben Lessy
Ben Lessy | |
---|---|
Born |
New York City, New York, U.S. | April 29, 1902
Died |
October 30, 1992 90) Beverly Hills, California, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor; Comedian |
Years active | 1933–1981 |
Ben Lessy (April 29, 1902 – October 30, 1992) was an American nightclub comedian and television and film actor.
Early life
He was born in New York City, New York.
Career
Lessy was known for a nightclub act done with Patti Moore, the long-time wife of his best friend and agent, Sammy Lewis.They were regulars at Los Angeles nightclubs Slapsy Maxie's and Billy Gray's Band Box. Lessy appeared in over 50 films and television episodes between 1938 and 1981. His first film role was the black and white, 20 minute Cafe Rendezvous (1938) and his career ended with the Billy Wilder film Buddy Buddy (1981). Lessy's film credits include Music for Millions (1944), Dark Delusion (1947) (the last entry in MGM's Dr. Kildare series),The Pirate (1948) (Lessy's 9th, and final, movie during his 7 years at MGM),The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), Just for You (1952),Gypsy (1962), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Pajama Party (1964), That Darn Cat! (1965), and The Love Machine (1971). His television credits include Make Room for Daddy (1953–59 : 19 episodes), The Jack Benny Program (1959–64 : 3 episodes), That Girl (1966), Petticoat Junction (1967), The New Andy Griffith Show (1971), and McMillan & Wife (1976).
Lessy died on October 30, 1992, aged 90 from natural causes.
Filmography
- Second Chorus (1940) - Shaw's Second Manager (uncredited)
- Woman of the Year (1942) - Punchy (uncredited)
- For Me and My Gal (1942) - Dough Boy Dan (uncredited)
- Youth on Parade (1942) - Piano Player (uncredited)
- Thousands Cheer (1943) - Silent Monk
- Music for Millions (1944) - Kickebush
- Two Sisters from Boston (1946) - Rogetto - Olstrom's Valet (uncredited)
- Dark Delusion (1947) - Napoleon
- The Pirate (1948) - Gumbo
- The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) - Shorty
- Purple Heart Diary (1951) - Ben Lessey
- Just for You (1952) - Georgie Polansky
- Gypsy (1962) - Mervyn Goldstone
- It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) - George, the steward (uncredited)
- I'd Rather Be Rich (1964) - 1st Hunter (uncredited)
- Pajama Party (1964) - Fleegle
- That Funny Feeling (1965) - Charlie - Bartender
- That Darn Cat! (1965) - Drive-In Concessionaire (uncredited)
- The Last of the Secret Agents? (1966) - Harry
- The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967) - Indian Chief
- The Love Machine (1971) - Kenny Ditto
- Buddy Buddy (1981) - Barney Pritzig (Last appearance)
External links
- Ben Lessy at the Internet Movie Database
- Ben Lessy at Find a Grave
- Ben Lessy at AllMovie