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 a bit player.

Career as an actor

Stage

A native of Sunflower, Mississippi, Best reached Hollywood as a chauffeur for a vacationing couple. He decided to stay in the region and began his performing career with a traveling show in southern California. He was regularly hired as a character actor in Hollywood films after a talent scout discovered him on stage.

Film

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 his next five films (Up Pops the Devil (1931), The Monster Walks (1932), Kentucky Kernels and West of the Pecos (both 1934), and Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)). He thereafter usually received credit as “Willie Best” or “William Best.”

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Latest News for: willie best

Actors, costumes and sets bring Narnia to life in Liberty Lake

The Spokesman-Review 13 Feb 2025
The team at Theatre Arts Center at the Lake has deemed its 2024-25 season the “Season of Imagination.” The season began with Roald Dahl’s “Willy> Wonka” and was followed by “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the novel by Barbara Robinson ... 23 ... .

Village People ask to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame amid ...

The Daily Mail 11 Feb 2025
Willis, best known for portraying the cop in the iconic disco group's original lineup, remains at odds with his original bandmates following their decades-old clash that saw him gain ownership and control of the group's name and royalties.

FBI: International's Eva-Jane Willis Talks Being 'Excluded For Bad Behavior' With Smitty's Return To England, But There's More To The Story

Cinema Blend 11 Feb 2025
Actress Eva-Jane Willis spoke with CinemaBlend about what to expect in this week's episode, as well as which member of the Fly Team will be Smitty's best source of support.

Why Clemson baseball's Cam Cannarella enters the 2025 season as a top MLB draft prospect

Independent Mail 10 Feb 2025
Cannarella followed that incredible play with one of the best baseball plays of all time, making a leaping over-the-shoulder Willie Mays-style catch in deep center field with runners on first and second in the 10th inning.

Nauset, Barnstable, Monomoy/Mashpee remain top three. Bourne in race to make playoffs.

Cape Cod Times 10 Feb 2025
The Lions needed some late heroics to beat Nantucket 3-2 on Wednesday on a shorthanded goal by Sean Willis, but they grabbed one of the best wins last week when they blanked the 19th-ranked team in Division 3, Bishop Stang, 4-0.

Writers’ Workshop professor, longlisted for National Book Award, ‘in love with Iowa City’

The Gazette Cedar Rapids 09 Feb 2025
... Award, and included in Best American Poetry compilations, among many other awards — Willis had to learn from her own professor and mentor the devotion she admires in the students she now inspires.

ON THE ROAD gets on board the Valakari Express at St Johnstone, where manager with ...

The Daily Mail 09 Feb 2025
He lasted just more than a hour but his assured passing and ability to pick the best option were obvious ... ‘It might be the best football team we have had, though Tommy Muirhead’s side in the thirties was very impressive.’.

Country star Colt Ford’s advice to Jelly Roll after dropping 150 pounds

New York Post 08 Feb 2025
Young Eagles fan's priceless reaction to Bradley Cooper's surprise Demi Moore ‘shows up’ for Bruce Willis with weekly visits as he battles dementia Drew Barrymore reveals who was her best ...

England captain Itoje turned down French club move to fulfil Test dreams

Yahoo Daily News 07 Feb 2025
There are currently 11 members of England's 2023 World Cup squad playing club rugby in France, with former captain Owen Farrell, Jack Willis and Joe Marchant among the players now unavailable to Borthwick ... I wish them all the best.

Dogs Beat Madill, Marlow, Lose To Plainview In BB Action

Sulphur Times-Democrat 06 Feb 2025
The Dogs didn’t play their best game in their win at Madill in the first of their three games, but got the victory over Wildcats with an outstanding rebounding effort, said head coach Grant Bates ... Willis added 4 assists in the win.

Sporting Life Festival Focus Podcast | Episode 1 'You can't beat the math'

Sporting Life 06 Feb 2025
The talents of Galopin Des Champs are debated at the top of the show before the team go through a raft of each-way options against him, including a couple that were behind Willie Mullins' 'best-ever horse' in the Irish Gold Cup ... Spoiler alert ... .

The mystifying qualities that made France's 'alien' Antoine Dupont the best in the world

Yahoo Daily News 05 Feb 2025
“He’s the best player in the world,” France No 8 Gregory Alldritt affirmed on Friday night after Dupont’s starring role in the Six Nations win over Wales. Toulouse teammate Jack Willis went a step ...

Willie Mullins has Galopin Des Champs Cheltenham Gold Cup treble dream and plan for State ...

RTE 05 Feb 2025
Willie Mullins is doing his best not to think Galopin Des Champs is going to match Arkle and Best Mate with a third Cheltenham Gold Cup – but he knows a "once in a lifetime" achievement is tantalisingly close.
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