Willie Best(1916-1962)
- Actor
- Soundtrack
One of the hard-working, unappreciated African-American actors of
Hollywood's "Golden Era" who produced good work with what he was given.
He starred alongside some of film's great comedians including the Marx
Brothers, Bob Hope, Laurel and Hardy and three films with Shirley
Temple.
Best is sometimes confused with William "Pat" Best, a musician and writer of (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.. After a drug arrest ended his
film career, he worked in television for a while before retiring to
obscurity. He passed away at the Motion Picture Country Home and is
buried in North Hollywood, California.
Best was one of the victims of the racist attitudes of the era, never given the opportunity to fully flex his comedic muscle beyond the stereotyped porter and janitor roles that dominated his career. Sadly he was also a victim of backlash for these same roles during the Civil Rights movement and it is hard to watch many of his films without cringing, despite his ability.
Best was one of the victims of the racist attitudes of the era, never given the opportunity to fully flex his comedic muscle beyond the stereotyped porter and janitor roles that dominated his career. Sadly he was also a victim of backlash for these same roles during the Civil Rights movement and it is hard to watch many of his films without cringing, despite his ability.
