W. C. Fields W. C. Fields William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian, actor, juggler and writer. Fields' comic persona was a misanthropic and hard-drinking egotist, who remained a sympathetic character despite his snarling contempt for dogs and children. His career in show business began in vaudeville, where he attained international success as a silent juggler. He gradually incorporated comedy into his act, and was a featured comedian in the Ziegfeld Follies for several years. He became a star in the Broadway musical comedy "Poppy" (1923), in which he played
William Irving (actor) William Irving (actor) William Irving (17 May 1893 – 25 December 1943) was a German-born American film actor. The burly character actor appeared in more than 220 films between 1916 and 1941, often as a "comic heavy" in the comedies of Our Gang or The Three Stooges. Irving also appeared as a cowardly German army cook in "All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930). He played mostly supporting roles in the silent era, but after the introduction of sound films his appearances got noticeably smaller and he was often uncredited. Irving died of a heart attack on Christmas Day, 1943.