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 Courtenay (actor) years he appeared alternatively in plays and motion pictures. His first of five sound films, "Evidence" for Warner Brothers, is lost. His penultimate sound film "Three Faces East" with Constance Bennett is restored and on DVD. William Courtenay died at Rye, New York on April 20, 1933. His widow Virginia died in 1946. William Courtenay (actor) William Courtenay (June 19, 1875 – April 20, 1933) was a noted Broadway star and later film actor. He was born William Hancock Kelly. At age 19 in 1894, before his Broadway career took off, Courtenay appeared in Alexander Black's slide show "Miss Jerry".