W.C. Fields

Biography

William Claude Dukenfield, known as W.C. Fields, was born on January 29, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Cockney immigrant James Dukenfield and local native Kate Felton. As the eldest of five children, Fields had a tumultuous childhood. He attended school for just four years before leaving to assist his father in selling vegetables from a horse-drawn cart. At the age of eleven, after enduring abuse from his alcoholic father, he ran away from home, living in a makeshift shelter and relying on stolen food and clothing. His early life was marked by hardship, including being beaten and spending nights in jail.

Fields began working at a young age, initially delivering ice, and by thirteen, he had developed talents as a pool player and juggler. His career as an entertainer took off at an amusement park in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where he perfected his signature act of feigning failure while juggling. In 1893, he began performing at Fortescue's Pier in Atlantic City, even staging fake drownings to attract audiences. By nineteen, he was recognized as "The Distinguished Comedian" and began opening bank accounts in various cities.

Fields starred in the Ziegfeld Follies from 1915 to 1921 and achieved acclaim in the musical "Poppy," which premiered in New York in 1923. His film debut came with "Pool Sharks" in 1915, and he went on to make thirty-seven films, predominantly for Paramount. In 1939, he transitioned to Universal, creating films largely written for his unique comedic style. After battling several serious illnesses, including pneumonia, W.C. Fields passed away on December 25, 1946.