Beery, Wallace

Beery, Wallace (Fitzgerald)

(born April 1, 1885, Kansas City, Mo., U.S.—died April 15, 1949, Los Angeles, Calif.) U.S. film and stage actor. He initially worked in the circus and later in the choruses of New York City theatrical productions. After playing the lead in The Yankee Tourist, he spent several years as a dramatic actor in touring and stock companies. He started his film career in 1913, first as a comedian in Mack Sennett's Keystone comedies. He is best known for his performances as dim-witted, but endearing, toughs in such films as The Champ (1931, Academy Award), Min and Bill (1931), and Tugboat Annie (1933).

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Beery, Wallace (1889–1949) movie actor; born in Kansas City, Mo. (half-brother of Noah Beery.) After working in the circus and in Broadway musicals, he went to Hollywood and began his long movie career in 1913. At first he played tough villains but with sound movies he assumed a new persona as a rough-edged but lovable character. He won an Oscar for best actor in The Champ (1931) and although he did not retain the popularity he enjoyed during the 1930s, he continued in movies until his death.