Benchley, Robert (Charles)

(born Sept. 15, 1889, Worcester, Mass., U.S.—died Nov. 21, 1945, New York, N.Y., U.S.) U.S. drama critic, actor, and humorist. Benchley graduated from Harvard University and joined the staff of Life magazine in 1920. A regular member of the Algonquin Round Table, he was drama critic for The New Yorker 1929–40, for which he also wrote “The Wayward Press” column under the pseudonym Guy Fawkes. He had bit parts in many feature films, but he is best known for more than 40 short subjects, including How to Sleep (1934, Academy Award). His writing was warmly humorous, his satire sharp but not cruel.

Benchley, Robert (Charles) (1889–1945) writer, humorist, actor; born in Worcester, Mass. Onetime editor of the Harvard Lampoon, he worked as a journalist and magazine editor. He became the leading humorist of his day as the New Yorker 's columnist, "Guy Fawkes," and drama critic (1927–40). A member of the Algonquin Round Table, he became a popular radio personality, film actor, and screenwriter; he performed several of his humorous monologues in short films, including the first such made in the U.S.A., The Treasurer's Report (1928). His benign comic sketches were collected in 15 volumes, including Benchley Beside Himself (1943).