Charles Bennett (11 March 1889 – 15 February 1943) was a New Zealand-born American actor who was successful in silent films.
Biography
Bennett was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, and died in Hollywood, California. He started his film career in Keystone comedies like Tillie’s Punctured Romance and The Property Man. He also appeared in the Broadway musical Of Thee I Sing between 1931 and 1933. The sound film damaged his career and he got reduced to bit parts during his later film appearances. Perhaps the most recognizable role of his later film career was the entertainer in the Inquirer party sequence in Citizen Kane (1941), who performs the song “Oh, Mr. Kane!”. He appeared in over 100 films between 1912 until his death in 1943. Bennett was married to actress Boots Mallory.
Partial filmography
How States Are Made (1912, Short)
The Property Man (1914, Short) – George Ham – Lena’s Husband
Mabel’s Blunder (1914, Short) – The Boss – Harry’s Dad
Tillie’s Punctured Romance (1914) – Uncle Banks, Tillie’s millionaire uncle
The Rainbow Girl (1917) – Amos Divine
The Bride of Fear (1918) – Martin Sterling
All Wrong (1919) – Donald Thompson
The Adventures of Ruth (1919) – Wayman
The Top of New York (1922) – Mr. Isaacson
America (1924) – William Pitt
Narcotic (1933) – Hand Wrestler
Treasure Island (1934) – Pirate of the Spanish Main
I Live My Life (1935) – Stewart (uncredited)
Lloyd’s of London (1936) – Coster (uncredited)
Born to Dance (1936) – Quartet Member (uncredited)
Step Lively, Jeeves! (1937) – Steward (uncredited)
The Road Back (1937) – Innkeeper (uncredited)
The Man Who Cried Wolf (1937) – Taxi Manager (uncredited)
A Damsel in Distress (1937) – Carnival Barker (uncredited)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) – Peddler at tournament (uncredited)
Mysterious Mr. Moto (1938) – Cockney Singer (uncredited)
Gunga Din (1939) – Telegraph Operator (uncredited)
The Light That Failed (1939) – Soldier (uncredited)
Adventure in Diamonds (1940) – Cockney Sailor (uncredited)
Citizen Kane (1941) – the Entertainer at the head of the chorus line in the Inquirer party sequence (uncredited)
Man Hunt (1941) – Costermonger (uncredited)
A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941) – Man on Stretcher (uncredited)
Mrs. Miniver (1942) – Milkman (uncredited)
Random Harvest (1942) – Porter (uncredited)
It Ain’t Hay (1943) – SPCA Driver (uncredited) (final film role)
External Links
Actor Charles Bennett – Wikipedia
