Willie Best

This article is about the actor. For other uses, see William Best.

Willie Best
Best in Dangerous Money (1946)
Born
William Best

(1913-05-27)May 27, 1913
Sunflower, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 1962(1962-02-27) (aged 48)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeValhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Other namesSleep 'n' Eat
OccupationActor
Years active1930–1955

William Best (May 27, 1913[1][2][3] – February 27, 1962), known professionally as Willie Best or Sleep 'n' Eat,[4] was an American television and film actor.[5][6]

Best was one of the first African American film actors and comedians to become well known. In the 21st century, his work, like that of Stepin Fetchit, is sometimes reviled[citation needed] because he was often called upon to play stereotypically lazy, illiterate, and/or simple-minded characters in films. Of the 124 films he appeared in, he received screen credit in at least 77, an unusual feat for an African American bit player.

  1. ^ Cox, James L. (2001). The Mississippi Almanac : The Ultimate Reference on the State, 2001-2002. Yazoo City, MS : Computer Search & Research. ISBN 9780964354524; Reproduced in "Black History... Mississippi Style". The Mississippi Link. March 6, 2002. Retrieved February 4, 2021 via Proquest.
  2. ^ Radishofski, Kathryn. "Willie Best (1913-1962), Actor". MississippiEncyclopedia.org. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Ellenburger, Allan (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. Jefferson, NC ; McFarland & Company. Page 201. ISBN 0-7864-0983-5.
  4. ^ Littleton, Darryl (2006). Black Comedians on Black Comedy: How black Americans Taught Us to Laugh. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 46. ISBN 9781557836809. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
  5. ^ "Willie Best - About This Person - Movies & TV - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2012. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  6. ^ "Movie Review - The Smiling Ghost - Poor Ghost - NYTimes.com". Retrieved March 24, 2016.