Charles Butterworth was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Second Chorus, Love Me Tonight, and This Is the Army.
Personal and Family Life
Charles Butterworth was born on July 26, 1896, in South Bend, Indiana. He graduated from Notre Dame’s law school in 1924 but chose to pursue a career in journalism instead. Butterworth married Ethel Kenyon in 1932, but they divorced in 1939. At the time of his death, he was engaged to actress Natalie Schafer.
Career
Before moving to Hollywood in 1930, Charles Butterworth performed on Broadway. He became popular in the 1930s as the best friend of leading characters, known for his witty ad-libs during filming. Though he had notable successes, his fame declined in the late 1930s, and he worked with smaller studios in the 1940s. His last film was Dixie Jamboree in 1944.
Death and Legacy
Charles Butterworth died in a car accident on June 13, 1946, in Los Angeles. While officially ruled an accident, some believe he may have intentionally crashed due to his grief over losing his close friend, Robert Benchley, earlier that year. His legacy includes being remembered as a comedic talent who brought humor to many films of his era.