They Lived Here “W.C. FIELDS”

For some, the perils of life are often too much to bear. From family issues, to financial problems, the pressures seem endless. W.C. Fields however, found an escape from his problems - humor. As an actor and comedian, famous for his unique American personas in the early 20th Century, Fields once lived in a house near Little Neck Bay.
Fields was born William Claude Dukenfield on January 29, 1880 in Darby, PA. His father, James, came from a distinguished English-Irish family who were descendants of Lord Dukenfield of Cheshire. Emigrating to America in 1857, James followed his father’s footsteps as a comb maker before exploring other careers as a baker and a huckster. Fields’ mother, Kate Felton, a native of Philadelphia, was also of English descent.
As the eldest of five children, Fields attended school for only four years, after which he was forced to assist his father in selling vegetables from a horse-drawn cart. While Fields accepted the responsibility of providing for his family, he fostered a deep desire to entertain and perform.
It was not an easy journey for Fields however as he shared a truculent relationship with his alcoholic father. Often the victim of his father’s cantankerous attitude, Fields withstood numerous scuffles as a child. After years of frustration however, Fields left home at the age of 11 and never looked back.
By the age of 18, Fields had endured various hardships while living on his own. He literally lived in a hole in the ground and resorted to stealing for food and clothing. Fields regularly spent nights in jail and got into fights, which helped produce his trademark battered red nose which he often referred to as a “prominent proboscis.” Finding steady work delivering ice, Fields decided to pursue his passion for performing.
He entered vaudeville where he learned the tricks of the trade. At an amusement park in Norristown, PA, Fields was hired as an entertainer using his keen street smarts. He drew audiences when business was slow by pretending to lose things as he was juggling.
Fields refined his skills with age and by the time he turned 21, he became a headline juggler. Later adding comedy to his act, Fields became an instant hit in both North America and Europe, earning himself the nickname “The Distinguished Comedian.”
Opening at the Palace in London, Fields performed alongside Sarah Bernhardt at Buckingham Palace and Charlie Chaplin at the Folies-Bergere. With his career rapidly rising, Fields decided to try his hand at Broadway. It was at this time that Fields settled in New York, where he made his home in a house near Little Neck Bay.
He made his debut in 1906 in the musical comedy The Ham Tree. In 1923, Fields made his first theatrical performance in the Broadway musical, Poppy. Having proven himself on the Broadway stages, Fields’ next challenge would be Hollywood.
Like numerous vaudevillians before him, Fields was relegated to work in silent films upon arrival in Hollywood. Later in his career, Fields took roles of hustlers, card sharks and carnival barkers. The role he was most proud of however was that of Mr. Micawber in the 1935 MGM rendition of the Charles Dickens classic, David Copperfield. Having high expectations however cost him as he turned down the role of the wizard in The Wizard of Oz, saying that the role was too small.
After his film days were behind him, Fields turned his attention to radio. His insult-loaded program with dummy Charlie McCarthy was a fan favorite in 1938. This newfound attention put Fields back in the spotlight and bought him a few more feature film performances, despite the toll his heavy drinking took on him. You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man (1939) and My Little Chickadee starring Mae West (1940) proved that Fields had more to offer than many assumed. Universal then gave him the green light for The Bank Dick (1940), his most well known film. Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941) was Fields’ final comedic masterpiece.
Spending his final days in a hospital bed, Fields was often found immersed in the Bible. Sensing his imminent demise, Fields said, “I’m looking for loopholes.” He died on Christmas Day, 1946, due to a stomach hemorrhage at the age of 66.