More people are driven insane through religious hysteria than by drinking alcohol.

1880-1946 (Age at death: 66 approx.)

William Claude Dukenfield, known as W. C. Fields (January 29, 1880 - December 25, 1946) was an American comedian, actor and juggler. Fields created one of the great American comic personas of the first half of the 20th century: a misanthropic and hard-drinking egotist who remained a sympathetic character despite his snarling contempt for dogs, children, and women.

The characterization that he portrayed in films and radio was so strong it became generally identified with Fields himself. It was maintained by the movie-studio publicity departments at Fields's studios (Paramount and Universal) and further established by Robert Lewis Taylor's 1949 biography W.C. Fields, His Follies and Fortunes. Beginning in 1973, with the publication of Fields's letters, photos, and personal notes in grandson Ronald Fields's book W.C. Fields by Himself, it has been shown that Fields was married (and subsequently estranged from his wife), and he financially supported their son and loved his grandchildren.

Country: United States

Type: Prose
Context: Unknown
Source: http://www.csmngt.com/w__c__fields.htm
Cited By: unknown