How old was Willie Best in…

Willie Best

Bio: William “Willie” Best (May 27, 1916 - February 27, 1962), sometimes known as “Sleep n' Eat,” was an American television and film actor. Best was one of the first African-American film actors and comedians to become well known

Born: Tue, May 27 1913

Birthplace: Sunflower, Mississippi, USA

Death: Tue, Nov 27 1962

Willie Best is 49 years old

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Acting Roles

Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

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TV in Black: The First Fifty Years

Willie Best would have been no older than 49 in TV in Black: The First Fifty Years as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jan 01 2004

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Willie Best would have been no older than 49 in Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? as 'Self (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Wed, Aug 06 1975

Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy

Willie Best would have been no older than 49 in Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy as 'Charlie (archive footage)'.

Movie Released: Tue, Dec 04 1962

Ellis in Freedomland

Willie Best was 39 in Ellis in Freedomland as 'Male Model'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jun 15 1952

South of Caliente

Willie Best was 38 in South of Caliente as 'Willie, Stable Boy'.

Movie Released: Mon, Oct 15 1951

The Shanghai Chest

Willie Best was 35 in The Shanghai Chest as 'Willie Best'.

Movie Released: Sun, Jul 11 1948

Half Past Midnight

Willie Best was 34 in Half Past Midnight as 'Andy Jones'.

Movie Released: Mon, Mar 01 1948

The Red Stallion

Willie Best was 34 in The Red Stallion as 'Jackson'.

Movie Released: Sat, Aug 16 1947

Suddenly It's Spring

Willie Best was 33 in Suddenly It's Spring as 'Porter on Train'.

Movie Released: Thu, Feb 13 1947

Dangerous Money

Willie Best was 33 in Dangerous Money as 'Chattanooga Brown'.

Movie Released: Sat, Oct 12 1946

The Bride Wore Boots

Willie Best was 33 in The Bride Wore Boots as 'Joe'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 05 1946

The Face of Marble

Willie Best was 32 in The Face of Marble as 'Shadrach'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jan 19 1946

She Wouldn't Say Yes

Willie Best was 32 in She Wouldn't Say Yes as 'Porter'.

Movie Released: Thu, Nov 29 1945

Hold That Blonde!

Willie Best was 32 in Hold That Blonde! as 'Willie Shelley'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 23 1945

The Red Dragon

Willie Best was 32 in The Red Dragon as 'Chattanooga Brown'.

Movie Released: Wed, Aug 01 1945

Pillow to Post

Willie Best was 32 in Pillow to Post as 'Lucille, Colonial Auto Court Porter'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jun 09 1945

The Monster and the Ape

Willie Best was 31 in The Monster and the Ape as 'Flash'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 20 1945

Music for Millions

Willie Best was 31 in Music for Millions as 'Red Cap (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Mon, Dec 18 1944

The Mark of the Whistler

Willie Best was 31 in The Mark of the Whistler as 'Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Mon, Oct 09 1944

The Girl Who Dared

Willie Best was 31 in The Girl Who Dared as 'Woodrow'.

Movie Released: Sat, Aug 05 1944

The Adventures of Mark Twain

Willie Best was 31 in The Adventures of Mark Twain as 'Butler'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jul 20 1944

Home in Indiana

Willie Best was 31 in Home in Indiana as 'Mo' Rum (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jun 15 1944

Thank Your Lucky Stars

Willie Best was 30 in Thank Your Lucky Stars as 'Soldier in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Sep 25 1943

The Kansan

Willie Best was 30 in The Kansan as 'Bones'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 10 1943

Dixie

Willie Best was 30 in Dixie as 'Stewart'.

Movie Released: Wed, Jun 23 1943

Cabin in the Sky

Willie Best was 29 in Cabin in the Sky as 'Second Idea Man'.

Movie Released: Wed, Mar 24 1943

Cinderella Swings It

Willie Best was 29 in Cinderella Swings It as 'Hipp'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 22 1943

The Powers Girl

Willie Best was 29 in The Powers Girl as 'Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 15 1943

The Hidden Hand

Willie Best was 29 in The Hidden Hand as 'Eustis, the chauffeur'.

Movie Released: Sat, Nov 07 1942

Scattergood Survives a Murder

Willie Best was 29 in Scattergood Survives a Murder as 'Hipp'.

Movie Released: Thu, Oct 01 1942

Busses Roar

Willie Best was 29 in Busses Roar as 'Sunshine'.

Movie Released: Sat, Sep 19 1942

A-Haunting We Will Go

Willie Best was 29 in A-Haunting We Will Go as 'Waiter'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 07 1942

Maisie Gets Her Man

Willie Best was 29 in Maisie Gets Her Man as 'Sam (Uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Mon, Jun 01 1942

Juke Girl

Willie Best was 29 in Juke Girl as 'Jo-Mo'.

Movie Released: Sat, May 30 1942

Whispering Ghosts

Willie Best was 28 in Whispering Ghosts as 'Euclid White Brown'.

Movie Released: Sun, May 17 1942

The Body Disappears

Willie Best was 28 in The Body Disappears as 'Willie'.

Movie Released: Sat, Nov 22 1941

Breakdowns of 1941

Willie Best was 28 in Breakdowns of 1941 as 'Self (archive footage) (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 14 1941

Nothing But the Truth

Willie Best was 28 in Nothing But the Truth as 'Samuel'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 10 1941

Minstrel Days

Willie Best was 28 in Minstrel Days as 'Singer'.

Movie Released: Sat, Sep 06 1941

The Smiling Ghost

Willie Best was 28 in The Smiling Ghost as 'Clarence'.

Movie Released: Sat, Sep 06 1941

Highway West

Willie Best was 28 in Highway West as 'Bub Wellington'.

Movie Released: Thu, Aug 07 1941

Kisses for Breakfast

Willie Best was 28 in Kisses for Breakfast as 'Arnold'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jul 05 1941

The Lady from Cheyenne

Willie Best was 27 in The Lady from Cheyenne as 'George'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 11 1941

Scattergood Baines

Willie Best was 27 in Scattergood Baines as 'Hipp'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 21 1941

Road Show

Willie Best was 27 in Road Show as 'Willie'.

Movie Released: Tue, Feb 18 1941

Flight from Destiny

Willie Best was 27 in Flight from Destiny as 'George'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 08 1941

High Sierra

Willie Best was 27 in High Sierra as 'Algernon'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jan 23 1941

Who Killed Aunt Maggie?

Willie Best was 27 in Who Killed Aunt Maggie? as 'Andrew'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 01 1940

Money and the Woman

Willie Best was 27 in Money and the Woman as 'George Washington Jones'.

Movie Released: Sat, Aug 17 1940

The Ghost Breakers

Willie Best was 27 in The Ghost Breakers as 'Alex'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 21 1940

Blondie on a Budget

Willie Best was 26 in Blondie on a Budget as 'Newsboy (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Feb 29 1940

I Take This Woman

Willie Best was 26 in I Take This Woman as 'Sambo'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 02 1940

Slightly Honorable

Willie Best was 26 in Slightly Honorable as 'Art, Elevator Operator'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 22 1939

Private Detective

Willie Best was 26 in Private Detective as 'Norton's Valet'.

Movie Released: Sat, Dec 09 1939

The Covered Trailer

Willie Best was 26 in The Covered Trailer as 'Baltimore'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 10 1939

Blondie Brings Up Baby

Willie Best was 26 in Blondie Brings Up Baby as 'Hotel Janitor (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Wed, Nov 08 1939

At the Circus

Willie Best was 26 in At the Circus as 'Redcap (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 20 1939

Blackmail

Willie Best was 26 in Blackmail as 'Bunny - the Janitor (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 08 1939

Way Down South

Willie Best was 26 in Way Down South as 'Chimney Sweep'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 21 1939

Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation

Willie Best was 26 in Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation as 'Driver (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 07 1939

Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter

Willie Best was 26 in Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter as 'Apollo Johnson'.

Movie Released: Sat, Jun 17 1939

Mr. Moto in Danger Island

Willie Best was 25 in Mr. Moto in Danger Island as 'Launch Pilot'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 07 1939

The Saint Strikes Back

Willie Best was 25 in The Saint Strikes Back as 'Algernon, Simon's Butler (Uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Wed, Mar 08 1939

Blondie

Willie Best was 25 in Blondie as 'Porter'.

Movie Released: Wed, Nov 30 1938

Spring Madness

Willie Best was 25 in Spring Madness as 'Porter on Train'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 11 1938

Straight, Place and Show

Willie Best was 25 in Straight, Place and Show as 'Hannibal'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 30 1938

Youth Takes a Fling

Willie Best was 25 in Youth Takes a Fling as 'George'.

Movie Released: Thu, Sep 22 1938

I'm from the City

Willie Best was 25 in I'm from the City as 'Train Porter'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 05 1938

Vivacious Lady

Willie Best was 24 in Vivacious Lady as 'Porter'.

Movie Released: Fri, May 13 1938

Goodbye Broadway

Willie Best was 24 in Goodbye Broadway as 'Jughead'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 01 1938

Merrily We Live

Willie Best was 24 in Merrily We Live as 'George'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 04 1938

Gold Is Where You Find It

Willie Best was 24 in Gold Is Where You Find It as 'Joshua'.

Movie Released: Sat, Feb 12 1938

Everybody's Doing It

Willie Best was 24 in Everybody's Doing It as 'Jasper - Elevator Operator'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 14 1938

Crashing Hollywood

Willie Best was 24 in Crashing Hollywood as 'Train Porter (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 07 1938

Saturday's Heroes

Willie Best was 24 in Saturday's Heroes as 'Sam'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 08 1937

The Lady Fights Back

Willie Best was 24 in The Lady Fights Back as 'McTavish'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 01 1937

Mississippi Moods

Willie Best was 24 in Mississippi Moods

Movie Released: Mon, Jul 19 1937

Super-Sleuth

Willie Best was 24 in Super-Sleuth as 'Warts, Martin's manservant'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 16 1937

Meet the Missus

Willie Best was 24 in Meet the Missus as 'Bootblack'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 04 1937

You Can't Buy Luck

Willie Best was 23 in You Can't Buy Luck as 'Airline Porter (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 30 1937

Breezing Home

Willie Best was 23 in Breezing Home as 'Speed'.

Movie Released: Mon, Feb 01 1937

Racing Lady

Willie Best was 23 in Racing Lady as 'Brass'.

Movie Released: Tue, Jan 12 1937

We Who Are About to Die

Willie Best was 23 in We Who Are About to Die as 'Airport Porter (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 08 1937

Deep South

Willie Best was 23 in Deep South

Movie Released: Fri, Jan 01 1937

Night Waitress

Willie Best was 23 in Night Waitress as 'Black Pedestrian'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 18 1936

General Spanky

Willie Best was 23 in General Spanky as 'Henry'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 11 1936

Thank You, Jeeves!

Willie Best was 23 in Thank You, Jeeves! as 'Drowsy'.

Movie Released: Sun, Oct 04 1936

Mummy's Boys

Willie Best was 23 in Mummy's Boys as 'Catfish'.

Movie Released: Fri, Oct 02 1936

Down the Stretch

Willie Best was 23 in Down the Stretch as 'Noah'.

Movie Released: Fri, Sep 18 1936

The Green Pastures

Willie Best was 23 in The Green Pastures as 'Henry - the Angel (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Aug 01 1936

The Bride Walks Out

Willie Best was 23 in The Bride Walks Out as 'Smokie'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jul 10 1936

Murder on a Bridle Path

Willie Best was 22 in Murder on a Bridle Path as ''High-Pockets''.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 17 1936

Two in Revolt

Willie Best was 22 in Two in Revolt as 'Eph'.

Movie Released: Fri, Apr 03 1936

Silly Billies

Willie Best was 22 in Silly Billies as 'Excitement'.

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 20 1936

Muss 'em Up

Willie Best was 22 in Muss 'em Up as 'Janitor at Spivali's Bar (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Feb 13 1936

The Littlest Rebel

Willie Best was 22 in The Littlest Rebel as 'James Henry'.

Movie Released: Fri, Dec 27 1935

To Beat the Band

Willie Best was 22 in To Beat the Band as 'Elevator Operator'.

Movie Released: Sat, Nov 23 1935

Hot Tip

Willie Best was 22 in Hot Tip as 'Apollo'.

Movie Released: Tue, Aug 20 1935

Jalna

Willie Best was 22 in Jalna as 'Sam'.

Movie Released: Fri, Aug 09 1935

The Arizonian

Willie Best was 22 in The Arizonian as 'Pompey'.

Movie Released: Thu, Jun 27 1935

The Nitwits

Willie Best was 22 in The Nitwits as 'Sleepy'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 07 1935

Hit and Rum

Willie Best was 21 in Hit and Rum as 'Shoe Shine Man (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Apr 25 1935

Raised and Called

Willie Best was 21 in Raised and Called

Movie Released: Fri, Mar 22 1935

Murder on a Honeymoon

Willie Best was 21 in Murder on a Honeymoon as 'Willie (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 22 1935

Horse Heir

Willie Best was 21 in Horse Heir

Movie Released: Fri, Feb 01 1935

West of the Pecos

Willie Best was 21 in West of the Pecos as 'Jonah (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Dec 27 1934

Kentucky Kernels

Willie Best was 21 in Kentucky Kernels as 'Buckshot (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Nov 02 1934

Little Miss Marker

Willie Best was 21 in Little Miss Marker as 'Dizzy Memphis (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Fri, Jun 01 1934

The Monster Walks

Willie Best was 18 in The Monster Walks as 'Exodus'.

Movie Released: Sun, Feb 07 1932

The Guilty Generation

Willie Best was 18 in The Guilty Generation as 'Club Merlin Doorman (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Thu, Nov 19 1931

Up Pops the Devil

Willie Best was 17 in Up Pops the Devil as 'Laundryman'.

Movie Released: Tue, May 19 1931

Virtuous Husband

Willie Best was 17 in Virtuous Husband as 'Luftus'.

Movie Released: Sun, Apr 12 1931

Feet First

Willie Best was 17 in Feet First as 'Janitor'.

Movie Released: Thu, Oct 30 1930

Ladies of Leisure

Willie Best was 16 in Ladies of Leisure as 'George (uncredited)'.

Movie Released: Sat, Apr 05 1930

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages

Waterfront

Willie Best was 41+ in Waterfront as 'Billy Slocum'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Aug 21 1954

My Little Margie

Willie Best was 39+ in My Little Margie

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jun 16 1952

Racket Squad

Willie Best was 38+ in Racket Squad

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Jun 07 1951

The Stu Erwin Show

Willie Best was 37+ in The Stu Erwin Show as 'Willie'.

TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Oct 21 1950