Known For
Acting
Known Credits
202
Gender
Male
Birthday
September 29, 1887 (138 years old)
Place of Birth
Orange, New South Wales, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Billy Bevan (born William Bevan Harris, 29 September 1887 – 26 November 1957) was an Australian-born vaudevillian, who became an American film actor. He appeared in 254 American films between 1916 and 1950.
Bevan was born in the country town of Orange, New South Wales, Australia. He went on the stage at an early age, traveled to Sydney and spent eight years in Australian light opera, performing as Willie Bevan. He sailed to America with the Pollard’s Lilliputian Opera Company in 1912 and later toured Canada. Bevan broke into films with the Sigmund Lubin studio in 1916. When the company disbanded, Bevan became a supporting actor in Mack Sennett movie comedies. An expressive pantomimist, Bevan's quiet scene-stealing attracted attention, and by 1922 Bevan was a Sennett star. He supplemented his income, however, by establishing a citrus and avocado farm at Escondido, California.
Usually filmed wearing a derby hat and a drooping mustache, Bevan may not have possessed an indelible screen character like Charlie Chaplin but he had a friendly, funny presence in the frantic Sennett comedies. Much of the comedy depended on Bevan's skilled timing and reactions; the famous "oyster" routine performed on film by Curly Howard, Lou Costello, and Huntz Hall—in which a bowl of "fresh oyster stew" shows alarming signs of life and battles the guy trying to eat it—was originated on film decades earlier by Bevan in the short film Wandering Willies.
By the mid-1920s Bevan was often teamed with Andy Clyde; Clyde soon graduated to his own starring series. The late 1920s found Bevan playing in wild marital farces for Sennett.
The advent of talking pictures took their toll on the careers of many silent stars, including Billy Bevan. Bevan began a second career in "talkies" as a character actor and bit player in roles such as that of a bus driver in the 1929 film High Voltage, a hotel employee in the Mae Murray film Peacock Alley, and the supporting role of Second Lieutenant Trotter in Journey's End in 1930. His starring roles had come to an end, however, and for the next 20 years he often would play rowdy Cockneys (as in Pack Up Your Troubles with The Ritz Brothers), and affable Englishmen (as in Tin Pan Alley and Terror by Night). He played a friendly bus conductor opposite Greer Garson in one of the opening scenes of Mrs. Miniver.
Bevan died in 1957 in Escondido, California, just before new audiences discovered him in Robert Youngson's silent-comedy compilations. (The Youngson films mispronounce his name as "Be-VAN"; Bevan himself offered the proper pronunciation in a Voice of Hollywood reel in 1930.)
| 1963 | 30 Years of Funas (archive footage) | |
| 1957 | The Golden Age of Comedyas archive footage | |
| 1952 | Hans Christian Andersenas Town Councilman (uncredited) | |
| 1951 | The Slappiest Days of Our Livesas (archive footage) | |
| 1950 | Three Secretsas Ed Jackson (uncredited) | |
| 1950 | Rogues of Sherwood Forestas Will Scarlet | |
| 1950 | Fortunes of Captain Bloodas Billy Bragg | |
| 1949 | Tell It to the Judgeas Winston, Kitty's Butler (uncredited) | |
| 1949 | The Secret Of St. Ivesas Douglas (uncredited) | |
| 1949 | The Secret Gardenas Barney | |
| 1948 | Let's Live a Littleas Morton | |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Showas Self | |
| 1948 | The Black Arrowas Dungeon Keeper | |
| 1948 | The Swordsmanas Old Andrew | |
| 1947 | It Had to Be Youas Evans | |
| 1947 | Moss Roseas Harry, Cab Driver (uncredited) | |
| 1946 | Cluny Brownas Uncle Arn Porritt | |
| 1946 | Devotionas Mr. Ames (uncredited) | |
| 1946 | Terror by Nightas Conductor Taking Tickets | |
| 1945 | The Picture of Dorian Grayas Malvolio Jones | |
| 1945 | National Velvetas Constable (uncredited) | |
| 1945 | Tonight and Every Nightas Cabbie (uncredited) | |
| 1944 | The Pearl of Deathas Constable With Food Tray (uncredited) | |
| 1944 | The Invisible Man's Revengeas Police Sergeant (uncredited) | |
| 1944 | The Lodgeras | |
| 1943 | Jane Eyreas Bookie (uncredited) | |
| 1943 | The Return of the Vampireas Horace (uncredited) | |
| 1943 | Forever and a Dayas Wartime Cabby | |
| 1943 | London Blackout Murdersas Air Raid Warden | |
| 1943 | Happy Times and Jolly Momentsas (archive footage) | |
| 1942 | I Married a Witchas Puritan Vendor (uncredited) | |
| 1942 | Counter-Espionageas George Barrow | |
| 1942 | Mrs. Miniveras Bus Conductor (uncredited) | |
| 1942 | This Above Allas Farmer | |
| 1942 | The Man Who Wouldn't Dieas Phillips | |
| 1941 | Confirm or Denyas Mr. Bindle | |
| 1941 | Suspicionas Ticket Taker (uncredited) | |
| 1941 | Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hydeas Mr. Weller | |
| 1941 | Shining Victoryas Chivers | |
| 1941 | Penny Serenadeas McDougal (uncredited) | |
| 1940 | Tin Pan Alleyas Stage Doorman | |
| 1940 | The Long Voyage Homeas Joe | |
| 1940 | Rebeccaas Policeman (uncredited) | |
| 1940 | The Invisible Man Returnsas Jim (uncredited) | |
| 1940 | The Earl of Chicagoas Castle Guide | |
| 1939 | We Are Not Aloneas Mr. Jones | |
| 1939 | Pack Up Your Troublesas British Sergeant | |
| 1939 | Captain Furyas Duffy | |
| 1939 | Let Freedom Ringas Cockney (uncredited) | |
| 1938 | A Christmas Carolas Street Watch Leader | |
| 1938 | Arrest Bulldog Drummondas Aquarium Guard | |
| 1938 | Shadows Over Shanghaias Gallicuddy | |
| 1938 | Mysterious Mr. Motoas Customs Official | |
| 1938 | The Young in Heartas Kennel Man (uncredited) | |
| 1938 | Blond Cheatas Bartender (uncredited) | |
| 1938 | The Girl of the Golden Westas Nick | |
| 1938 | Bringing Up Babyas Joe (uncredited) | |
| 1937 | The Wrong Roadas McLean | |
| 1937 | The Sheik Steps Outas Munson | |
| 1937 | Another Dawnas Pvt. Hawkins | |
| 1937 | Slave Shipas Atkins | |
| 1937 | Personal Propertyas Frank (uncredited) | |
| 1937 | God's Country and the Womanas Plug Hat | |
| 1936 | Lloyd's of Londonas Innkeeper | |
| 1936 | Piccadilly Jimas Taxi Driver | |
| 1936 | Private Numberas Frederick | |
| 1936 | Dracula's Daughteras Albert | |
| 1936 | Champagne Charlieas Mr. Boswick | |
| 1936 | Mr. Deeds Goes to Townas Cabby (uncredited) | |
| 1936 | Song and Dance Manas Curtis | |
| 1935 | A Tale of Two Citiesas Jerry Cruncher | |
| 1935 | The Widow from Monte Carloas Officer Watkins | |
| 1935 | The Last Outpostas Private Foster | |
| 1935 | Black Sheepas Alfred | |
| 1935 | Vanessa: Her Love Storyas Horse Auctioneer | |
| 1935 | Mystery Womanas Jepson | |
| 1934 | Caravanas Police Sergeant | |
| 1934 | Limehouse Bluesas Herb | |
| 1934 | Bulldog Drummond Strikes Backas Man in Hotel Room | |
| 1934 | One More Riveras Cloakroom Attendant | |
| 1934 | Shockas Meadows | |
| 1934 | Stingareeas Mac | |
| 1934 | The Lost Patrolas Hale | |
| 1933 | Pop's Palas Grandpa | |
| 1933 | Alice in Wonderlandas Two of Spades (uncredited) | |
| 1933 | The Way to Loveas M. Prial | |
| 1933 | Too Much Harmonyas Stage Director | |
| 1933 | The Big Squealas Jake Burke | |
| 1933 | Thundering Taxisas One of the Taxi Boys | |
| 1933 | Peg o' My Heartas Detective #2 (uncredited) | |
| 1933 | A Study in Scarletas Will Swallow | |
| 1933 | Uncle Jakeas Uncle Jake | |
| 1933 | Looking Forwardas Mr. Barker | |
| 1933 | Techno-Crazyas Mary's Father - the Mayor | |
| 1933 | Cavalcadeas George Grainger | |
| 1933 | Luxury Lineras Schultz | |
| 1933 | She Whoops To Conqueras | |
| 1932 | Me and My Galas Ashley, Arguing Drunk (uncredited) | |
| 1932 | Payment Deferredas Charlie Hammond | |
| 1932 | Honeymoon Beachas Billy Bevan | |
| 1932 | The Spot on the Rugas Gerald J. Fitzgerald | |
| 1932 | Vanity Fairas Joseph Sedley | |
| 1932 | Sky Devilsas Colonel | |
| 1932 | The Silent Witnessas Horace Ward | |
| 1931 | Who's Who in the Zooas Father | |
| 1931 | Waterloo Bridgeas Soldier on the Make (uncredited) | |
| 1931 | Transatlanticas Hodgkins | |
| 1931 | Chancesas Cuthbert (uncredited) | |
| 1931 | Born to Loveas Departing British Soldier (uncredited) | |
| 1930 | For the Love o' Lilas Edward O. Walker | |
| 1930 | Monte Carloas Train Conductor (uncredited) | |
| 1930 | Temptationas Sam | |
| 1930 | Journey's Endas Trotter | |
| 1930 | Scotchas Gilbert - Addie's Brother | |
| 1930 | Peacock Alleyas Walter | |
| 1929 | Weak But Willingas George Downing | |
| 1929 | The Trespasseras Reporter (uncredited) | |
| 1929 | High Voltageas Gus Jones | |
| 1929 | Don't Get Jealousas Billy Blake | |
| 1929 | Pink Pajamasas Billy Brooks | |
| 1929 | Calling Hubby's Bluffas Billy Barton | |
| 1929 | The Sky Hawkas Tom Berry | |
| 1928 | His New Stenographeras Billy Brooks | |
| 1928 | Riley the Copas Paris Cabman | |
| 1928 | Hubby's Weekend Tripas Bill Blake | |
| 1928 | Motorboat Mamasas Billy Bender | |
| 1928 | His Unlucky Nightas Billy Trotter | |
| 1928 | The Girl from Nowhereas Constable Billy Barnes | |
| 1928 | The Bicycle Flirtas Doty Bassett - the Bicycle Flirt | |
| 1928 | The Best Manas Best Man | |
| 1928 | The Beach Clubas | |
| 1927 | The Girl from Everywhereas Messenger | |
| 1927 | The Bull Fighteras Pete De Tour | |
| 1927 | Gold Digger of Weepahas The Barber | |
| 1927 | The Golf Nutas Billy Divott | |
| 1927 | Cured in the Excitementas Professor Brawn | |
| 1927 | A Small Town Princessas Joe Whiffet | |
| 1927 | Peaches and Plumbersas Bill the Plumber | |
| 1927 | Easy Pickingsas The Detective | |
| 1927 | Should Sleepwalkers Marry?as Charley Carter | |
| 1926 | Flirty Four-Flushersas Jerry Connors / Archibald De Shyster | |
| 1926 | Masked Mamasas Casey McCorkle | |
| 1926 | Should Husbands Marry?as The Cop | |
| 1926 | Hoboken to Hollywoodas Billy Judkins | |
| 1926 | Hubby’s Quiet Little Gameas Billy Foote | |
| 1926 | A Sea Dog's Taleas Wilbur Watts | |
| 1926 | Ice Cold Cocosas Gus Gander | |
| 1926 | Musclebound Musicas Billy Hornby | |
| 1926 | Fight Nightas Walter Moore | |
| 1926 | Hayfoot, Strawfoot?as Pete | |
| 1926 | Wandering Williesas Percy Nudge | |
| 1926 | Circus Todayas Gus Barnum | |
| 1926 | Trimmed in Goldas Otto Stropp | |
| 1926 | Whispering Whiskersas The Drifter | |
| 1925 | From Rags to Britchesas Joe Bush | |
| 1925 | Over Thereaboutsas Joe Dobell | |
| 1925 | Butter Fingersas Nick | |
| 1925 | The Iron Nagas Joe Gobb | |
| 1925 | Sneezing Beezersas Joe Honck - Taxi Driver | |
| 1925 | Super-Hooper-Dyne Lizziesas Hiram Case | |
| 1925 | The Lion's Whiskersas Otto Klutch | |
| 1925 | Giddap!as Gaspard De Brie | |
| 1925 | Honeymoon Hardshipsas Farmer | |
| 1924 | Off His Trolleyas The Traffic Cop | |
| 1924 | The Cannon Ball Expressas Adam Fargo - Baggage Master | |
| 1924 | Galloping Bungalowsas John Syrup Soother | |
| 1924 | Wandering Waistlinesas Sandy Hook - Sailor | |
| 1924 | Little Robinson Corkscrewas The Sheriff | |
| 1924 | Three Foolish Weeksas King of Anchovia | |
| 1924 | Lizzies of the Fieldas Bud Gasket | |
| 1924 | East of the Water Plugas The Sheriff | |
| 1924 | Wall Street Bluesas The Janitor | |
| 1924 | The Hollywood Kidas Studio Organist | |
| 1924 | The White Sinas Travers Dale | |
| 1924 | One Spooky Nightas A.J. Bird Jr. | |
| 1923 | Inbad the Sailoras Jake aka Inbad the Sailor | |
| 1923 | One Cylinder Loveas The Bachelor's Butler / Chauffeur / Footman | |
| 1923 | The Extra Girlas Comedian | |
| 1923 | Pitfalls of a Big Cityas Barfly (uncredited) | |
| 1923 | Nip and Tuckas Sailor | |
| 1922 | When Summer Comesas Lyons - the Tenderfoot | |
| 1922 | The Crossroads of New Yorkas Press Agent | |
| 1922 | Gymnasium Jimas Jim | |
| 1922 | On Patrolas The Amateur Cop | |
| 1922 | The Duck Hunteras The Sportsman | |
| 1921 | Around the Town: British Film Stars and Studiosas Himself | |
| 1921 | Bright Eyesas The Nosey Butler | |
| 1921 | Be Reasonableas A Rolling Stone | |
| 1921 | Love and Doughnutsas The Burglar | |
| 1921 | Astray from the Steerageas A steerage passenger | |
| 1921 | A Small Town Idolas Director | |
| 1920 | Love, Honor and Behaveas A Fake Lawyer | |
| 1920 | The Quack Doctoras The Hired Lady's Sweetheart | |
| 1920 | Married Lifeas Hospital Staff / Janitor (uncredited) | |
| 1920 | Distilled Loveas | |
| 1918 | Cupid In Quarantineas The Father | |
| 1918 | Her Rustic Romeoas | |
| 1918 | Are Married Policemen Safe?as | |
| 1918 | Somebody's Widowas Secretary | |
| 1917 | Bombs and Banditsas The Chief of Police | |
| 1916 | Pirates of the Airas The Bartender | |
| 1916 | Gertie's Gasoline Glideas The Minister |
| 1920 | The Quack Doctor...Director |