Portrait of Willie Best

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
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Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of TV in Black: The First Fifty Years
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)'.
Thu, Jan 01 2004
Poster of Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
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)'.
Wed, Aug 06 1975
Poster of Harold Lloyd's World of Comedy
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)'.
Tue, Dec 04 1962
Poster of Ellis in Freedomland
Ellis in Freedomland
Willie Best was
39 in Ellis in Freedomland
as 'Male Model'.
Sun, Jun 15 1952
Poster of South of Caliente
South of Caliente
Willie Best was
38 in South of Caliente
as 'Willie, Stable Boy'.
Mon, Oct 15 1951
Poster of Shanghai Chest
Shanghai Chest
Willie Best was
35 in Shanghai Chest
as 'Willie Best'.
Sun, Jul 11 1948
Poster of Half Past Midnight
Half Past Midnight
Willie Best was
34 in Half Past Midnight
as 'Andy Jones'.
Mon, Mar 01 1948
Poster of The Red Stallion
The Red Stallion
Willie Best was
34 in The Red Stallion
as 'Jackson'.
Sat, Aug 16 1947
Poster of Suddenly It's Spring
Suddenly It's Spring
Willie Best was
33 in Suddenly It's Spring
as 'Porter on Train'.
Thu, Feb 13 1947
Poster of Dangerous Money
Dangerous Money
Willie Best was
33 in Dangerous Money
as 'Chattanooga Brown'.
Sat, Oct 12 1946
Poster of The Bride Wore Boots
The Bride Wore Boots
Willie Best was
33 in The Bride Wore Boots
as 'Joe'.
Wed, Jun 05 1946
Poster of The Face of Marble
The Face of Marble
Willie Best was
32 in The Face of Marble
as 'Shadrach'.
Sat, Jan 19 1946
Poster of She Wouldn't Say Yes
She Wouldn't Say Yes
Willie Best was
32 in She Wouldn't Say Yes
as 'Porter (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 29 1945
Poster of Hold That Blonde!
Hold That Blonde!
Willie Best was
32 in Hold That Blonde!
as 'Willie Shelley'.
Fri, Nov 23 1945
Poster of The Red Dragon
The Red Dragon
Willie Best was
32 in The Red Dragon
as 'Chattanooga Brown'.
Wed, Aug 01 1945
Poster of Pillow to Post
Pillow to Post
Willie Best was
32 in Pillow to Post
as 'Lucille, Colonial Auto Court Porter'.
Sat, Jun 09 1945
Poster of The Monster and the Ape
The Monster and the Ape
Willie Best was
31 in The Monster and the Ape
as 'Flash'.
Fri, Apr 20 1945
Poster of Music for Millions
Music for Millions
Willie Best was
31 in Music for Millions
as 'Red Cap (uncredited)'.
Mon, Dec 18 1944
Poster of The Mark of the Whistler
The Mark of the Whistler
Willie Best was
31 in The Mark of the Whistler
as 'Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)'.
Mon, Oct 09 1944
Poster of The Girl Who Dared
The Girl Who Dared
Willie Best was
31 in The Girl Who Dared
as 'Woodrow'.
Sat, Aug 05 1944
Poster of The Adventures of Mark Twain
The Adventures of Mark Twain
Willie Best was
31 in The Adventures of Mark Twain
as 'Butler'.
Thu, Jul 20 1944
Poster of Home in Indiana
Home in Indiana
Willie Best was
31 in Home in Indiana
as 'Mo' Rum (uncredited)'.
Thu, Jun 15 1944
Poster of Thank Your Lucky Stars
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Willie Best was
30 in Thank Your Lucky Stars
as 'Soldier in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)'.
Sat, Sep 25 1943
Poster of The Kansan
The Kansan
Willie Best was
30 in The Kansan
as 'Bones'.
Fri, Sep 10 1943
Poster of Dixie
Dixie
Willie Best was
30 in Dixie
as 'Steward (uncredited)'.
Wed, Jun 23 1943
Poster of Cabin in the Sky
Cabin in the Sky
Willie Best was
29 in Cabin in the Sky
as 'Second Idea Man'.
Wed, Mar 24 1943
Poster of Cinderella Swings It
Cinderella Swings It
Willie Best was
29 in Cinderella Swings It
as 'Hipp'.
Fri, Jan 22 1943
Poster of The Powers Girl
The Powers Girl
Willie Best was
29 in The Powers Girl
as 'Men's Room Attendant (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jan 15 1943
Poster of The Hidden Hand
The Hidden Hand
Willie Best was
29 in The Hidden Hand
as 'Eustis, the chauffeur'.
Sat, Nov 07 1942
Poster of Scattergood Survives a Murder
Scattergood Survives a Murder
Willie Best was
29 in Scattergood Survives a Murder
as 'Hipp'.
Thu, Oct 01 1942
Poster of Busses Roar
Busses Roar
Willie Best was
29 in Busses Roar
as 'Sunshine'.
Sat, Sep 19 1942
Poster of A-Haunting We Will Go
A-Haunting We Will Go
Willie Best was
29 in A-Haunting We Will Go
as 'Waiter'.
Fri, Aug 07 1942
Poster of Maisie Gets Her Man
Maisie Gets Her Man
Willie Best was
29 in Maisie Gets Her Man
as 'Sam (Uncredited)'.
Mon, Jun 01 1942
Poster of Juke Girl
Juke Girl
Willie Best was
29 in Juke Girl
as 'Jo-Mo'.
Sat, May 30 1942
Poster of Whispering Ghosts
Whispering Ghosts
Willie Best was
28 in Whispering Ghosts
as 'Euclid White Brown'.
Sun, May 17 1942
Poster of The Body Disappears
The Body Disappears
Willie Best was
28 in The Body Disappears
as 'Willie'.
Sat, Nov 22 1941
Poster of Breakdowns of 1941
Breakdowns of 1941
Willie Best was
28 in Breakdowns of 1941
as 'Self (archive footage) (uncredited)'.
Fri, Nov 14 1941
Poster of Nothing But the Truth
Nothing But the Truth
Willie Best was
28 in Nothing But the Truth
as 'Samuel'.
Fri, Oct 10 1941
Poster of Minstrel Days
Minstrel Days
Willie Best was
28 in Minstrel Days
as 'Singer'.
Sat, Sep 06 1941
Poster of The Smiling Ghost
The Smiling Ghost
Willie Best was
28 in The Smiling Ghost
as 'Clarence'.
Sat, Sep 06 1941
Poster of Highway West
Highway West
Willie Best was
28 in Highway West
as 'Bub Wellington'.
Thu, Aug 07 1941
Poster of Kisses for Breakfast
Kisses for Breakfast
Willie Best was
28 in Kisses for Breakfast
as 'Arnold'.
Sat, Jul 05 1941
Poster of The Lady from Cheyenne
The Lady from Cheyenne
Willie Best was
27 in The Lady from Cheyenne
as 'George'.
Fri, Apr 11 1941
Poster of Scattergood Baines
Scattergood Baines
Willie Best was
27 in Scattergood Baines
as 'Hipp'.
Fri, Feb 21 1941
Poster of Road Show
Road Show
Willie Best was
27 in Road Show
as 'Willie'.
Tue, Feb 18 1941
Poster of Flight from Destiny
Flight from Destiny
Willie Best was
27 in Flight from Destiny
as 'George'.
Sat, Feb 08 1941
Poster of High Sierra
High Sierra
Willie Best was
27 in High Sierra
as 'Algernon'.
Thu, Jan 23 1941
Poster of Who Killed Aunt Maggie?
Who Killed Aunt Maggie?
Willie Best was
27 in Who Killed Aunt Maggie?
as 'Andrew'.
Fri, Nov 01 1940
Poster of Money and the Woman
Money and the Woman
Willie Best was
27 in Money and the Woman
as 'George Washington Jones'.
Sat, Aug 17 1940
Poster of The Ghost Breakers
The Ghost Breakers
Willie Best was
27 in The Ghost Breakers
as 'Alex'.
Fri, Jun 21 1940
Poster of Blondie on a Budget
Blondie on a Budget
Willie Best was
26 in Blondie on a Budget
as 'Newsboy (uncredited)'.
Thu, Feb 29 1940
Poster of I Take This Woman
I Take This Woman
Willie Best was
26 in I Take This Woman
as 'Sambo'.
Fri, Feb 02 1940
Poster of Slightly Honorable
Slightly Honorable
Willie Best was
26 in Slightly Honorable
as 'Art, Elevator Operator'.
Fri, Dec 22 1939
Poster of Private Detective
Private Detective
Willie Best was
26 in Private Detective
as 'Norton's Valet'.
Sat, Dec 09 1939
Poster of The Covered Trailer
The Covered Trailer
Willie Best was
26 in The Covered Trailer
as 'Baltimore'.
Fri, Nov 10 1939
Poster of Blondie Brings Up Baby
Blondie Brings Up Baby
Willie Best was
26 in Blondie Brings Up Baby
as 'Hotel Janitor (uncredited)'.
Wed, Nov 08 1939
Poster of At the Circus
At the Circus
Willie Best was
26 in At the Circus
as 'Redcap (uncredited)'.
Fri, Oct 20 1939
Poster of Blackmail
Blackmail
Willie Best was
26 in Blackmail
as 'Bunny - the Janitor (uncredited)'.
Fri, Sep 08 1939
Poster of Way Down South
Way Down South
Willie Best was
26 in Way Down South
as 'Chimney Sweep'.
Fri, Jul 21 1939
Poster of Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
Willie Best was
26 in Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
as 'Driver (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jul 07 1939
Poster of Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter
Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter
Willie Best was
26 in Nancy Drew... Trouble Shooter
as 'Apollo Johnson'.
Sat, Jun 17 1939
Poster of Mr. Moto in Danger Island
Mr. Moto in Danger Island
Willie Best was
25 in Mr. Moto in Danger Island
as 'Launch Pilot'.
Fri, Apr 07 1939
Poster of The Saint Strikes Back
The Saint Strikes Back
Willie Best was
25 in The Saint Strikes Back
as 'Algernon, Simon's Butler (Uncredited)'.
Wed, Mar 08 1939
Poster of Blondie
Blondie
Willie Best was
25 in Blondie
as 'Porter'.
Wed, Nov 30 1938
Poster of Spring Madness
Spring Madness
Willie Best was
25 in Spring Madness
as 'Porter on Train'.
Fri, Nov 11 1938
Poster of Straight, Place and Show
Straight, Place and Show
Willie Best was
25 in Straight, Place and Show
as 'Hannibal'.
Fri, Sep 30 1938
Poster of Youth Takes a Fling
Youth Takes a Fling
Willie Best was
25 in Youth Takes a Fling
as 'George'.
Thu, Sep 22 1938
Poster of I'm from the City
I'm from the City
Willie Best was
25 in I'm from the City
as 'Train Porter'.
Fri, Aug 05 1938
Poster of Vivacious Lady
Vivacious Lady
Willie Best was
24 in Vivacious Lady
as 'Porter'.
Fri, May 13 1938
Poster of Goodbye Broadway
Goodbye Broadway
Willie Best was
24 in Goodbye Broadway
as 'Jughead'.
Fri, Apr 01 1938
Poster of Merrily We Live
Merrily We Live
Willie Best was
24 in Merrily We Live
as 'George'.
Fri, Mar 04 1938
Poster of Gold Is Where You Find It
Gold Is Where You Find It
Willie Best was
24 in Gold Is Where You Find It
as 'Joshua'.
Sat, Feb 12 1938
Poster of Everybody's Doing It
Everybody's Doing It
Willie Best was
24 in Everybody's Doing It
as 'Jasper - Elevator Operator'.
Fri, Jan 14 1938
Poster of Crashing Hollywood
Crashing Hollywood
Willie Best was
24 in Crashing Hollywood
as 'Train Porter (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jan 07 1938
Poster of Saturday's Heroes
Saturday's Heroes
Willie Best was
24 in Saturday's Heroes
as 'Sam'.
Fri, Oct 08 1937
Poster of The Lady Fights Back
The Lady Fights Back
Willie Best was
24 in The Lady Fights Back
as 'McTavish'.
Fri, Oct 01 1937
Poster of Mississippi Moods
Mississippi Moods
Willie Best was
24 in Mississippi Moods
Mon, Jul 19 1937
Poster of Super-Sleuth
Super-Sleuth
Willie Best was
24 in Super-Sleuth
as 'Warts, Martin's manservant'.
Fri, Jul 16 1937
Poster of Meet the Missus
Meet the Missus
Willie Best was
24 in Meet the Missus
as 'Bootblack'.
Fri, Jun 04 1937
Poster of You Can't Buy Luck
You Can't Buy Luck
Willie Best was
23 in You Can't Buy Luck
as 'Airline Porter (uncredited)'.
Fri, Apr 30 1937
Poster of Breezing Home
Breezing Home
Willie Best was
23 in Breezing Home
as 'Speed'.
Mon, Feb 01 1937
Poster of Racing Lady
Racing Lady
Willie Best was
23 in Racing Lady
as 'Brass'.
Tue, Jan 12 1937
Poster of We Who Are About to Die
We Who Are About to Die
Willie Best was
23 in We Who Are About to Die
as 'Airport Porter (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jan 08 1937
Poster of Deep South
Deep South
Willie Best was
23 in Deep South
Fri, Jan 01 1937
Poster of Night Waitress
Night Waitress
Willie Best was
23 in Night Waitress
as 'Black Pedestrian'.
Fri, Dec 18 1936
Poster of General Spanky
General Spanky
Willie Best was
23 in General Spanky
as 'Henry'.
Fri, Dec 11 1936
Poster of Thank You, Jeeves!
Thank You, Jeeves!
Willie Best was
23 in Thank You, Jeeves!
as 'Drowsy'.
Sun, Oct 04 1936
Poster of Mummy's Boys
Mummy's Boys
Willie Best was
23 in Mummy's Boys
as 'Catfish'.
Fri, Oct 02 1936
Poster of Down the Stretch
Down the Stretch
Willie Best was
23 in Down the Stretch
as 'Noah'.
Fri, Sep 18 1936
Poster of The Green Pastures
The Green Pastures
Willie Best was
23 in The Green Pastures
as 'Henry - the Angel (uncredited)'.
Sat, Aug 01 1936
Poster of The Bride Walks Out
The Bride Walks Out
Willie Best was
23 in The Bride Walks Out
as 'Smokie'.
Fri, Jul 10 1936
Poster of Murder on a Bridle Path
Murder on a Bridle Path
Willie Best was
22 in Murder on a Bridle Path
as ''High-Pockets''.
Fri, Apr 17 1936
Poster of Two in Revolt
Two in Revolt
Willie Best was
22 in Two in Revolt
as 'Eph'.
Fri, Apr 03 1936
Poster of Silly Billies
Silly Billies
Willie Best was
22 in Silly Billies
as 'Excitement'.
Fri, Mar 20 1936
Poster of Muss 'em Up
Muss 'em Up
Willie Best was
22 in Muss 'em Up
as 'Janitor at Spivali's Bar (uncredited)'.
Thu, Feb 13 1936
Poster of The Littlest Rebel
The Littlest Rebel
Willie Best was
22 in The Littlest Rebel
as 'James Henry'.
Fri, Dec 27 1935
Poster of To Beat the Band
To Beat the Band
Willie Best was
22 in To Beat the Band
as 'Elevator Operator'.
Sat, Nov 23 1935
Poster of Hot Tip
Hot Tip
Willie Best was
22 in Hot Tip
as 'Apollo'.
Tue, Aug 20 1935
Poster of Jalna
Jalna
Willie Best was
22 in Jalna
as 'Sam'.
Fri, Aug 09 1935
Poster of The Arizonian
The Arizonian
Willie Best was
22 in The Arizonian
as 'Pompey'.
Thu, Jun 27 1935
Poster of The Nitwits
The Nitwits
Willie Best was
22 in The Nitwits
as 'Sleepy'.
Fri, Jun 07 1935
Poster of Hit and Rum
Hit and Rum
Willie Best was
21 in Hit and Rum
as 'Shoe Shine Man (uncredited)'.
Thu, Apr 25 1935
Poster of Raised and Called
Raised and Called
Willie Best was
21 in Raised and Called
Fri, Mar 22 1935
Poster of Murder on a Honeymoon
Murder on a Honeymoon
Willie Best was
21 in Murder on a Honeymoon
as 'Willie (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.
Fri, Feb 22 1935
Poster of Horse Heir
Horse Heir
Willie Best was
21 in Horse Heir
Fri, Feb 01 1935
Poster of West of the Pecos
West of the Pecos
Willie Best was
21 in West of the Pecos
as 'Jonah (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.
Thu, Dec 27 1934
Poster of Kentucky Kernels
Kentucky Kernels
Willie Best was
21 in Kentucky Kernels
as 'Buckshot (as Sleep 'n' Eat)'.
Fri, Nov 02 1934
Poster of Little Miss Marker
Little Miss Marker
Willie Best was
21 in Little Miss Marker
as 'Dizzy Memphis (uncredited)'.
Fri, Jun 01 1934
Poster of The Monster Walks
The Monster Walks
Willie Best was
18 in The Monster Walks
as 'Exodus'.
Sun, Feb 07 1932
Poster of The Guilty Generation
The Guilty Generation
Willie Best was
18 in The Guilty Generation
as 'Club Merlin Doorman (uncredited)'.
Thu, Nov 19 1931
Poster of Up Pops the Devil
Up Pops the Devil
Willie Best was
17 in Up Pops the Devil
as 'Laundryman'.
Tue, May 19 1931
Poster of Virtuous Husband
Virtuous Husband
Willie Best was
17 in Virtuous Husband
as 'Luftus'.
Sun, Apr 12 1931
Poster of Feet First
Feet First
Willie Best was
17 in Feet First
as 'Janitor'.
Thu, Oct 30 1930
Poster of Ladies of Leisure
Ladies of Leisure
Willie Best was
16 in Ladies of Leisure
as 'George (uncredited)'.
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
Poster of Waterfront
Waterfront
Willie Best was
41+ in Waterfront
as 'Billy Slocum'.
First Air Date
Sat, Aug 21 1954
Poster of My Little Margie
My Little Margie
Willie Best was
39+ in My Little Margie
First Air Date
Mon, Jun 16 1952
Poster of Racket Squad
Racket Squad
Willie Best was
38+ in Racket Squad
First Air Date
Thu, Jun 07 1951
Poster of The Stu Erwin Show
The Stu Erwin Show
Willie Best was
37+ in The Stu Erwin Show
as 'Willie'.
First Air Date
Sat, Oct 21 1950