Paul Benedict, actor in `The Jeffersons,' dies at 70
12-04-08, 05:00 PM
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Paul Benedict, actor in `The Jeffersons,' dies at 70
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081204/.../obit_benedict
He was one of the highlights of this great American sitcom!
Chris
43 mins ago
BOSTON – Paul Benedict, the actor who played the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 70.
Benedict was found dead Monday on Martha's Vineyard and his brother, Charles, said authorities were still investigating the cause of death.
Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.
Benedict went on to appear in a number of movies, including a role as the oddball director in "The Goodbye Girl" with Richard Dreyfuss. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley in "The Jeffersons," which ran on CBS from 1975 to '85.
BOSTON – Paul Benedict, the actor who played the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 70.
Benedict was found dead Monday on Martha's Vineyard and his brother, Charles, said authorities were still investigating the cause of death.
Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.
Benedict went on to appear in a number of movies, including a role as the oddball director in "The Goodbye Girl" with Richard Dreyfuss. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley in "The Jeffersons," which ran on CBS from 1975 to '85.
Chris
12-04-08, 09:43 PM
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Weird, I was just thinking about him last night. While flipping through channels I saw an actor who looked like a younger version of him so I started wondering whatever happened to old Bentley. Well, now I know.
12-04-08, 10:43 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Ok I just checked IMDb and it's not him but the teacher in Wonka looked a lot like him.
Last edited by My Other Self; 12-04-08 at 10:47 PM.
I forgot that he played that part. Great line.
Paul Benedict
12-04-08, 11:17 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Sad news. I just finished watching the 2nd season of The Jeffersons and loved Benedict's character.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
12-05-08, 12:33 AM
#15
Sad news. I just finished watching the 2nd season of The Jeffersons and loved Benedict's character.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
It appears there's not many of the main cast left now. There's George Marla Gibbs, the Doorman, and Jenny. Can't think of any others.
12-05-08, 04:29 AM
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Awe man! I grew up with this guy on The Jeffersons.
I also remember him in "Mandingo".
Wait....he wasn't British?
I also remember him in "Mandingo".
Wait....he wasn't British?
12-05-08, 11:13 AM
#22
DVD Talk Legend
12-06-08, 12:58 PM
#23
DVD Talk Special Edition
Sad news. I just finished watching the 2nd season of The Jeffersons and loved Benedict's character.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
While watching the show recently, I was looking up cast members. Benedict's passing puts him with many other of the show's regulars who have passed away:
Isabel Sanford (Mrs. Jefferson died 2004) - 86 years old. She was actually 20+ years older than Sherman Hemsley (Mr. Jefferson)
Roxie Roker (Mrs. Willis died 1995) - Passed away at 66 years old
Franklin Cover (Mr. Willis died 2006) - Passed away at 77 years old
Mike Evans (one of 2 guys who played Lionel died 2006) - Passed away at 57 years old. He was only 11 years younger than Helmsley who played his father.
Zara Cully (Mother Jefferson died 1978) - She didn't start acting until in her 70's and was 83 when the show began.
