Jack Oakie

Jack Oakie was a famous American actor who was known for his stage work, radio work, and television work. His real name is Lewis Delaney Offield. He adopted the name Jack Oakie from one of his stage show characters. He is best known for portraying the role of Naploni in the movie The Great Dictator. He was also nominated for the Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards.

Oakie was born on 12 November 1903 in Sedalia, Missouri, US. His mother was a psychology teacher, and his father was a grain dealer. His family moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma when he was five years old. He attended the Woodland Elementary School and also worked as a paperboy to make some extra money. After completing his education, Oakie worked on the Wall Street, New York Click to look into! >> Read More... as a runner. He barely escaped the Wall Street Bombing in the year 1920. He used to perform in the theater as a part time job. He appeared in a small theater as a comedian or a mimic artist. He made his debut in the Broadway show in the year 1923. He first appeared in the play named Little Nellie Kelly. The show was produced by George M. Cohan.

After that, Oakie worked in some Broadway shows as a comedian and mimic artist. After that, he moved to Hollywood. In 1927, he appeared in his first silent movie. From 1927 to 19228, he appeared in five silent movies. After the inception of the talkies, Oakie appeared in his first audible movie in the year 1929 with the movie The Dummy. The movie was produced by Paramount Studios. He started working as a freelance actor when his contract with the Paramount Studios expired. He appeared in more than 80 films from the 1930s to 1940s. One of his most successful movies was Too Much Harmony, released in the year 1933. The role of his mother in the movie was portrayed by his real mother.

He refused to wear make-up for his movies and was also referred to as The World’s Oldest Freshman. Charlie achieved success after his portrayal of the character Benzino Napaloni in the movie The Great Dictator. He even received a nomination for the Best Supporting Actor in the Oscars. Oakie was not just limited to movies. Oakie also had his radio show in the year 1936. In the year 1963, he appeared in a television show named The Real McCoys, Breaking Point, and Daniel Boone. In 1937, he played the role of Ham Hamilton in the movie Fight for Your Lady.

After getting nominated for an Academy Award, he was cast for tons of movies. After 1940, he appeared in major roles in many successful movies, namely Something to Shout About, The Merry Monahans, When My Baby Smiles at Me, On Stage Everybody, Around the World in 80 Days, She Wrote the Book, The Wonderful Country, and much more. Oakie got married in the year 1936 to Venita Varden, but the couple got divorced in the year 1938. In 1950, he married Victoria Home, with whom he spent his entire life. Oakie died from an aortic aneurysm on 23rd January 1978 at the age of 74 in Los Angeles, California.