Robert Charles Benchley (September 15, 1889 – November 21, 1945) was an American humorist best known for his work as a newspaper columnist and film actor. From his beginnings at the Harvard Lampoon while attending Harvard University, through his many years writing essays and articles for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, and his acclaimed short films, Benchley's style of humor brought him respect and success during his life, from New York City and his peers at the Algonquin Round Table to contemporaries in the burgeoning film industry.Benchley is best remembered for his contributions to The New Yorker, where his essays, whether topical or absurdist, influenced many modern humorists. He also made a name for himself in Hollywood, when his short film How to Sleep was a popular success and won Best Short Subject at the 1935 Academy Awards, and through his many memorable appearances in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Foreign Correspondent and (in a dramatic turn) Nice Girl? His legacy includes written work and numerous short film appearances.
There is something about saying 'Okay' and hanging up the receiver with a bang that kids a man into feeling that he has just pulled off a big deal, even if he has only called up central to find out the correct time.
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[after seeing Paramount on Parade (1930)] It ran less than two hours but I came out of the theater several years older.
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If you'll excuse me, I'd like to get out of these wet things and into a dry martini.
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The only real cure for a hangover is death.
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Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with, that it's compounding a felony.
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It took me 15 years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous.
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There is no such place as Budapest. Perhaps you are thinking of Bucharest . . . and there is no such place as Bucharest, either.
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In Milwaukee last month a man died laughing over one of his own jokes. That's what makes it so tough for us outsiders: we have to fight home competition.
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In America there are two classes of travel - First Class, and with children. Traveling with children corresponds roughly to traveling third class in Bulgaria.
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Every boy should have a dog, for a dog teaches a boy three valuable traits: fidelity, perseverance and to turn around three times before lying down.
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Tell us your phobias, and we'll tell you what you are afraid of.
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Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.
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Fact
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Proposed the following epitaph for his tombstone although it was not ultimately used: "This is all above my head.".
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The town of Benchley, Texas, is named after his grandfather, who founded it.
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Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. pg. 40-41. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387
$13 Million
