Born in New York City. The son of Max Bendix, conductor and violinist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, he appeared in a Vitagraph film as a five-year-old child. Later played minor league baseball, managed a grocery store in Newark, New Jersey, and was with the New Jersey Federal Theater before joining the New York Theater Guild. Made his Broadway debut as an Irish cop in William Saroyan's The Time of Your Life in 1939. He began a prolific Hollywood career in 1942 but was best known to many for his weekly "Life of Riley" show, first on radio, then on TV. Large-skulled and heavy jawed, he typically played either dumb and brutish or kindly but simple characters. His memorable films include his starring role in THE HAIRY APE (1944) and THE BABE RUTH STORY (1948) and appearances in LIFEBOAT (1944) and A BELL FOR ADANO (1945), as well as his several appearances in Alan Ladd action vehicles.    Nominated for Supporting Actor 1942: WAKE ISLAND 1 nomination