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Character Actor Paul Benedict Has Died

Loved him on the Jeffersons by Flyingcircus	Dec 4th, 2008 09:01:24 PM
Rest in peace
Wow. Sorry to hear that. by SkidMarkedUndies	Dec 4th, 2008 09:04:07 PM
RIP, sir. RIP.
HILARIOUS in the Guest films by haggardatbest	Dec 4th, 2008 09:06:48 PM
Particularly "A Mighty Wind". Someone who just seemed like he would always be around to pop up in films and make them funnier. What a loss.
One of the funniest lines in Spinal Tap by OrlandoJoe	Dec 4th, 2008 09:09:33 PM
As the insulted hotel desk clerk: "I'm the way God made me, sir." It's a throw-away line, but it cracks me up every time.
Damn You 2008! by BroVinny	Dec 4th, 2008 09:11:02 PM
Man, this has been a horrid year for celebrity deaths. Many more, and awards shows will have to air their tribute portions seperately.
Friend of a friend.... by HercsShowerRadio	Dec 4th, 2008 09:11:46 PM
He was apparently a very nice man in person.
"Damn you, Addams!" by Darkman	Dec 4th, 2008 09:13:03 PM
"Sorry about the window, Judge. Keep the ball. I have a whole bucketfull." He will be missed.
Sad, he was a cool character actor by Aloy	Dec 4th, 2008 09:15:27 PM
At first I thought you meant the chubby white dude married to the black woman.
That Spinal Tap bit broke my heart by prunkhaft	Dec 4th, 2008 09:20:24 PM
The first time I heard it in the theater, but in the years since I've managed to find the humor there. Still, being an ugly man I felt badly for that character.
He was great as "Fairchild" by nyj_et	Dec 4th, 2008 09:22:43 PM
In "Arthur 2: On the Rocks". He replaced Hopson, after his death in the first movie. He was also the one bright spot in what was otherwise a dismal sequel.
I met him just this summer by arjuna	Dec 4th, 2008 09:24:03 PM
Mr. Benedict appeared in an indy film that premiered this summer at the Rhode Island International Film Festival, titled "Side by Each". It featured Blythe Danner, playing three different roles. He played an Indian chief running for Governor. I did some visual effects for the film - placing campaign graphics on a billboard, etc. - and had the chance to speak with him briefly at a reception opening night. He was very friendly, with a great smile, sparkle-eyed and having a good time. When I told him I'd enjoyed his work in many classic sitcoms, he feigned offense (master-thespian style) and he thought I would have instead appreciated his career in the movies. As I spluttered, trying to apologize, he clasped my shoulder, saying "no, no - thank you, I appreciate it." It was a brief meeting, but he was warm and spirited in what may have been his last film appearance. I'm glad I had the chance to meet him.
You Forgot "The Goodbye Girl" by Rebeck2	Dec 4th, 2008 09:25:41 PM
He's the director trying to get Richard Dreyfuss to Richard III as flamboyantly gay. Funny guy, but always managed to make it real.
I'm only as God made me, Sir.... by GrandMuffTarkin	Dec 4th, 2008 09:27:41 PM
And now back you go....RIP.
RIP by veritasses	Dec 4th, 2008 09:32:44 PM
.
he was also on Sesame Street... by WIBoomer1	Dec 4th, 2008 09:38:44 PM
...he was the silent painter dude...
want to see the Mad Painter? by WIBoomer1	Dec 4th, 2008 09:40:48 PM
http://tinyurl.com/5tyjan whole page of his "paintings"
he was on Sesame Street a lot in the 70s by Groothewarrior	Dec 4th, 2008 09:41:30 PM
he had a Benny Hillish skit where he couldnt stop painting letters or numbers everywhere, then people would chase him around really fast.
so is he "movin' on up"? by critter42c	Dec 4th, 2008 10:05:33 PM
Like for reals?
Farewell to the Mad Painter! by Xeniten	Dec 4th, 2008 10:07:03 PM
May God bless those that remember Paul's role as the "Mad Painter" on Sesame Street. I suspect Moriarty didn't mention the role because he's a tad too young to remember it. By all means search Youtube for the "Mad Painter" and "sesame street". Godspeed Paul! You will be greatly missed!
Damn You, Death! by YotzVonFrelnik	Dec 4th, 2008 10:20:14 PM
Ah well. 70 is a good run for a lifespan I guess.
Sorry to hear the news by Wonderthump	Dec 4th, 2008 10:38:23 PM
He seemed like a genuinely nice man. Why is it he's gone but Ben Stiller and Reece Witherspoon are still making movies?
Tales from the Crypt by slowgraffiti	Dec 4th, 2008 10:39:37 PM
I think this guy was in the THEE greatest Tales from the Crypt ever where John Lovitz kills Bruce Boxlitner to get his part in a play. Good shit.
Another actor we thought was already dead dies... by DarthSiskel	Dec 4th, 2008 10:39:50 PM
...while Mickey Rooney still lives!!!
Not trying to be a douche or anything... by b15fliptop	Dec 4th, 2008 10:41:56 PM
But the Spinal Tap line is "I'm just as God made me, sir."
Damn... by ColloquiallyBorn	Dec 4th, 2008 10:47:51 PM
We all remeber the face, he was actually a good character actor. Too bad, hope it was without pain. Farewell good sir!
I say Mr. J, who can forget the walk on back scene lol by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:27:20 PM
Classic. I heard he wasn't even a real britt. So long Bently. Mr J shut his door on your face for good. You'll be missed.
He was the painter on Sesame Street too by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:29:55 PM
He used to paint numbers on that bald puerto rican's head. Who actually boxed against me jefferson in a funny episode of the jeffersons.
Mickey Rooney is a Highlander. He's immortal. by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:30:58 PM
Beware of the Quickening Rooney!
He was in Spinal Tap too by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:33:49 PM

Don't Forget Guffman! by Marlowespade	Dec 4th, 2008 11:35:04 PM
Little screen time, but brilliant nonetheless.
Report I found on his death... by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:37:43 PM
"Paul Benedict, Jeffersons Neighbor & Sesame Street Painter, Found Dead" "George Jefferson didn't welcome Mr. Harry Bentley into his home with open arms, but the good-natured Brit was always on hand anyway, usually for a good laugh. Paul Benedict, the American actor who was often mistaken for British thanks to his role as George and Louise's neighbor on The Jeffersons, was found dead Monday at his home on Martha's Vineyard. He was 70. The cause of death is under investigation, according to Benedict's brother, Charles. The New Mexico native, while best known for his nearly 10-year run as Bentley, was also an Obie Award-winning theater director, as well as a prolific character actor. Gen-Xers may recognize him as the bowler-capped Number Painter from Sesame Street, who started popping up in random places to decorate his surroundings with a big white numeral in 1972. Notable film appearances include the 1977 Oscar winner The Goodbye Girl, The Freshman, This Is Spinal Tap and The Addams Family. He was also memorably mistaken for Broadway critic Mort Guffman in Christopher Guest's cult-classic comedy Waiting for Guffman."
"He was memorably mistaken for Broadway critic Mort Guffman" by Orionsangels	Dec 4th, 2008 11:39:26 PM

Orionsangels... by Marlowespade	Dec 5th, 2008 12:15:16 AM
...quite right, thanks.
He was also in Mandingo... by eustisclay	Dec 5th, 2008 12:24:01 AM
...which was bizarre as I grew up on sesame street and Mandingo was the first film I saw him in after that. And if you've ever seen Mandingo, you know how strange that was. This gentle maniac from my childhood was suddenly a slave trader. Freaked me out anyway
I just re-watched Man w/ Two Brains awhile ago... by The Dum Guy	Dec 5th, 2008 12:45:54 AM
I remember him. "The walls are like paper", the last time I saw that movie was over a dozen years ago, but I remember laughing so much at it then and now (the fact that it is paper walls helps).
"I like the kitty." by Exasperilious	Dec 5th, 2008 12:56:36 AM
It's slice of life. No it isn't. A pun? No. Vulschtein? That's not a word.
Wow by Darth Thoth	Dec 5th, 2008 01:04:07 AM
RIP. He was a funny guy. Bless his soul.
Show pics!!! by MR. MURDOCH	Dec 5th, 2008 01:15:15 AM
Now, I know who this guy is (or is it, was...) -- but I love it when you guys do Obits and provide plenty of narrative tribute, but no pictures, for those that may not know who some of these people are...so we have to go Google them ourselves, and come back here looking like asses...thanks, AICN. I recommend one standard press photo for each Obit.
R.I.P. by Mr Slippy Fist	Dec 5th, 2008 01:18:16 AM
Fantastic in the Jeffersons. He will be missed.
The Painter by ChezKing	Dec 5th, 2008 01:20:43 AM
God, it's so sad to read this. I remember him playing a funny, goofy painter, but I can't remember if it was Electric Company or Sesame Street. He was hilarious, and great on the Jeffersons. Seemed like a good kind person. R.I.P.
The man that painted a "2" by Playkins	Dec 5th, 2008 01:21:28 AM
Awww, that guy was cool.... Loved his small but pivotal part in "Waiting Fur Guffman"... and his classic Sesame Street appearance.
THE FRESHMAN is available on Netflix Instant by Duke of Hurl	Dec 5th, 2008 03:11:53 AM
"'Senator, my offer is this: Nothing.' In that one moment, Michael Corleone says that all corruption is equal - that there is no separation between politics and gangsterism."
...and in The Front Page with Lemmon and Matthau by tangcameo	Dec 5th, 2008 03:29:06 AM

In heaven, he's gonna paint an 8 by MoshMasterD	Dec 5th, 2008 03:31:48 AM

Peace to PB by Dingbatty	Dec 5th, 2008 05:10:17 AM
and condolences to his family and friends.
he was in A Mighty Wind for like, 10 seconds by HOUSTON500	Dec 5th, 2008 07:04:28 AM
and still had a great line. That kiss was not only a great moment in the history of folk music, it was also a great moment in the history of... humans.
Thank you for giving this man an Obit by Shut the Fuck up Donny	Dec 5th, 2008 07:11:52 AM
I was worried he might have been passed over because he was seen more as a character actor. But, fortunately, many people here did appreciate what he did with the roles he had. I am thankful AICN is giving us a few minutes to celebrate him. And I still absolutely adore him in "The Man With Two Brains:" "You and your wife are expected for dinner." "My wife won't be coming." "Oh, I trust she is not ill?" "She's not ill. She's a cheap, vulgar slut." "Ja, I have heard this."
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooo by Bill Brasky	Dec 5th, 2008 07:47:43 AM

Too soon!!!!!! by Bill Brasky	Dec 5th, 2008 07:47:56 AM

I'm Sure It's Already Been Typed... by Aquatarkusman	Dec 5th, 2008 08:16:22 AM
... but "I'm just as God made me, sir" from Spinal Tap cracks me up every single time.
I'm going to start painting numbers in random places... by rev_skarekroe	Dec 5th, 2008 08:38:52 AM
...in this guy's honor.
Killer Death Reel by Kentucky Colonel	Dec 5th, 2008 08:42:23 AM
at the Emmys this year. He seemed such a class act. See ya later, Mr. Bently!
my condolences by LegoKenobi	Dec 5th, 2008 08:48:46 AM
i hope he knew how many people loved him.
Ah, the summer of my youth. by Vic Twenty	Dec 5th, 2008 08:56:50 AM
Bently on the Jeffersons, followed by Alice, the Price is Right, and the Love Boat. Then it was outside to play all day. RIP Paul Benedict, and thanks for contributing to those happy times in your own small way.
I was watching Jeremiah Johnson the other night by Ingeld	Dec 5th, 2008 09:31:21 AM
and the turned up in that. Small three line role, but he was there. His passing, like the passing of many memorable things from my childhood, saddens me. My condolences to his family and friends.
ricarleite save that sorry tripe. by DoctorWho?	Dec 5th, 2008 09:45:21 AM
Everytime someone dies people on this site start wailing like their limbs have been ripped off. I grew up with those 70 shows and movies too and I will remember how many times he made me smile. But save your " good people die, only the bad remain" nihilistic horse shit you oversensitive turd.
"You're doomed!" by sith_rising	Dec 5th, 2008 09:45:59 AM
what, nobody remembers Hysterical, the greatest fucking comedy of the 1980's?! Come on!
Hysterical - You don't mean that he was THAT guy though do you? by YotzVonFrelnik	Dec 5th, 2008 11:38:04 AM
That guy was someone else, and I don't know his name offhand. But he also played the weird and fun character of Exidore (sp?) on Mork and Mindy.
Hysterical ... Pt2 by YotzVonFrelnik	Dec 5th, 2008 11:39:35 AM
And yeah, that was a fun little gem I always thought. "You're STILL doomed." Awesome. The last great gasp of the Hudson Brothers.
Always enjoyed his performance by matineer	Dec 5th, 2008 11:48:33 AM
Sorry to see him go. Really. But why dis the rest of the cast? They were just as funny as he. Great show.
I know him best as the judge from Addams Family. by freydis	Dec 5th, 2008 12:25:03 PM
I don't really know any of his other stuff... but when I immediately recognize his picture from a bit part in a movie I saw a long time ago, he was probably doing something pretty good.
he's movin' on up by oisin5199	Dec 5th, 2008 12:32:42 PM
to a dee-luxe apartment in the sky. Had to say it. Bentley, you will be missed, sir.
I saw him traipsing around Cambridge... by Lenny Nero	Dec 5th, 2008 02:12:30 PM
last March and did a doubletake. Me to my friend: Is that the foo' from The Jeffersons and Addams Family? Friend: [shrug]
Cocktail by BALTIMOREJACK	Dec 5th, 2008 04:20:10 PM
he played the asshole City College professor that Tom Cruise embarrassed in front of the class. he took Cruise's research paper, flung it in the air, and yelled "F!!".
Brilliant in a few things I've seen by earlfist	Dec 6th, 2008 07:24:44 AM
His performance in"the Goodbye Girl" is a tour de force " and I loved his butler in "the man with two brains" he was a bit like Kenneth Mars, underused but kills in all he's in.
Sherman Hemsley laughs at them all! by Stalkeye	Dec 6th, 2008 09:15:46 AM
He's the only cast memeber that outlived most of the Jefferson's cast. Even "Weezie" kicked the bucket. "damn, Damn, Damn"! (oops wrong comedy series.) RIP Benedict.
Yeah, I saw him in Mandingo too.. by Stalkeye	Dec 6th, 2008 09:22:14 AM
In which his role as a Slave Owner/Trader was far the opposite of his gentle charavter Bentley.There's one scen in which he inspects potentual slaves' assholes in search for hemmoroids."Shut down your pants" Oh and there's another disturbing scene in which he says to a fellow trader; "Sleeping with one of them mexican dogs will get the rumortism right out of ya" then the family doctor chimes in: "A N*gger is just as good.." that movie is more fucked up than Roots.
Not "Damn you Addams!" Guy!!! by Drath	Dec 6th, 2008 11:45:36 AM
Any chance Raul Julia is hitting golf balls into his cereal in Heaven? Also he was a great evil professor in The Freshman. "Oh this is out of Dickens!"
Mr. Bentley wasn't British? by RicardoMontalban	Dec 6th, 2008 06:59:48 PM
I loved Mr. Bentley on the Jeffersons. I wish he had a bigger role on that show. Now everyone on that cast is dead except for George and Florence -- life can be ironic (i.e. their characters hated each other).
ABE VIGODA LAUGHS AT YOU ALL!! by thelordofhell	Dec 6th, 2008 07:02:30 PM
Abe Vigoda will outlive everyone!! All hail the great Abe Vigoda!!
Sesame Street by Ender's Jeesh	Dec 6th, 2008 07:33:01 PM
Whoever mentioned the random painting of numbers in the street totally nailed it. I'm 38 and this guy has been part of the fabric of my entertainment universe since I began watching television in 1972 or so. Very sad but a great, reliable actor.

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Character Actor Paul Benedict Has Died

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