W. C. Fields
Overview
William Claude Dukenfield (January 29, 1880 – December 25, 1946), better known as W. C. Fields, was an American comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...

, actor, juggler and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....

. Fields was known for his comic persona
Persona
A persona, in the word's everyday usage, is a social role or a character played by an actor. The word is derived from Latin, where it originally referred to a theatrical mask. The Latin word probably derived from the Etruscan word "phersu", with the same meaning, and that from the Greek πρόσωπον...

 as a misanthropic
Misanthropy
Misanthropy is generalized dislike, distrust, disgust, contempt or hatred of the human species or human nature. A misanthrope, or misanthropist is someone who holds such views or feelings...

 and hard-drinking egotist who remained a sympathetic character despite his snarling contempt for dogs, children and women.

The characterization he portrayed in films and on radio was so strong it became generally identified with Fields himself.
Quotations

Goddamn the whole friggin' world but you, Carlotta!

Fields' last words.

Never give a sucker an even break.

Collier's (November 28,1925) Fields' is said to have used this line as early as 1923 in the musical comedy play 'Poppy'. It became the title of one of his films in 1941 (and Field's character also spoke this line in the sound film version of Poppy (1938) and in You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1940)).

Whilst traveling through the Andes Mountains, we lost our corkscrew. Had to live on food and water for several days.

My Little Chickadee (1940)

I was in love with a beautiful blonde once, dear. She drove me to drink. That's the one thing I'm indebted to her for.

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)

I didn't squawk about the steak, dear. I merely said I didn't see that old horse that used to be tethered outside here.

To a waitress, in Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)

I never voted for anybody. I always voted against.

As recounted by Robert Lewis Taylor in W.C. Fields: His Follies and Fortunes

Back in my rummy days, I would tremble and shake for hours upon arising. It was the only exercise I got.

The Temperance Lecture

Some weasel took the cork out of my lunch...

You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1940)

If a thing is worth having, it's worth cheating for.

My Little Chickadee (1940)

 
x
OK