Sad end and final words of WC Fields
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His final words were “God damn the whole friggin' world and everyone in it but you, Carlotta,”
reports say.
W.C. Fields was speaking to his friend and love interest, Carlotta Monti.
Here are things you may not know about W.C. Fields.
1. He died on Christmas day, 1946
Fields was born on January 29, 1880, and died at the age of 66.
He expired after suffering a massive gastric hemorrhage.
2. His real name was William Claude Dukenfield
W.C. Fields was born Darby, Pennsylvania southwest of Center City, Philadelphia.
His father, James Lydon Dukenfield, migrated from Sheffield, England in 1854.
Kate Spangler Felton, his mother, was also of British ancestry.
3. He was known as Claude Dukenfield as a child
As a child, W.C. Fields enjoyed a reasonably pleasant home life.
But...
4. Fields ran away from home frequently as a child
Due to his tumultuous relationship with his father,
the young Fields often ran away from home.
He was nine-year-old the first time he ran off.
5. W.C. Fields was no stranger to hard work
Fields sold produce from a wagon, worked at a department store, and in an oyster house.
6. He was a top-notch juggler
By the age of 17, Fields was performing as a juggler in theaters.
7. Once established, W.C. Fields bought his dad a house
In spite of a sometimes-strained relationship,
Fields purchased a summer house for his father.
8. He married a chorus girl in 1900
Harriet "Hattie" Hughes was part of Fields' early act.
She tutored in reading and writing.
9. W.C. Fields was estranged from his wife for years
The couple never divorced.
Fields continue to support his wife and son financially.
10. He loved children
Contrary to his stage persona, W.C. Fields loved his grandchildren.
He was also known to have owned a few dogs during his lifetime.
11. Fields stuttered
Because of his speech irregularity, Fields seldom spoke when juggling before an audience.
12. He made his Broadway debut in 'The Ham Tree'
Fields delivered his first spoken lines in this musical comedy.
The year was 1905.
13. W.C. Fields a clip-on mustache in all his silent films
He wore it because he knew the audience hated it.
Fields abandoned the mustache after his first sound movie, The Golf Specialist (1930(
14. He called people who copied his routines, "nibblers'
He threatened to "vigorously prosecute all offenders in the future"
in a large notice published in Variety.
It can be seen in the June 13, 1919 edition.
15. Fields love interest was Carlotta Monti
The two maintained a sporadic relationship until his death.
His final words were “God damn the whole friggin' world and everyone in it but you, Carlotta,”
reports say.
16. W.C. Fields was well paid
Fields did some radio work.
He commanded movie-star pay of $5,000 per week.
That would be over $90,000 when adjusted for inflation
(1936 vs 2020)
17. He was the star in at least 7 movies
'Never Give a Sucker an Even Break' (1941) was his final starring role.
18. Anthony Quinn's son died on Field's property
Two-year-old Christopher Quinn drowned in a pond.
The Quinns were Fields' neighbors.
Fields had the pond filled in.
19. W.C. Fields loved to entertain guests at his home
John Barrymore, Gene Fowler, and Gregory La Cava are mentioned as his close friends.
20. He was an avid reader
W.C. Fields was an outspoken atheist who studied theology.
He reportedly collected books on the topic.
His wife, remember, tutored him in reading during his early career.
21. His friend, Carlotta, hosed his roof moments before his death
W.C. Fields loved the sound of rainfall.
22. His remains were cremated months after his death
Although he died on January 2, 1947
his remains were cremated on June 2, 1949.
The delay was due to litigation.
His ashes are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale.