Benny Baker

Benny Baker, born Benjamin Michael Zifkin on May 5, 1907, in St. Joseph, Missouri, was an American actor and comedian who built a career spanning stage, film, and television across more than six decades. He died on September 20, 1994, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Baker's Broadway career extended from 1931 to 1975, during which he appeared in several musical productions. His stage credits included No, No, Nanette, Du Barry Was a Lady, Let's Face It!, and Jackpot, among others.

Alongside his theater work, Baker accumulated an extensive filmography, appearing in more than 50 films between 1934 and 1988. His screen career began in the mid-1930s with roles in pictures such as The Hell Cat, Belle of the Nineties, and College Scandal. He continued working steadily through that decade in productions including Hotel Haywire, Champagne Waltz, and Blonde Trouble. His film appearances in the 1940s included Up in Arms, Stage Door Canteen, and My Girl Tisa, as well as multiple entries in the Joe Palooka series. Later film credits included Paint Your Wagon in 1969, The Sting II in 1983, and 18 Again! in 1988. Baker also appeared in a number of short films during the 1930s and returned to the format as late as 1991 with Birch Street Gym.