Walter Catlett Biography

Fast Facts

• After dying of a stroke, he was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Calif
• Just before launching his film career, he had signed a long-term contract to direct a series of comedy shorts for RKO
• Spent 30 years as a legitimate stage actor before starting his film career in earnest
• Though he appeared in several silent films, he didn't capture the attention of audiences until the talkies allowed him to display his full comic range
• Introduced the Gershwin standard "Lady be Good" in 1924
• Best known for such films as "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Mr․ Deeds Goes to Town" and "Bring Up Baby․"
• Often played fidgety, google-eyed comic roles in motion pictures
• Though he was not credited, he voiced Honest John in the classic Disney film "Pinocchio․"