American character actor, renowned for his remarkable ability to effortlessly transition between playing ordinary, relatable characters and those with more unsavory traits. Born into a family of vaudeville performers, Faylen's parents, Ruf and Cusik, introduced him to the world of entertainment at a tender age, and he spent his formative years immersed in the theatre.
Faylen's educational pursuits took him to St. Joseph's Preparatory College in Kirkwood, Missouri, but his true calling remained in the world of entertainment. He soon returned to vaudeville, honing his skills as a comic pantomimist and eventually becoming a skilled clown, song-and-dance man, and acrobat.
Throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, Faylen toured the country, captivating audiences with his unique blend of physical comedy and charm. His travels eventually took him to Los Angeles, where he was discovered and began a storied thirty-year career as one of Hollywood's most beloved character actors.
Faylen's most iconic film roles include the memorable portrayals of the sinister male nurse Bim in The Lost Weekend (1945) and the affable cabdriver Ernie in It's a Wonderful Life (1946). However, it was his work in television that truly cemented his status as a beloved figure, particularly his iconic role as Herbert T. Gillis, the lovable but exasperated father of Dobie Gillis, in the popular sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959).
In his personal life, Faylen was married to the talented actress Carol Hughes, with whom he shared two daughters. After a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Faylen retired from acting following the release of Funny Girl (1968) and passed away in 1985.
