BOSTON (AP) -- Paul Benedict, the actor who played the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 70.

Benedict was found dead Monday on Martha's Vineyard and his brother, Charles, said authorities were still investigating the cause of death.

Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.

Benedict went on to appear in a number of movies, including a role as the oddball director in "The Goodbye Girl" with Richard Dreyfuss. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley in "The Jeffersons," which ran on CBS from 1975 to '85.


I thought he was so great in that role.  He will be missed even though we haven't seen him in a while.

Oh no.  He was great when he interacted with George.  RIP Mr. Benedict. :\'(

He was also Charlie Bucket's teacher in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory  :\'(

Bentley.  Noooo it can't be.  I will miss him terribly :\'(

Did you know The Jeffersons was still in the Top 10 ratings when it was cancelled in 1985?  It could have ran for a few years more

That only leaves Sherman Hemsley as the only survivor of "The Jeffersons", as Isabel Sanford and the Willises are no longer with us. (I think both Lionels are gone, but not to sure of the actress that played his wife.)

:\'( :\'(

R.I.P., Paul Benedict  :\'(  :\'(  :\'(

Awwww, so sad. I always liked him. Even though I have seen him in other things like a couple of Steve Martin movies (Man with 2 Brains & the Lonely Guy), he will always be known as "Mr. Bentley".


RIP


Cat

Gosh, that really breaks my heart. I really liked Mr. Bentley. I loved when he'd have Mr. Jefferson walk on his back to straighten it out.

I'll really miss him.  :\'(

That only leaves Sherman Hemsley as the only survivor of "The Jeffersons", as Isabel Sanford and the Willises are no longer with us. (I think both Lionels are gone, but not to sure of the actress that played his wife.)


I guess that kills any chance for a reunion show then.  :\'(

I'll always remember Paul Benedict as the "Mad Painter," one of my favorite characters from Sesame Street. Thanks to YouTube, I've been able to watch the old Painter clips again and I enjoy them every bit as much now as I did when I was 5 years old.

#3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQGtEd40OFU

#4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XVvA8_fe9o

#6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2dTJJ0PdTI

#7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeT0VKR2eno

#8 (my favorite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi-ODZ3ING0

#9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2FXPbW72Rs

#10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ooPf4LLbLk

#11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBOo1jYuFbo


RIP, Mr. Benedict, and thank you for putting a smile on my face.  ;)

I loved when he'd have Mr. Jefferson walk on his back to straighten it out.



I'd forgotten about that.  I used to like that too

That only leaves Sherman Hemsley as the only survivor of "The Jeffersons", as Isabel Sanford and the Willises are no longer with us. (I think both Lionels are gone, but not to sure of the actress that played his wife.)


I think Damon Evans is still alive (Mike Evans died in 06)

I think Marla Gibbs might be shocked to learn she is dead, along with the guy who played Ralph  ;)


Jenny was played by Berlinda Tolbert I think she's still alive she was in an ep of CSI (LV) last year.

Another great name of the pass,sadly as I get older the people from my past will be departing more frequently.  RIP Paul  :\'(

Oh no.  He was great when he interacted with George.  RIP Mr. Benedict. :\'(
I agree.