Bernard Punsly, also known as Bernard Punsley (July 11, 1923 – January 20, 2004) was an American actor and physician. He was the last surviving member of the Dead End Kids.
Biography
Early life and acting career Punsly was born on July 11, 1923, in New York City, the son of a tailor. He began his acting career at the age of eight in the play I Love An Actress. He was later cast as Milty in the Broadway play Dead End.
The success of the play led to Punsly and some of its child actors being cast in a 1937 film adaptation, Dead End. In the film, which portrayed the youths as victims of society.Punsly again played Milty. After that film he appeared in the Little Tough Guys series. His other films included Angels With Dirty Faces (1938), Little Tough Guy (1938) and Hell's Kitchen (1939). He played W.C. Fields' caddy in The Big Broadcast of 1938.
At his death, the Los Angeles Times recounted that Punsly "often played the innocent youth that got hooked up with the gang," and that off-camera he was considered the "good kid" among the actors.
The success of the led to the group appearing in a series of films that featured actors from the films. He went on to appear in 18 other films. During his career he worked with stars such as Ronald Reagan, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, John Garfield, and Humphrey Bogart.
In 1994, Punsly appeared with the other last survivor of the Dead End Kids, Huntz Hall, in which the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hall died in 1999.
After acting Punsly left acting after his last film, Mug Town (1942), when other actors in the series went on to become the Bowery Boys. Punsly joined the U.S. Army in 1943. While serving in the Army Air Forces he received medical training.
Upon discharge from the Army, Punsly entered the Medical College of Georgia at the University of Georgia, obtaining his medical degree in 1949. He moved to Los Angeles and served and internship and residency at Los Angeles County Medical Center. He became an internist at Little Company of Mary Hospital. He became chief of staff at South Bay Hospital in Redondo Beach in 1971. He retired in 2002.
Personal life Punsly married Marilyn "Lynne" Kufferman in 1950. He lived for many years in Palos Verdes Estates.
Punsly died of cancer on January 20, 2004, at age 80, in Torrance, California. He was survived by his wife, a son, two grandchildren and a sister.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1937 Dead End Milty 1938 The Big Broadcast of 1938 Caddy Uncredited1938 Crime School George "Fats" Papadopoulos 1938 Little Tough Guy Ape 1938 Angels with Dirty Faces Hunky 1939 They Made Me a Criminal Milt 1939 Hell's Kitchen Patrick Henry 'Ouch' Rosenbloom 1939 The Angels Wash Their Faces Sleepy Arkelian 1939 On Dress Parade Dutch 1940 You're Not So Tough Ape 1940 Junior G-Men Lug Serial1940 Give Us Wings Ape 1941 Hit the Road 1941 Mob Town 1941 Sea Raiders Butch Serial1942 Junior G-Men of the Air 'Creaseball' Plunkett Serial1942 Tough as They Come Ape 1942 Junior Army Bad Eye - Gang Member Uncredited1943 Mug Town Ape Final film
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