Earl Bennett, 87; performed as Sir Frederick Gas in the Spike Jones novelty band
Earl Bennett, 87, who performed with the Spike Jones novelty band as Sir Frederick Gas, died Oct. 4 of complications from old age at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Bennett performed with Jones’ musical and comedy ensemble on radio and TV, and appeared in the live act for several years in the 1950s, sporting a wild mane and making odd sounds from two sticks rubbed together like an improvised violin. After leaving Jones’ band, Bennett worked as an editor for United Productions of America on “Mr. Magoo” and other cartoons.
Born Nov. 5, 1919, in Kansas City, Kan., Bennett grew up on a farm. He studied with American regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton at the Kansas City Art Institute from 1938 to 1941. Bennett joined Jones’ band after serving in the military during World War II.
In retirement, Bennett returned to painting, mostly landscapes, until his eyesight began to fail.
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