Bernard Punsly

Bernard Punsly

Punsly in trailer to "Little Tough Guy" (1938)
Born (1923-07-11)July 11, 1923
New York, New York, U.S.A.
Died January 20, 2004(2004-01-20) (aged 80)
Torrance, California
Occupation Actor
Years active 1937–1943

Bernard Punsly (July 11, 1923 – January 20, 2004) was a New York City-born American actor who later left show business to become a physician.

His last name was often spelled incorrectly in film credits as Punsley.

Career and personal life

Punsly auditioned for a part in the play Dead End in 1935, because he thought it might be fun. The success of the play led to a series of film appearances for the cast, including Punsly. The first film of the "Dead End Kids" (or Bowery Boys) series was Dead End (1937) with Joel McCrea and Humphrey Bogart. Punsly played the parts of "Milt" and later "Ape". He appeared with actors such as Ronald Reagan, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, John Garfield, and Humphrey Bogart.

He continued with similar film parts until he joined the army. Even as an actor, he was known to read medical books in his spare time. After receiving medical training in the army, Punsley entered the Medical College of the University of Georgia, subsequently obtaining his medical degree. He returned to the west to set up a medical practice in Torrance, California, never returning to show business.

He became chief of staff in the South Bay Hospital in Redondo Beach, California. He was married to Lynne and had two children, Bryan and Richard.

On January 20, 2004 at age 80, he died of cancer in Torrance, California.

Complete filmography

External links

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