Arthur Lake starred in the movies during the silent period, setting the groundwork for what would become his greatest success by playing a string of dim bulbs.

In 1938 he achieved movie immortality with his iconic portrayal of his greatest dimwit ever, Dagwood Bumstead, whom he played opposite Penny Singleton’s Blondie in highly successful series of films until 1950.

In addition to the films, he and Singleton also appeared in their roles on a half-hour radio show during the time span as the movies. Lake’s performance as Blondie’s perpetually-late, perpetually-fired husband is the standard by which all future performances will be judged.