Paul Benedict

Paul Benedict (September 17, 1938 – December 1, 2008) was an American actor who made numerous appearances in television and movies beginning in 1965. He was known for his roles as The Number Painter on the popular PBS children's show Sesame Street, and as the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. 2Early life Benedict was born in Silver City, New Mexico, the son of Alma Marie (née Loring), a journalist, and Mitchell M. Benedict, a doctor. He grew up in Massachusetts. His oversized jaw and large nose were partially attributed to acromegaly; he was first diagnosed with it by an endocrinologist who saw Benedict in a theatrical production. 2Film and TV work Norman Lear cast Benedict as a Zen Buddhist in Cold Turkey which was completed in late fall 1969 but not released until February 1971. Benedict would go on to work with Lear in the coming years on Lear's various television projects. Benedict was best known for his role as Harry Bentley on the television series The Jeffersons. He played this role from 1975 when the series began until 1981, and then returned in 1983 and remained until the end of the series in 1985. His character was a well-mannered Englishman who lived in the apartment next door to George and Louise Jefferso