Actors & Entertainers · 20th Century
W.C. Fields’s Last Words
“I'd rather be in Philadelphia.”— W.C. Fields, December 25, 1946
Who Was W.C. Fields?
W.C. Fields was a comedian famous for his misanthropic persona, bulbous nose, and love of alcohol. His films in the 1930s and 40s made him one of Hollywood's biggest comedy stars.
The Final Moments
Fields died on Christmas Day — a holiday he reportedly detested. His famous epitaph 'I'd rather be in Philadelphia' captures his curmudgeonly humor perfectly.
Are These Words Verified?
This was a joke Fields made during his lifetime, not actual last words. He was unconscious when he died from cirrhosis, and the quote has been misattributed as deathbed words.
Sources
- biography W.C. Fields By Himself by Ronald Fields
- other Contemporary magazine articles from Fields's lifetime
- biography James Curtis's W.C. Fields: A Biography
Legacy
Fields's cranky, anti-social comedy style influenced generations of comedians. His physical comedy skills, honed in vaudeville, were extraordinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were W.C. Fields’s last words?
“I'd rather be in Philadelphia.”
How did W.C. Fields die?
W.C. Fields died on December 25, 1946 at the age of 66. Cause of death: Stomach hemorrhage and liver cirrhosis.
Were W.C. Fields’s last words documented?
This was a joke Fields made during his lifetime, not actual last words. He was unconscious when he died from cirrhosis, and the quote has been misattributed as deathbed words.