Actor. His parents, William Nedell and Rose Speyer, were both theatrical actors. He appeared on stage from early childhood. Though he entertained ambitions of becoming a violinist, he decided on an acting career, at first only an extra. He was educated at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. "The Serpent", a silent movie of 1916, was one of his earliest movies; he was eighteen-years-old at time. In 1922 he and his first wife Betty Barnicoat starred together in the silent film, "The 13th Girl"; a Broadway actress, she died the next year. From 1929 to 1938, he preformed in films as well as on stage in Great Britain playing charming and often villain roles; he returned to Hollywood to continue in the similar roles. He landed roles in various films, including "The Man Who Could Work Miracles" in 1936, the Peter Lorre mystery "Mr. Moto's Gamble" in 1938 and the Ann Sheridan crime feature "Angels Wash Their Faces" in 1939. He also appeared in "Fast and Furious" in 1939 with Franchot Tone, the comedy "Lucky Night" in 1939 with Myrna Loy and "Secret Service of the Air" in 1939 with Ronald Reagan. He continued to work steadily in film throughout the thirties and the forties, appearing in the Bob Hope comedy adaptation "Some Like It Hot" 1939, the Pat O'Brien comedy "Slightly Honorable" in 1940 and "Strange Cargo" in 1940. He also appeared in the comedy "Henry Aldrich Swings It" in 1943 with Charles Smith, "Northern Pursuit" in 1943 with Errol Flynn and the western "The Desperadoes" in 1943 with Randolph Scott. In the latter part of his career, he tackled roles in the Ann Sothern comedy "Maisie Goes to Reno" in 1944, the comedy "One Body Too Many" in 1944 with Jack Haley and "Behind Green Lights" in 1946. He also appeared in "The Lone Wolf in Mexico" in 1947, "The Loves of Carmen" in 1948 and the drama "Heller in Pink Tights" in 1960 with Sophia Loren. Bernard Jay Nedall's last role was an unnamed car salesman in "Hickey and Boggs" in 1972. He was credited during his long career with fifty films with some listing him as "Bennie Nedell". He was interred along with his wife, actress Olive Blakeney.