He worked as a director at Fox in 1927 and was one of the West Brothers who produced the 'Hairbreadth Harry' and 'Winnie Winkle' series of comedies.
He was born in Russia and came to the U.S. as a child.
Billy West was a silent film comedian, the best-known and most successful imitator of Charles Chaplin's "Tramp" character, until West developed his own comedic persona. Oliver Hardy was West's foil in many of his silents.
