Children: Stuart Erwin Jr., Judy.
In 1938, Erwin was booked to play Dagwood opposite Una Merkel as his blonde missus, when Chic Young's Blondie comic-strip couple hit the screen. Finally, the role (in some 28 films across 12 years) went to Arthur Lake and Penny Singleton. Ironically, Erwin made one film in the much-loved series, Blondie for Victory (1942).
Specialised in playing the average Joe, also hayseeds and semi-buffoonish sidekicks. Best as boxer Joe Palooka of comic strip fame (Palooka,1939) and as Judy Garland's dense brother in Pigskin Parade (1936), which earned him an Academy Award nomination.