Reid was a drama graduate from Carnegie Tech who had some years of stage experience performing at the Cleveland PLayhouse in the 1920's, where he met his future wife, the actress Hazel Harrison. After moving to New York, he became a noted actor on the Broadway stage with some impressive credits to his name. Between 1929 and 1949, he appeared in such illustrious productions as 'Life with Father' (in the title role), 'Chekhov's 'The Cherry Orchard' with Eva Le Gallienne and 'The Iceman Cometh' by 'Eugene O'Neill'. About Reid's Harry Slade in 'Iceman', famous critic Brooks Atkinson wrote "as the barroom's (sic) master of cosmic thinking, Carl Benton Reid is vigorously incisive and lends substance to the entire performance" (NY Times, October 10, 1946). Reid's stern demeanor lent itself to playing all sorts of tough characters, particularly heavy fathers, which he did ably (and often) as in 'Strange Bedfellows (1947)'. Way back in 1942, Atkinson had commented on his energetic performance in the title role of the comedy 'Papa is All': "Reid plays Papa with a snarl and ferocity that make the wreck at the railroad crossing an occasion of civic betterment" (NY Times, March 21, 1973). Reid left for Hollywood to recreate his stage role of Oscar Hubbard in the outstanding film adaptation of Lillian Hellman's play The Little Foxes (1941). Shot at RKO studios, it was brilliantly directed by William Wyler . With his customary scowl and icy delivery, Reid was perfect as one of two avaricious brothers (the other was played by Charles Dingle ) of equally venomous turn-of-the century Southern aristocrat Regina Giddens (whose part was played on stage by Tallulah Bankhead and in the film by Bette Davis ). Reid's powerful performance ensured many years of regular employment in films and on television, though none of his subsequent roles ever came close to repeating his earlier success.

He repeated his 1939 stage role of Oscar Hubbard in the original Broadway production of "The Little Foxes" when the 1941 film was made.Stern, mustachioed American character actor who mostly played well-dressed heavies in the 40s and 50s.Graduated from the drama department at Carnegie Tech.Trained at the Cleveland Playhouse in the 1920s and appeared in shortened versions of Shakespearean productions at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933.