They continued to make popular feature films until 1937, when Woolsey became too ill to work.

In 1938, after Robert Woolsey died, Bert Wheeler struggled to restart his career.

Their friend and former film costar Dorothy Lee agreed to tour with him in a vaudeville act.

Wheeler also kept up a busy schedule of live performances in nightclubs and on the legitimate stage, in such plays as Harvey (in the leading role of Elwood P. Dowd) and Three Wishes for Jamie.

In 1955 Wheeler co-starred with Keith Larsen in the CBS western series Brave Eagle; Wheeler played the "half-breed" Smokey Joe, known for his tall tales and tribal wisdom.