William B. Davidson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William B. Davidson (June 16, 1888 โ September 28, 1947) was an American film actor. Davidson attended Columbia University where he played football. He became a popular football star. This fame eventually led to his foray into motion pictures after he had spent some time as a lawyer. He started in films in 1914 with Vitagraph and supported well known stage and film actresses such as Ethel Barrymore, Mabel Taliaferro, Charlotte Walker, Olga Petrova, Viola Dana, June Caprice, Edna Goodrich, and Mae West. He appeared in 318 films between 1915 and 1949. He was born in Dobbs Ferry, New York, and died in Santa Monica, California. His first Hollywood film was For the Honor of the Crew. Afterward, he appeared in many films, his best-known role was perhaps the Ship's captain in The Most Dangerous Game. He remained in show business until his sudden death after surgery in 1947.
Known For
Credits
- 1994 ยทMae West and the Men Who Knew Heras Self (archive footage)
- 1975 ยทBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)
- 1947 ยทThe Judge Steps Outas Colonel Bright (uncredited)
- 1947 ยทThat Hagen Girlas Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
- 1947 ยทThat's My Manas Steward
- 1947 ยทDick Tracy's Dilemmaas Peter Premium
- 1946 ยทThe Plainsman and the Ladyas Russell
- 1946 ยทMy Darling Clementineas Saloon Owner (uncredited)
- 1946 ยทThe Cat Creepsas James Walsh
- 1946 ยทDing Dong Williamsas Mr. Saul Dana
- 1946 ยทBlonde Alibias Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
- 1946 ยทThe Notorious Lone Wolfas Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
- 1945 ยทThey Were Expendableas Hotel Manager (uncredited)
- 1945 ยทSing Your Way Homeas F.T. Johnson
- 1945 ยทTell It to a Staras Brannigan
- 1945 ยทCircumstantial Evidenceas Board of Appeals Chairman
- 1945 ยทThe Man Who Walked Aloneas Governor
- 1945 ยทSee My Lawyeras Judge
- 1944 ยทGreenwich Villageas Dance Director
- 1944 ยทIn Societyas Parker
- 1944 ยทMake Your Own Bedas Mr. Linklater
- 1944 ยทA Night of Adventureas Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
- 1944 ยทUp in Armsas Maxwell (uncredited)
- 1943 ยทOver the Wallas Warden Ed
- 1943 ยทMurder on the Waterfrontas Capt. Towne
- 1943 ยทThe Good Fellowsas Blake
- 1943 ยทHers to Holdas Al
- 1943 ยทMission to Moscowas Senator (uncredited)
- 1943 ยทCalabooseas Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
- 1943 ยทTruck Bustersas Stephen S. Gray
- 1942 ยทGentleman Jimas Donovan (uncredited)
- 1942 ยทCareful, Soft Shouldersas Mr. Aldrich
- 1942 ยทThe Magnificent Dopeas Mr. Reindel
- 1942 ยทThe Affairs of Marthaas Homer Jacell
- 1942 ยทIn This Our Lifeas Jim Purdy
- 1942 ยทLarceny, Inc.as McCarthy
- 1942 ยทThe Affairs of Jimmy Valentineas Cyrus Ballard
- 1942 ยทThe Male Animalas Alumnus
- 1942 ยทOver My Dead Bodyas Crole (as William Davidson)
- 1941 ยทRemember the Dayas Committeeman
- 1941 ยทKeep 'Em Flyingas Gonigle
- 1941 ยทThe Great Man's Ladyas Sen. Knobs
- 1941 ยทThree Girls About Townas Labor Leader
- 1941 ยทUncle Joeas Mr. Day
- 1941 ยทWeek-End in Havanaas Captain Moss
- 1941 ยทSun Valley Serenadeas Jack Murray
- 1941 ยทHold That Ghostas Moose Matson
- 1941 ยทHighway Westas Gorman
- 1941 ยทThree Sons o' Gunsas Henry Baxter
- 1941 ยทIn the Navyas Capt. Richards (uncredited)
- 1941 ยทThieves Fall Outas Harrison "Harry" Eckles
- 1941 ยทThe Lady from Cheyenneas Nye Dunbar
- 1941 ยทMan-Made Monsteras District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
- 1940 ยทSan Francisco Docksas Dist. Atty. Craig
- 1940 ยทCharter Pilotas Mr. Wentworth
- 1940 ยทLady with Red Hairas Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
- 1940 ยทTin Pan Alleyas Hotel Manager
- 1940 ยทSandy Gets Her Manas Councilman Charles J. Clark
- 1940 ยทSeven Sinnersas Police Chief
- 1940 ยทHired Wifeas Mumford (as William Davidson)
- 1940 ยทMarylandas John Addison
- 1940 ยทMy Love Came Backas Agent
- 1940 ยทSailor's Ladyas Judge Hinsdale
- 1940 ยทFlorianas Archduke Franz Ferdinand
- 1940 ยทGirl in 313as George Grayson
- 1940 ยทLillian Russellas President Cleveland
- 1940 ยทOn Their Ownas Judge Bull
- 1940 ยทHalf a Sinneras Slick
- 1940 ยทGranny Get Your Gunas Fitzgerald
- 1940 ยทMy Little Chickadeeas Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
- 1939 ยทInvisible Stripesas Montgomery (uncredited)
- 1939 ยทPrivate Detectiveas Inspector Evans
- 1939 ยทSmashing the Money Ringas Warden Denby
- 1939 ยทHoneymoon in Balias Store Detective
- 1939 ยทDust Be My Destinyas Work Farm Warden
- 1939 ยทHidden Poweras Foster
- 1939 ยทEach Dawn I Dieas Bill Mason
- 1939 ยทIndianapolis Speedwayas Duncan Martin
- 1939 ยทNaughty But Niceas Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
- 1939 ยทOn Trialas Mr. Gray
- 1939 ยทSudden Moneyas Sam
- 1939 ยทThree Smart Girls Grow Upas Stock Broker
- 1939 ยทBlondie Meets the Bossas Elderly Man in Cafรฉ (uncredited)
- 1939 ยทTail Spinas Sales Manager (Uncredited)
- 1939 ยทBlackwell's Islandas Hempel
- 1939 ยทThey Made Me a Criminalas Ennis
- 1939 ยทOff the Recordas Scotty
- 1938 ยทIllegal Trafficas Dalton
- 1938 ยทThere Goes My Heartas Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
- 1938 ยทMr. Doodle Kicks Offas Ellory Bugs
- 1938 ยทLetter of Introductionas Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
- 1938 ยทRacket Bustersas Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
- 1938 ยทCowboy from Brooklynas Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
- 1938 ยทBlockadeas Commandant
- 1938 ยทYou and Meas N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
- 1938 ยทCocoanut Groveas Hawtrey
- 1938 ยทThe Jury's Secretas Page
- 1938 ยทHollywood Hotelas Director Kelton
- 1938 ยทSergeant Murphyas Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
- 1937 ยทLove on Toastas Jonathan
- 1937 ยทThe Hurricaneas Abusive Drunk (uncredited)
- 1937 ยทSomething to Sing Aboutas Mr. Richards (as William Davidson)
- 1937 ยทBehind the Mikeas Cyrus Wittles
- 1937 ยทIt Happened in Hollywoodas Al Howard
- 1937 ยทParadise Isleas Hoener
- 1937 ยทEasy Livingas Mr. Hyde
- 1937 ยทEver Since Eveas Henderson
- 1937 ยทMarry the Girlas Drake
- 1937 ยทThe Road Backas Bartscher
- 1937 ยทMelody for Twoas Mr. Hale
- 1937 ยทLet Them Liveas The Editor
- 1937 ยทMarked Womanas Bob Crandall
- 1937 ยทMidnight Courtas Alfred H. Kruger
- 1936 ยทGold Diggers of 1937as Andy Callahan
- 1936 ยทEarthworm Tractorsas Mr. Jackson
- 1936 ยทSatan Met a Ladyas City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
- 1936 ยทThe Big Noiseas Welford Andrews
- 1936 ยทMurder by an Aristocratas Bayard Thatcher (as William Davidson)
- 1936 ยทFatal Ladyas Detective (uncredited)
- 1936 ยทThe Singing Kidas Barney Hammond
- 1936 ยทRoad Gangas Attorney General Mardsen
- 1936 ยทLove on a Betas A.W. Hutchinson
- 1936 ยทYou May Be Next!as Official (uncredited)
- 1935 ยทDangerousas Reed Walsh
- 1935 ยทShow Them No Mercy!as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
- 1935 ยทIn Personas Director Bill Sutter
- 1935 ยทSpecial Agentas Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
- 1935 ยทRedheads on Paradeas Theatre Manager
- 1935 ยทWoman Wantedas Collins
- 1935 ยทOil for the Lamps of Chinaas E.H. Swaley
- 1935 ยทGo Into Your Danceas Tom McGee
- 1935 ยทA Night at the Ritzas Connolly
- 1935 ยทDeath Flies Eastas Police Captain Barrie
- 1935 ยทSweet Musicas Billie Madison
- 1935 ยทDevil Dogs of the Airas Adjutant
- 1935 ยทBordertownas Dr. Carter
- 1934 ยทThe Man Who Reclaimed His Headas Charles (as William Davidson)
- 1934 ยทThe Secret Brideas Representative McPherson
- 1934 ยทImitation of Lifeas Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
- 1934 ยทThe St. Louis Kidas Joe Hunter
- 1934 ยทThe Dragon Murder Caseas Greeff
- 1934 ยทHousewifeas Nan's Attorney
- 1934 ยทFriends of Mr. Sweeneyas Stephen Prime
- 1934 ยทFog Over Friscoas Editor Joe Hogue
- 1934 ยทUpperworldas City Editor (uncredited)
- 1934 ยทLaughing Boyas Hartshone (as William Davidson)
- 1934 ยทThe Big Shakedownas District Attorney (uncredited)
- 1933 ยทLady Killeras Director Williams
- 1933 ยทFemaleas Department Head (Uncredited)
- 1933 ยทMeet the Baronas General Broadcasting Representative
- 1933 ยทI'm No Angelas Ernest Brown
- 1933 ยทTorch Singeras Jarrett
- 1933 ยทHow to Break 90 #3: Hip Actionas Himself
- 1933 ยทThe Intruderas Det. Lt. Samson
- 1933 ยทDangerously Yoursas George Carr
- 1933 ยทMystery of the Wax Museumas Detective (Uncredited)
- 1933 ยทHello, Everybody!as Mr. Parker
- 1933 ยทThe Billion Dollar Scandalas Jim Lawrence
- 1932 ยทThe Animal Kingdomas Chess Player
- 1932 ยทCentral Parkas Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
- 1932 ยทGuilty or Not Guiltyas Chief
- 1932 ยทThe Sport Paradeas Kendricks (uncredited)
- 1932 ยทThe Pride of the Legionas Sgt. Arnold
- 1932 ยทHer Mad Nightas District Attorney
- 1932 ยทThe Most Dangerous Gameas Captain
- 1932 ยทThe Thirteenth Guestas Police Captain Brown (Uncredited)
- 1932 ยทIs My Face Red?as O'Sullivan
- 1932 ยทScarfaceas Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
- 1932 ยทThe Lost Squadronas Lelewer
- 1932 ยทSky Devilsas Captain
- 1932 ยทThe Menaceas John Utterson
- 1931 ยทHalf Holidayas Jerry - Andy's Pal
- 1931 ยทGraftas M.H. Thomas
- 1931 ยทThe Secret Callas Jim Blake
- 1931 ยทThe Vice Squadas Magistrate Tom Morrison
- 1931 ยทWindy Riley Goes Hollywoodas
- 1931 ยทHow I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'as Himself - Golfer
- 1931 ยทDishonoredas
- 1931 ยทCaptain Applejackas Bill Dennett
- 1931 ยทNo Limitas Wilkie
- 1930 ยทHook, Line and Sinkeras Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
- 1930 ยทOh, for a Man!as Kerry Stokes
- 1930 ยทHell's Angelsas Staff Major
- 1930 ยทSunnyas First Ship's Officer
- 1930 ยทThe Silver Hordeas Tom Hilliard
- 1930 ยทPlayboy of Parisas Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
- 1930 ยทThe Costello Caseas Saunders
- 1930 ยทScarlet Pagesas Jackson
- 1930 ยทFor the Defenseas Dist. Atty. Stone
- 1930 ยทA Man from Wyomingas Major
- 1930 ยทMen Are Like Thatas Frank Hyland
- 1929 ยทBlaze o' Gloryas District Attorney (as William Davidson)
- 1929 ยทAlways Faithfulas George W. Mason
- 1929 ยทWoman Trapas Watts
- 1929 ยทQueen of the Night Clubsas Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
- 1929 ยทThe Carnation Kidas Blythe
- 1928 ยทSharp Toolsas
- 1928 ยทGood Morning, Judgeas Elton (as William Davidson)
- 1927 ยทA Gentleman of Parisas Henri Dufour
- 1927 ยทCradle Snatchersas Roy Ladd
- 1927 ยทThe Last Trailas Kurt Morley
- 1925 ยทHearts and Spursas Victor Dufresne
- 1925 ยทRecompenseas Col. Donovan
- 1925 ยทPorts of Callas Randolph Sherman
- 1924 ยทThe Valley of Doubtas Macy
- 1923 ยทAdam and Evaas Dr. Delamater
- 1922 ยทThe Dumb-Bellas
- 1921 ยทThe Girl from Nowhereas Jimmy Ryder
- 1920 ยทPartners of the Nightas Robert Clifford
- 1919 ยทThe Capitolas Congressman Blake
- 1919 ยทLure of Ambitionas Hon. Cyril Ralston
- 1919 ยทImpossible Catherineas John Henry Jackson
- 1919 ยทLa belle Russeas Brand
- 1919 ยทA Woman There Wasas Rev. Winthrop Stark
- 1918 ยทWhy I Would Not Marryas Undetermined Role
- 1918 ยทIn Pursuit of Pollyas Larry O'Malley
- 1918 ยทAshes of Loveas
- 1917 ยทHer Second Husbandas John Kirby
- 1917 ยทAmerican Maidas David Starr
- 1917 ยทPersuasive Peggyas Ed Trowbridge
- 1917 ยทThe Lifted Veilas Malcolm Grant
- 1917 ยทThe Greatest Poweras John Conrad
- 1917 ยทThe Call of Her Peopleas Nicholas Van Kleet
- 1917 ยทMary Lawson's Secretas Dr. Brundage
- 1917 ยทThe White Ravenas The Stranger
- 1917 ยทA Modern Cinderellaas
- 1916 ยทIn the Diplomatic Serviceas Lynn Hardi
- 1916 ยทThe Pretendersas Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
- 1916 ยทDorian's Divorceas Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
- 1916 ยทThe Price of Maliceas Capt. Mills
- 1916 ยทHer Debt of Honoras John Hartfield
- 1915 ยทA Yellow Streakas Jack Rader
- 1915 ยทFor the Honor of the Crewas Robert Brent