Occupation Actor Spouse Helen Bolton (m. ?–1947) Role Film actor | Name William Davidson Years active 1915-1949 Education Columbia University | |
Born June 16, 1888 ( 1888-06-16 ) Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA Died September 28, 1947, Santa Monica, California, United States Movies The Most Dangerous Game, The Silver Horde, Hook - Line and Sinker, Earthworm Tractors, Florian Similar People Irving Pichel, Ernest B Schoedsack, Edward F Cline, Eve Unsell, Lloyd Bacon | ||
William B. Davidson (June 16, 1888 – September 28, 1947) was an American film actor.
Contents
Biography
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.
Filmography
Actor
1948
The Judge Steps Out as
Colonel Bright (uncredited)
1947
My Wild Irish Rose as
Brewster - Three Tycoons (as William Davidson)
1947
That Hagen Girl as
Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
1947
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer as
Mr. Overholtz (uncredited)
1947
The Trouble with Women as
Mr. Peabody (uncredited)
1947
That's My Man as
Monte - Racing Steward
1947
Dick Tracy's Dilemma as
Peter Premium
1947
The Farmer's Daughter as
Eckers
1946
Plainsman and the Lady as
Mr. Russell
1946
My Darling Clementine as
Saloon Owner (uncredited)
1946
Lover Come Back (uncredited)
1946
In Old Sacramento as
Fargo (uncredited)
1946
The Cat Creeps as
James Walsh (as William Davidson)
1946
Her Kind of Man as
Newspaper Editor Seelig (uncredited)
1946
Ding Dong Williams as
Mr. Saul Dana (as William Davidson)
1946
Blonde Alibi as
Police Capt. Hurley (uncredited)
1946
The Hoodlum Saint as
Annoyed Man (scenes deleted)
1946
The Notorious Lone Wolf as
Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
1945
They Were Expendable as
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
1945
Saratoga Trunk as
Mr. Stone (uncredited)
1945
Sing Your Way Home as
F.T. Johnson (uncredited)
1945
Shady Lady as
Danton (uncredited)
1945
Tell It to a Star as
Brannigan
1945
Ziegfeld Follies as
2nd Judge ('Pay the Two Dollars') (uncredited)
1945
Incendiary Blonde as
Mr. Davidson - Businessman (uncredited)
1945
You Came Along as
Airport Official (uncredited)
1945
Penthouse Rhythm as
Doorman- Junior's Building (uncredited)
1945
Blonde Ransom as
Police Captain (as Bill Davidson)
1945
Swing Out, Sister as
Doorman (uncredited)
1945
Circumstantial Evidence as
Chairman
1945
Dillinger as
Bank President (uncredited)
1945
The Man Who Walked Alone as
Governor
1945
See My Lawyer as
Judge
1945
Youth for the Kingdom as
Mr. Manson
1945
Leave It to Blondie as
Butler (uncredited)
1945
Night Club Girl as
Brenner (uncredited)
1944
San Diego I Love You as
General (uncredited)
1944
Greenwich Village as
Bert Hendricks, Dance Director (uncredited)
1944
In Society as
Parker
1944
Song of Nevada as
Worthington (uncredited)
1944
Allergic to Love as
Mr. Henderson (as William Davidson)
1944
Since You Went Away as
Taxpayer (uncredited)
1944
A Night of Adventure as
Gilbert J. 'Gil' Regan (uncredited)
1944
Make Your Own Bed as
Mr. Linklater (uncredited)
1944
Shine on Harvest Moon as
Tim Donovan (uncredited)
1944
Up in Arms as
Maxwell (uncredited)
1944
Strange Confession as
Adjutant
1944
And the Angels Sing as
Theatrical Agent (uncredited)
1943
Over the Wall (Short) as
Warden Ed
1943
In Old Oklahoma as
Master of Ceremonies (uncredited)
1943
A Scream in the Dark as
Landlord (uncredited)
1943
Murder on the Waterfront as
Capt. David Towne
1943
The Good Fellows as
Blake
1943
Let's Face It as
Man in Boat (uncredited)
1943
Hers to Hold as
Al, a Guest (uncredited)
1943
Mission to Moscow as
Senator (uncredited)
1943
Calaboose as
Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
1943
Truck Busters as
Stephen S. Gray (uncredited)
1943
City Without Men as
Prison Warden (uncredited)
1943
Happy Go Lucky as
Husband (uncredited)
1942
Tennessee Johnson as
Vice President Breckenridge (uncredited)
1942
Over My Dead Body as
Crole (as William Davidson)
1942
Gentleman Jim as
Donovan (uncredited)
1942
Careful, Soft Shoulders as
Mr. Aldrich
1942
The Magnificent Dope as
Mr. Reindel
1942
The Affairs of Martha as
Homer Jacell
1942
Juke Girl as
Paley
1942
Yankee Doodle Dandy as
New York Stage Manager (uncredited)
1942
In This Our Life as
Jim Purdy
1942
Larceny, Inc as
McCarthy
1942
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine as
Cyrus Ballard
1942
The Male Animal as
Alumnus
1942
A Gentleman at Heart as
Tiny (uncredited)
1941
Remember the Day as
Committeeman (uncredited)
1941
Keep 'Em Flying as
Gonigle (as William Davidson)
1941
The Great Man's Lady as
Sen. Knobs
1941
Three Girls About Town as
Labor Leader (uncredited)
1941
Uncle Joe as
J. K. Day
1941
Week-End in Havana as
Captain Moss (as William Davidson)
1941
We Go Fast as
Nightclub Manager (uncredited)
1941
Sun Valley Serenade as
Murray (as William Davidson)
1941
Highway West as
Gorman
1941
Hold That Ghost as
Moose Matson (as William Davidson)
1941
Three Sons o' Guns as
Baxter (as William Davidson)
1941
In the Navy as
Capt. Richards (uncredited)
1941
Thieves Fall Out as
Harry Eckles (as William Davidson)
1941
The Lady from Cheyenne as
Nye Dunbar (as William Davidson)
1941
Man Made Monster as
District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley (as William Davidson)
1941
Nice Girl? as
Man with Van Dyke (uncredited)
1940
San Francisco Docks as
District Attorney R.L. Craig (as William Davidson)
1940
A Night at Earl Carroll's as
Mayor Green of San Bernardino
1940
Charter Pilot as
Wentword (uncredited)
1940
Lady with Red Hair as
Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
1940
Tin Pan Alley as
Hotel Manager
1940
Sandy Gets Her Man as
Councilman Charles J. Clark (as William Davidson)
1940
Seven Sinners as
Police Chief (as William Davidson)
1940
Hired Wife as
Mumford (as William Davidson)
1940
My Love Came Back as
Agent (as William Davidson)
1940
Maryland as
John Addison (uncredited)
1940
Sailor's Lady as
Judge Hinsdale
1940
Florian as
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
1940
Girl in 313 as
George Grayson
1940
On Their Own as
Judge Bull
1940
Lillian Russell as
President Cleveland (as William Davidson)
1940
Half a Sinner as
Slick Capasco
1940
3 Cheers for the Irish as
Police Commissioner (as William Davidson)
1940
Granny Get Your Gun as
Fitzgerald (as William Davidson)
1940
My Little Chickadee as
Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
1939
Invisible Stripes as
Montgomery (uncredited)
1939
The Honeymoon's Over as
Crane
1939
Private Detective as
Inspector Evans (as William Davidson)
1939
Smashing the Money Ring as
Warden Denby (as William Davidson)
1939
Honeymoon in Bali as
Store Detective
1939
Hidden Power as
Foster
1939
Dust Be My Destiny as
Warden (as William Davidson)
1939
When Tomorrow Comes as
Army Captain (uncredited)
1939
Each Dawn I Die as
Bill Mason (as William Davidson)
1939
Indianapolis Speedway as
Duncan Martin (as William Davidson)
1939
Naughty But Nice as
Sam' Hudson (as Bill Davidson)
1939
On Trial as
Mr. Gray (as William Davidson)
1939
Sudden Money as
Sam
1939
Three Smart Girls Grow Up as
Stock Broker (uncredited)
1939
Blondie Meets the Boss as
Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
1939
Tail Spin as
Sales Manager (uncredited)
1939
Blackwell's Island as
Hempel (uncredited)
1939
Off the Record as
Scotty
1939
They Made Me a Criminal as
Chief Insp. Ennis (as William Davidson)
1938
Illegal Traffic as
Dalton
1938
There Goes My Heart as
Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
1938
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off as
Ellory Bugs - Jimmie's Father
1938
The Texans as
Mr. Jessup - Railroad Man (uncredited)
1938
Letter of Introduction as
Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
1938
Racket Busters as
Manhatten Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
1938
Cowboy from Brooklyn as
Mr. Alvey (as William Davidson)
1938
Blockade as
Commandant (as Wm. B. Davidson)
1938
You and Me as
N. G. Orton - Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
1938
Cocoanut Grove as
Hawtrey (uncredited)
1938
Happy Landing as
Manager (uncredited)
1938
The Jury's Secret as
Page
1938
Sergeant Murphy as
Major Gruff (uncredited)
1937
Hollywood Hotel as
Director Kelton (as William Davidson)
1937
Love on Toast as
Jonathan
1937
The Hurricane as
Abusive Drunk (uncredited)
1937
Something to Sing About as
Mr. Richards (as William Davidson)
1937
Behind the Mike as
Cyrus Wittles
1937
It Happened in Hollywood as
Al Howard
1937
Paradise Isle as
Hoener
1937
Marry the Girl as
Drake (as William Davidson)
1937
Easy Living as
Mr. Hyde
1937
Ever Since Eve as
Henderson (as William Davidson)
1937
The Road Back as
Bartscher
1937
Affairs of Cappy Ricks as
Waldo P. Bottomly Sr.
1937
Let Them Live as
The Editor
1937
Marked Woman as
Crandall
1937
Midnight Court as
Alfred H. Kruger (as William Davidson)
1937
Melody for Two as
Mr. Hale (uncredited)
1936
Gold Diggers of 1937 as
Andy Callahan (as Wm. Davidson)
1936
Mind Your Own Business as
Undetermined Supporting Role (scenes deleted)
1936
Earthworm Tractors as
Mr. Jackson (as William Davidson)
1936
Satan Met a Lady as
City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
1936
The Big Noise as
Welford Andrews (as William Davidson)
1936
Murder by an Aristocrat as
Bayard Thatcher (as William Davidson)
1936
Fatal Lady as
Detective (uncredited)
1936
The Singing Kid as
Barney Hammond (as Wm. Davidson)
1936
Love on a Bet as
A.W. Hutchinson (uncredited)
1936
Road Gang as
Atty. Gen. Marsden (as William Davidson)
1936
You May Be Next! as
Official (uncredited)
1935
Dangerous as
Reed Walsh (as William Davidson)
1935
Show Them No Mercy! as
Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
1935
In Person as
Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
1935
Special Agent as
Charlie Young (as William Davidson)
1935
Redheads on Parade as
Theatre Manager (uncredited)
1935
The Crusades as
Amir (uncredited)
1935
Woman Wanted as
Collins
1935
Bright Lights as
The Ventriloquist (uncredited)
1935
Oil for the Lamps of China as
E.H. Swaley (as William Davidson)
1935
Go Into Your Dance as
Tom McGee (as William Davidson)
1935
Straight from the Heart as
Prosecuting Attorney
1935
Roberta as
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1935
Death Flies East as
Captain Daniel J. Barrie (uncredited)
1935
A Night at the Ritz as
Connolly, an Editor (as William Davidson)
1935
Sweet Music as
Billy Madison (as William Davidson)
1935
The Woman in Red as
Mr. Goodyear - Guest on Yacht (uncredited)
1935
Devil Dogs of the Air as
Adjutant (as William Davidson)
1935
Bordertown as
Dr. Carter (as William Davidson)
1934
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head as
Charles (as William Davidson)
1934
The Secret Bride as
Representative McPherson (as William Davidson)
1934
The St. Louis Kid as
Joe Hunter (as William Davidson)
1934
Imitation of Life as
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
1934
The Lemon Drop Kid as
Police Captain (uncredited)
1934
The Dragon Murder Case as
Greeff (as William Davidson)
1934
Housewife as
Nan's Lawyer (uncredited)
1934
Friends of Mr. Sweeney as
Stephen Prime (as William Davidson)
1934
Midnight Alibi as
Nick - Angie's Henchman (uncredited)
1934
Fog Over Frisco as
Joe Hogue - Editor (as William Davidson)
1934
Twenty Million Sweethearts as
Bill - Manager of Woodcliff Inn (uncredited)
1934
Upperworld as
City Editor (uncredited)
1934
Laughing Boy as
George Hartshorne (as William Davidson)
1934
Success at Any Price as
Ryan - Private Detective (uncredited)
1934
Massacre as
Sen. Beale (uncredited)
1934
Easy to Love as
Dr. Donald W. Swope (uncredited)
1934
The Big Shakedown as
District Attorney (uncredited)
1933
Lady Killer as
Director Williams (as William Davidson)
1933
Sitting Pretty as
Film Director (uncredited)
1933
Female as
Department Head (uncredited)
1933
Only Yesterday (uncredited)
1933
Meet the Baron as
General Broadcasting Representative
1933
I'm No Angel as
The Chump Ernest Brown (as Wm. B. Davidson)
1933
Torch Singer as
Jarrett (uncredited)
1933
The Intruder as
Det. Lt. Samson
1933
Dangerously Yours as
George Carr
1933
Hello, Everybody! as
Mr. Parker
1933
Mystery of the Wax Museum as
Detective (uncredited)
1933
The Billion Dollar Scandal as
Lawrence
1932
The Animal Kingdom as
Grace's Husband (uncredited)
1932
Central Park as
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
1932
Guilty or Not Guilty as
Chief
1932
The Sport Parade as
Kendricks (uncredited)
1932
Madison Square Garden as
Head, MSG Board of Directors (uncredited)
1932
The Pride of the Legion as
Police Sgt. Arnold
1932
Her Mad Night as
District Attorney
1932
The Most Dangerous Game as
Captain (as William Davidson)
1932
The Thirteenth Guest as
Police Capt. Brown (uncredited)
1932
Guilty as Hell as
Governor (uncredited)
1932
Is My Face Red? as
O'Sullivan - Managing Editor (uncredited)
1932
Scandal for Sale as
Banker Mason (uncredited)
1932
Scarface as
Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
1932
The Lost Squadron as
Lelewer (as William Davidson)
1932
Sky Devils as
Captain
1932
The Menace as
John Utterson (as William Davidson)
1931
Half Holiday (Short) as
Jerry - Ed's Pal (as William Davidson)
1931
Graft as
M.H. Thomas
1931
The Secret Call as
Jim Blake
1931
The Vice Squad as
Magistrate Tom Morrison
1931
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood (Short)(as William Davidson)
1931
Dishonored as
2nd Firing Squad Officer (uncredited)
1931
No Limit as
Wilkie (building superintendent)
1930
Hook, Line and Sinker as
Frank Dukette (as William Davidson)
1930
Captain Applejack as
Bill Dennett (as William Davidson)
1930
Oh, for a Man! as
Kerry Stokes (uncredited)
1930
Sunny as
First Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1930
The Silver Horde as
Tom Hilliard (as William Davidson)
1930
Playboy of Paris as
Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
1930
The Costello Case as
Saunders (as William Davidson)
1930
Scarlet Pages as
Jackson (as William Davidson)
1930
Common Clay as
Sympathetic Judge (uncredited)
1930
For the Defense as
District Attorney Herbert L. Stone
1930
A Man from Wyoming as
Major
1930
Hell's Angels as
Staff Major
1930
Czar of Broadway as
Club Manager (uncredited)
1930
Fat Wives for Thin (Short) as
Bill Gilmore
1930
Men Are Like That as
Frank Hyland
1930
Letters (Short)
1929
Always Faithful (Short) as
George W. Mason
1929
Blaze o' Glory as
District Attorney (as William Davidson)
1929
Painted Faces as
Ringmaster (uncredited)
1929
Woman Trap as
Watts
1929
Queen of the Night Clubs as
Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
1929
Ain't It the Truth (Short) as
Mr. Barefax
1929
The Carnation Kid as
Blythe
1928
Sharp Tools (Short)
1928
Good Morning, Judge as
Elton (as William Davidson)
1928
The Noose as
Bill Chase (uncredited)
1927
The Gaucho as
Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
1927
The Lash (Short) as
Inspector Nolan (as William Davidson)
1927
A Gentleman of Paris as
Henri Dufour
1927
The Cradle Snatchers as
Roy Ladd
1927
Love Makes 'Em Wild as
Mamie's Ex-husband
1927
The Last Trail as
Kurt Morley (as William Davidson)
1926
The Tennis Wizard (Short) as
Archie Foote
1925
All Abroad (Short) as
Elliot
1925
A Business Engagement (Short) as
Elliott (as Bill Davidson)
1925
Hearts and Spurs as
Victor Dufresne
1925
Recompense as
Col. Donovan
1925
Women and Gold as
Señor Ortego (as William Davidson)
1925
Ports of Call as
Randolph Sherman (as William Davidson)
1924
The Storm Daughter as
Rennert (First Mate [mutineer])
1923
Salomy Jane as
Gambler (as William Davidson)
1923
Adam and Eva as
Dr. Delamater
1922
The Dumb-Bell (Short)
1922
Destiny's Isle as
Lazus
1921
Conceit as
William Crombie
1921
Nobody as
John Rossmore
1921
The Girl from Nowhere as
Jimmy Ryder
1920
The Valley of Doubt as
Macy
1920
A Child for Sale as
Dr. Gordon (as William Davidson)
1920
Partners of the Night as
Robert Clifford
1919
The Capitol as
Congressman Blake
1919
Lure of Ambition as
Hon. Cyril Ralston
1919
Impossible Catherine as
John Henry Jackson
1919
La belle Russe as
Brand
1919
A Woman There Was as
Rev. Winthrop Stark
1919
The Gold Cure as
Michael Darcy
1918
Why I Should Not Marry
1918
Why I Would Not Marry as
Undetermined Role
1918
In Pursuit of Polly as
Larry O'Malley
1918
Ashes of Love
1918
Friend Husband as
John Sparr (as William Davidson)
1918
The Whirlpool as
Arthur Hallam
1918
Our Little Wife as
Dr. Elliott
1918
The Other Woman as
Undetermined Role
1917
Her Second Husband as
John Kirby
1917
American Maid as
David Starr
1917
Persuasive Peggy as
Ed Trowbridge
1917
More Truth Than Poetry as
Allen Danby
1917
The Lifted Veil as
Malcolm Grant
1917
The Greatest Power as
John Conrad
1917
Lady Barnacle as
Krishna Dhwaj
1917
The Call of Her People as
Nicholas Van Kleet
1917
A Magdalene of the Hills as
Bud Weaver
1917
Mary Lawson's Secret as
Dr. Brundage (as William Davidson)
1917
The White Raven as
The Stranger
1917
A Modern Cinderella
1916
In the Diplomatic Service as
Lynn Hardi (as William Davidson)
1916
The Pretenders as
Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
1916
The Child of Destiny as
Calvin Baker (as William Davidson)
1916
Dorian's Divorce as
Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
1916
The Price of Malice as
Capt. Mills (as William Davidson)
1916
Her Debt of Honor as
John Hartfield (as William Davidson)
1916
Thou Art the Man as
Khitmatgar
1915
A Yellow Streak as
Jack Rader (as William Davidson)
1915
For the Honor of the Crew (Short) as
Robert Brent
Self
1933
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action (Short) as
Self - Bill Davidson (uncredited)
1931
How I Play Golf by Bobby Jones, No. 2: 'Chip Shots' (Short) as
Self - Golfer
Archive Footage
2017
She's Gotta Have It (TV Series) as
Man Buying Cigar
- #HowToMakeLoveToANegroWithoutGettingTired (2017) - Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
1994
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her (TV Movie documentary)
1982
Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter (TV Movie documentary) as
Actor - 'In Society' (uncredited)
1981
James Cagney: That Yankee Doodle Dandy (TV Movie documentary)
1975
Brother Can You Spare a Dime (Documentary)
1955
MGM Parade (TV Series documentary) as
Judge
- Episode #1.8 (1955) - Judge
1940
Breakdowns of 1939 (Short)
References
William B. Davidson Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA