William B. Davidson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William B. Davidson (June 16, 1888 – 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.
Filmography
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
as Self (archive footage)
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
as Self (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
as Self (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
as Self (archive footage)
The Judge Steps Out
as Colonel Bright (uncredited)
The Judge Steps Out
as Colonel Bright (uncredited)
That Hagen Girl
as Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
That Hagen Girl
as Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
That's My Man
as Steward
That's My Man
as Steward
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
as Peter Premium
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
as Peter Premium
The Plainsman and the Lady
as Russell
The Plainsman and the Lady
as Russell
My Darling Clementine
as Saloon Owner (uncredited)
My Darling Clementine
as Saloon Owner (uncredited)
The Cat Creeps
as James Walsh
The Cat Creeps
as James Walsh
Ding Dong Williams
as Mr. Saul Dana
Ding Dong Williams
as Mr. Saul Dana
Blonde Alibi
as Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
Blonde Alibi
as Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
The Notorious Lone Wolf
as Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
The Notorious Lone Wolf
as Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
They Were Expendable
as Hotel Manager (uncredited)
They Were Expendable
as Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Sing Your Way Home
as F.T. Johnson (uncredited)
Sing Your Way Home
as F.T. Johnson (uncredited)
Tell It to a Star
as Brannigan
Tell It to a Star
as Brannigan
Blonde Ransom
as Police Captain
Blonde Ransom
as Police Captain
Dillinger
as Bank President (uncredited)
Dillinger
as Bank President (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
as Board of Appeals Chairman
Circumstantial Evidence
as Board of Appeals Chairman
The Man Who Walked Alone
as Governor
The Man Who Walked Alone
as Governor
See My Lawyer
as Judge
See My Lawyer
as Judge
Greenwich Village
as Dance Director
Greenwich Village
as Dance Director
In Society
as Parker
In Society
as Parker
Make Your Own Bed
as Mr. Linklater
Make Your Own Bed
as Mr. Linklater
A Night of Adventure
as Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
A Night of Adventure
as Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
Shine on Harvest Moon
as Tim Donovan (uncredited)
Shine on Harvest Moon
as Tim Donovan (uncredited)
Up in Arms
as Maxwell (uncredited)
Up in Arms
as Maxwell (uncredited)
Over the Wall
as Warden Ed
Over the Wall
as Warden Ed
Murder on the Waterfront
as Capt. Towne
Murder on the Waterfront
as Capt. Towne
The Good Fellows
as Blake
The Good Fellows
as Blake
Hers to Hold
as Al
Hers to Hold
as Al
Mission to Moscow
as Senator (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
as Senator (uncredited)
Calaboose
as Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
Calaboose
as Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
Truck Busters
as Stephen S. Gray
Truck Busters
as Stephen S. Gray
Gentleman Jim
as Donovan (uncredited)
Gentleman Jim
as Donovan (uncredited)
Careful, Soft Shoulders
as Mr. Aldrich
Careful, Soft Shoulders
as Mr. Aldrich
The Magnificent Dope
as Mr. Reindel
The Magnificent Dope
as Mr. Reindel
The Affairs of Martha
as Homer Jacell
The Affairs of Martha
as Homer Jacell
In This Our Life
as Jim Purdy
In This Our Life
as Jim Purdy
Larceny, Inc.
as McCarthy
Larceny, Inc.
as McCarthy
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
as Cyrus Ballard
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
as Cyrus Ballard
The Male Animal
as Alumnus
The Male Animal
as Alumnus
Over My Dead Body
as Crole (as William Davidson)
Over My Dead Body
as Crole (as William Davidson)
Remember the Day
as Committeeman
Remember the Day
as Committeeman
Keep 'Em Flying
as Gonigle
Keep 'Em Flying
as Gonigle
The Great Man's Lady
as Sen. Knobs
The Great Man's Lady
as Sen. Knobs
Three Girls About Town
as Labor Leader
Three Girls About Town
as Labor Leader
Uncle Joe
as Mr. Day
Uncle Joe
as Mr. Day
Week-End in Havana
as Captain Moss
Week-End in Havana
as Captain Moss
Sun Valley Serenade
as Jack Murray
Sun Valley Serenade
as Jack Murray
Highway West
as Gorman
Highway West
as Gorman
Hold That Ghost
as Moose Matson
Hold That Ghost
as Moose Matson
Three Sons o' Guns
as Henry Baxter
Three Sons o' Guns
as Henry Baxter
In the Navy
as Capt. Richards (uncredited)
In the Navy
as Capt. Richards (uncredited)
Thieves Fall Out
as Harrison "Harry" Eckles
Thieves Fall Out
as Harrison "Harry" Eckles
The Lady from Cheyenne
as Nye Dunbar
The Lady from Cheyenne
as Nye Dunbar
Man-Made Monster
as District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
Man-Made Monster
as District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
San Francisco Docks
as Dist. Atty. Craig
San Francisco Docks
as Dist. Atty. Craig
Charter Pilot
as Mr. Wentworth
Charter Pilot
as Mr. Wentworth
A Night at Earl Carroll's
as Mayor Green of San Bernardino
A Night at Earl Carroll's
as Mayor Green of San Bernardino
Lady with Red Hair
as Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
Lady with Red Hair
as Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
as Hotel Manager
Tin Pan Alley
as Hotel Manager
Sandy Gets Her Man
as Councilman Charles J. Clark
Sandy Gets Her Man
as Councilman Charles J. Clark
Seven Sinners
as Police Chief
Seven Sinners
as Police Chief
Hired Wife
as Mumford (as William Davidson)
Hired Wife
as Mumford (as William Davidson)
Maryland
as John Addison
Maryland
as John Addison
My Love Came Back
as Agent
My Love Came Back
as Agent
Sailor's Lady
as Judge Hinsdale
Sailor's Lady
as Judge Hinsdale
Florian
as Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Florian
as Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Girl in 313
as George Grayson
Girl in 313
as George Grayson
Lillian Russell
as President Cleveland
Lillian Russell
as President Cleveland
On Their Own
as Judge Bull
On Their Own
as Judge Bull
Half a Sinner
as Slick
Half a Sinner
as Slick
Granny Get Your Gun
as Fitzgerald
Granny Get Your Gun
as Fitzgerald
My Little Chickadee
as Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
My Little Chickadee
as Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
Invisible Stripes
as Montgomery (uncredited)
Invisible Stripes
as Montgomery (uncredited)
The Honeymoon's Over
as Crane
The Honeymoon's Over
as Crane
Private Detective
as Inspector Evans
Private Detective
as Inspector Evans
Smashing the Money Ring
as Warden Denby
Smashing the Money Ring
as Warden Denby
Honeymoon in Bali
as Store Detective
Honeymoon in Bali
as Store Detective
Dust Be My Destiny
as Work Farm Warden
Dust Be My Destiny
as Work Farm Warden
Hidden Power
as Foster
Hidden Power
as Foster
Each Dawn I Die
as Bill Mason
Each Dawn I Die
as Bill Mason
Indianapolis Speedway
as Duncan Martin
Indianapolis Speedway
as Duncan Martin
Naughty but Nice
as Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
Naughty but Nice
as Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
On Trial
as Mr. Gray
On Trial
as Mr. Gray
Sudden Money
as Sam
Sudden Money
as Sam
Three Smart Girls Grow Up
as Stock Broker
Three Smart Girls Grow Up
as Stock Broker
Blondie Meets the Boss
as Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
Blondie Meets the Boss
as Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
Tail Spin
as Sales Manager (Uncredited)
Tail Spin
as Sales Manager (Uncredited)
Blackwell's Island
as Hempel
Blackwell's Island
as Hempel
They Made Me a Criminal
as Ennis
They Made Me a Criminal
as Ennis
Off the Record
as Scotty
Off the Record
as Scotty
Illegal Traffic
as Dalton
Illegal Traffic
as Dalton
There Goes My Heart
as Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
There Goes My Heart
as Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
as Ellory Bugs
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
as Ellory Bugs
Letter of Introduction
as Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
Letter of Introduction
as Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
Racket Busters
as Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
Racket Busters
as Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
Cowboy from Brooklyn
as Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
Cowboy from Brooklyn
as Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
Blockade
as Commandant
Blockade
as Commandant
You and Me
as N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
You and Me
as N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
Cocoanut Grove
as Hawtrey
Cocoanut Grove
as Hawtrey
The Jury's Secret
as Page
The Jury's Secret
as Page
Hollywood Hotel
as Director Kelton
Hollywood Hotel
as Director Kelton
Sergeant Murphy
as Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
Sergeant Murphy
as Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
Love on Toast
as Jonathan
Love on Toast
as Jonathan
The Hurricane
as The Bully (uncredited)
The Hurricane
as The Bully (uncredited)
Something to Sing About
as Café Manager
Something to Sing About
as Café Manager
Behind the Mike
as Cyrus Wittles
Behind the Mike
as Cyrus Wittles
It Happened in Hollywood
as Al Howard
It Happened in Hollywood
as Al Howard
Paradise Isle
as Hoener
Paradise Isle
as Hoener
Easy Living
as Mr. Hyde
Easy Living
as Mr. Hyde
Ever Since Eve
as Henderson
Ever Since Eve
as Henderson
Marry the Girl
as Drake
Marry the Girl
as Drake
The Road Back
as Bartscher
The Road Back
as Bartscher
Melody for Two
as Mr. Hale
Melody for Two
as Mr. Hale
Let Them Live
as The Editor
Let Them Live
as The Editor
Marked Woman
as Bob Crandall
Marked Woman
as Bob Crandall
Midnight Court
as Alfred H. Kruger
Midnight Court
as Alfred H. Kruger
Gold Diggers of 1937
as Andy Callahan
Gold Diggers of 1937
as Andy Callahan
Earthworm Tractors
as Mr. Jackson
Earthworm Tractors
as Mr. Jackson
Satan Met a Lady
as City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
Satan Met a Lady
as City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
The Big Noise
as Welford Andrews
The Big Noise
as Welford Andrews
Murder by an Aristocrat
as Bayard Thatcher
Murder by an Aristocrat
as Bayard Thatcher
Fatal Lady
as Detective (uncredited)
Fatal Lady
as Detective (uncredited)
The Singing Kid
as Barney Hammond
The Singing Kid
as Barney Hammond
Road Gang
as Attorney General Mardsen
Road Gang
as Attorney General Mardsen
Love on a Bet
as A.W. Hutchinson
Love on a Bet
as A.W. Hutchinson
You May Be Next!
as Official (uncredited)
You May Be Next!
as Official (uncredited)
Dangerous
as Reed Walsh
Dangerous
as Reed Walsh
Show Them No Mercy!
as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
Show Them No Mercy!
as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
In Person
as Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
In Person
as Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
Special Agent
as Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
Special Agent
as Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
Redheads on Parade
as Theatre Manager
Redheads on Parade
as Theatre Manager
Woman Wanted
as Collins
Woman Wanted
as Collins
Oil for the Lamps of China
as E.H. Swaley
Oil for the Lamps of China
as E.H. Swaley
Go Into Your Dance
as Tom McGee
Go Into Your Dance
as Tom McGee
A Night at the Ritz
as Connolly
A Night at the Ritz
as Connolly
Straight from the Heart
as Prosecuting Attorney
Straight from the Heart
as Prosecuting Attorney
Death Flies East
as Police Captain Barrie
Death Flies East
as Police Captain Barrie
Sweet Music
as Billie Madison
Sweet Music
as Billie Madison
Devil Dogs of the Air
as Adjutant
Devil Dogs of the Air
as Adjutant
Bordertown
as Dr. Carter
Bordertown
as Dr. Carter
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
as Charles (as William Davidson)
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
as Charles (as William Davidson)
The Secret Bride
as Representative McPherson
The Secret Bride
as Representative McPherson
Imitation of Life
as Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
as Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
The St. Louis Kid
as Joe Hunter
The St. Louis Kid
as Joe Hunter
The Dragon Murder Case
as Greeff
The Dragon Murder Case
as Greeff
Housewife
as Nan's Attorney
Housewife
as Nan's Attorney
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
as Stephen Prime
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
as Stephen Prime
Fog Over Frisco
as Editor Joe Hogue
Fog Over Frisco
as Editor Joe Hogue
Upperworld
as City Editor (uncredited)
Upperworld
as City Editor (uncredited)
Laughing Boy
as Hartshone (as William Davidson)
Laughing Boy
as Hartshone (as William Davidson)
The Big Shakedown
as District Attorney (uncredited)
The Big Shakedown
as District Attorney (uncredited)
Lady Killer
as Director Williams
Lady Killer
as Director Williams
Female
as Department Head (Uncredited)
Female
as Department Head (Uncredited)
Meet the Baron
as General Broadcasting Representative
Meet the Baron
as General Broadcasting Representative
I'm No Angel
as Ernest Brown
I'm No Angel
as Ernest Brown
Torch Singer
as Jarrett
Torch Singer
as Jarrett
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action
as Himself
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action
as Himself
The Intruder
as Det. Lt. Samson
The Intruder
as Det. Lt. Samson
Dangerously Yours
as George Carr
Dangerously Yours
as George Carr
Mystery of the Wax Museum
as Detective (Uncredited)
Mystery of the Wax Museum
as Detective (Uncredited)
Hello, Everybody!
as Mr. Parker
Hello, Everybody!
as Mr. Parker
The Billion Dollar Scandal
as Jim Lawrence
The Billion Dollar Scandal
as Jim Lawrence
The Animal Kingdom
as Chess Player (uncredited)
The Animal Kingdom
as Chess Player (uncredited)
Central Park
as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
Central Park
as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
Guilty or Not Guilty
as Chief
Guilty or Not Guilty
as Chief
The Sport Parade
as Kendricks (uncredited)
The Sport Parade
as Kendricks (uncredited)
The Pride of the Legion
as Sgt. Arnold
The Pride of the Legion
as Sgt. Arnold
Her Mad Night
as District Attorney
Her Mad Night
as District Attorney
The Most Dangerous Game
as Captain
The Most Dangerous Game
as Captain
The Thirteenth Guest
as Police Captain Brown (uncredited)
The Thirteenth Guest
as Police Captain Brown (uncredited)
Is My Face Red?
as O'Sullivan
Is My Face Red?
as O'Sullivan
Scarface
as Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
Scarface
as Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
The Lost Squadron
as Lelewer
The Lost Squadron
as Lelewer
Sky Devils
as Captain
Sky Devils
as Captain
The Menace
as John Utterson
The Menace
as John Utterson
Half Holiday
as Jerry - Andy's Pal
Half Holiday
as Jerry - Andy's Pal
Graft
as M.H. Thomas
Graft
as M.H. Thomas
The Secret Call
as Jim Blake
The Secret Call
as Jim Blake
The Vice Squad
as Magistrate Tom Morrison
The Vice Squad
as Magistrate Tom Morrison
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'
as Himself - Golfer
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'
as Himself - Golfer
Dishonored
Dishonored
Captain Applejack
as Bill Dennett
Captain Applejack
as Bill Dennett
No Limit
as Wilkie
No Limit
as Wilkie
Hook, Line and Sinker
as Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
Hook, Line and Sinker
as Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
Oh, for a Man!
as Kerry Stokes
Oh, for a Man!
as Kerry Stokes
Hell's Angels
as Staff Major
Hell's Angels
as Staff Major
Sunny
as First Ship's Officer
Sunny
as First Ship's Officer
The Silver Horde
as Tom Hilliard
The Silver Horde
as Tom Hilliard
Playboy of Paris
as Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
Playboy of Paris
as Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
The Costello Case
as Saunders
The Costello Case
as Saunders
Scarlet Pages
as Jackson
Scarlet Pages
as Jackson
For the Defense
as Dist. Atty. Stone
For the Defense
as Dist. Atty. Stone
A Man from Wyoming
as Major
A Man from Wyoming
as Major
Men Are Like That
as Frank Hyland
Men Are Like That
as Frank Hyland
Blaze o' Glory
as District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Blaze o' Glory
as District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Always Faithful
as George W. Mason
Always Faithful
as George W. Mason
Woman Trap
as Watts
Woman Trap
as Watts
Queen of the Night Clubs
as Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Queen of the Night Clubs
as Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
The Carnation Kid
as Blythe
The Carnation Kid
as Blythe
Good Morning, Judge
as Elton (as William Davidson)
Good Morning, Judge
as Elton (as William Davidson)
A Gentleman of Paris
as Henri Dufour
A Gentleman of Paris
as Henri Dufour
The Last Trail
as Kurt Morley
The Last Trail
as Kurt Morley
Hearts and Spurs
as Victor Dufresne
Hearts and Spurs
as Victor Dufresne
Women and Gold
as Señor Ortego
Women and Gold
as Señor Ortego
The Valley of Doubt
as Macy
The Valley of Doubt
as Macy
The Storm Daughter
as Rennert
The Storm Daughter
as Rennert
Nobody
as John Rossmore
Nobody
as John Rossmore
The Capitol
as Congressman Blake
The Capitol
as Congressman Blake
Lure of Ambition
as Hon. Cyril Ralston
Lure of Ambition
as Hon. Cyril Ralston
Impossible Catherine
as John Henry Jackson
Impossible Catherine
as John Henry Jackson
In Pursuit of Polly
as Larry O'Malley
In Pursuit of Polly
as Larry O'Malley
The Lifted Veil
as Malcolm Grant
The Lifted Veil
as Malcolm Grant
The Greatest Power
as John Conrad
The Greatest Power
as John Conrad
The Call of Her People
as Nicholas Van Kleet
The Call of Her People
as Nicholas Van Kleet
Mary Lawson's Secret
as Dr. Brundage
Mary Lawson's Secret
as Dr. Brundage
The White Raven
as The Stranger
The White Raven
as The Stranger
The Pretenders
as Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
The Pretenders
as Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
For the Honor of the Crew
as Robert Brent
For the Honor of the Crew
as Robert Brent