William B. Davidson
Acting
Biography
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.
Notable Works
Prominent titles featuring William B. Davidson
Scarface
1932
Dishonored
1931
Filmography
Acting (249)
1994
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Heras Self (archive footage)
1975
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)
6.3
1947
The Judge Steps Outas Colonel Bright (uncredited)
6.8
1947
That Hagen Girlas Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
5.3
1947
That's My Manas Steward
6.7
1947
Dick Tracy's Dilemmaas Peter Premium
5.6
1946
The Plainsman and the Ladyas Russell
6.0
1946
My Darling Clementineas Saloon Owner (uncredited)
7.5
1946
The Cat Creepsas James Walsh
5.0
1946
Ding Dong Williamsas Mr. Saul Dana
7.5
1946
Blonde Alibias Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
4.8
1946
The Notorious Lone Wolfas Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
6.0
1945
They Were Expendableas Hotel Manager (uncredited)
6.5
1945
Sing Your Way Homeas F.T. Johnson (uncredited)
5.6
1945
Tell It to a Staras Brannigan
10.0
1945
Blonde Ransomas Police Captain
8.0
1945
Dillingeras Bank President (uncredited)
5.9
1945
Circumstantial Evidenceas Board of Appeals Chairman
5.2
1945
The Man Who Walked Aloneas Governor
5.9
1945
See My Lawyeras Judge
7.3
1944
Greenwich Villageas Dance Director
6.7
1944
In Societyas Parker
5.8
1944
Make Your Own Bedas Mr. Linklater
6.0
1944
A Night of Adventureas Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
5.0
1944
Shine on Harvest Moonas Tim Donovan (uncredited)
6.8
1944
Up in Armsas Maxwell (uncredited)
5.7
1943
Over the Wallas Warden Ed
8.0
1943
Murder on the Waterfrontas Capt. Towne
7.0
1943
The Good Fellowsas Blake
8.0
1943
Hers to Holdas Al
7.0
1943
Mission to Moscowas Senator (uncredited)
5.7
1943
Calabooseas Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
7.0
1943
Truck Bustersas Stephen S. Gray
7.0
1942
Gentleman Jimas Donovan (uncredited)
7.2
1942
Careful, Soft Shouldersas Mr. Aldrich
6.5
1942
The Magnificent Dopeas Mr. Reindel
7.3
1942
The Affairs of Marthaas Homer Jacell
6.6
1942
In This Our Lifeas Jim Purdy
6.9
1942
Larceny, Inc.as McCarthy
7.1
1942
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentineas Cyrus Ballard
6.4
1942
The Male Animalas Alumnus
4.5
1942
Over My Dead Bodyas Crole (as William Davidson)
8.0
1941
Remember the Dayas Committeeman
7.3
1941
Keep 'Em Flyingas Gonigle
6.2
1941
The Great Man's Ladyas Sen. Knobs
6.3
1941
Three Girls About Townas Labor Leader
6.5
1941
Uncle Joeas Mr. Day
7.0
1941
Week-End in Havanaas Captain Moss
7.0
1941
Sun Valley Serenadeas Jack Murray
7.1
1941
Highway Westas Gorman
6.6
1941
Hold That Ghostas Moose Matson
6.8
1941
Three Sons o' Gunsas Henry Baxter
7.0
1941
In the Navyas Capt. Richards (uncredited)
6.4
1941
Thieves Fall Outas Harrison "Harry" Eckles
6.0
1941
The Lady from Cheyenneas Nye Dunbar
5.7
1941
Man-Made Monsteras District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
6.1
1940
San Francisco Docksas Dist. Atty. Craig
7.3
1940
Charter Pilotas Mr. Wentworth
7.7
1940
A Night at Earl Carroll'sas Mayor Green of San Bernardino
4.5
1940
Lady with Red Hairas Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
6.9
1940
Tin Pan Alleyas Hotel Manager
5.4
1940
Sandy Gets Her Manas Councilman Charles J. Clark
6.5
1940
Seven Sinnersas Police Chief
6.0
1940
Hired Wifeas Mumford (as William Davidson)
6.8
1940
Marylandas John Addison
6.5
1940
My Love Came Backas Agent
4.9
1940
Sailor's Ladyas Judge Hinsdale
6.5
1940
Florianas Archduke Franz Ferdinand
4.5
1940
Girl in 313as George Grayson
5.6
1940
Lillian Russellas President Cleveland
6.6
1940
On Their Ownas Judge Bull
8.0
1940
Half a Sinneras Slick
5.3
1940
Granny Get Your Gunas Fitzgerald
5.7
1940
My Little Chickadeeas Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
6.4
1939
Invisible Stripesas Montgomery (uncredited)
6.2
1939
The Honeymoon's Overas Crane
8.0
1939
Private Detectiveas Inspector Evans
6.8
1939
Smashing the Money Ringas Warden Denby
5.8
1939
Honeymoon in Balias Store Detective
7.5
1939
Dust Be My Destinyas Work Farm Warden
6.5
1939
Hidden Poweras Foster
10.0
1939
Each Dawn I Dieas Bill Mason
6.8
1939
Indianapolis Speedwayas Duncan Martin
5.6
1939
Naughty but Niceas Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
6.8
1939
On Trialas Mr. Gray
6.1
1939
Sudden Moneyas Sam
7.0
1939
Three Smart Girls Grow Upas Stock Broker
7.2
1939
Blondie Meets the Bossas Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
5.8
1939
Tail Spinas Sales Manager (Uncredited)
6.3
1939
Blackwell's Islandas Hempel
5.5
1939
They Made Me a Criminalas Ennis
6.3
1939
Off the Recordas Scotty
6.4
1938
Illegal Trafficas Dalton
6.6
1938
There Goes My Heartas Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
7.3
1938
Mr. Doodle Kicks Offas Ellory Bugs
8.0
1938
Letter of Introductionas Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
6.0
1938
Racket Bustersas Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
5.6
1938
Cowboy from Brooklynas Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
7.0
1938
Blockadeas Commandant
5.8
1938
You and Meas N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
6.6
1938
Cocoanut Groveas Hawtrey
9.0
1938
The Jury's Secretas Page
5.0
1938
Hollywood Hotelas Director Kelton
5.8
1938
Sergeant Murphyas Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
6.0
1937
Love on Toastas Jonathan
5.8
1937
The Hurricaneas The Bully (uncredited)
6.7
1937
Something to Sing Aboutas Café Manager
6.2
1937
Behind the Mikeas Cyrus Wittles
8.0
1937
It Happened in Hollywoodas Al Howard
6.3
1937
Paradise Isleas Hoener
6.0
1937
Easy Livingas Mr. Hyde
7.2
1937
Ever Since Eveas Henderson
5.8
1937
Marry the Girlas Drake
6.5
1937
The Road Backas Bartscher
6.7
1937
Melody for Twoas Mr. Hale
7.0
1937
Let Them Liveas The Editor
8.0
1937
Marked Womanas Bob Crandall
6.6
1937
Midnight Courtas Alfred H. Kruger
5.1
1936
Gold Diggers of 1937as Andy Callahan
6.1
1936
Earthworm Tractorsas Mr. Jackson
5.4
1936
Satan Met a Ladyas City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
5.8
1936
The Big Noiseas Welford Andrews
7.5
1936
Murder by an Aristocratas Bayard Thatcher
5.0
1936
Fatal Ladyas Detective (uncredited)
10.0
1936
The Singing Kidas Barney Hammond
7.0
1936
Road Gangas Attorney General Mardsen
7.0
1936
Love on a Betas A.W. Hutchinson
7.0
1936
You May Be Next!as Official (uncredited)
4.8
1935
Dangerousas Reed Walsh
6.6
1935
Show Them No Mercy!as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
7.5
1935
In Personas Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
6.8
1935
Special Agentas Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
6.2
1935
Redheads on Paradeas Theatre Manager
9.0
1935
Woman Wantedas Collins
6.8
1935
Oil for the Lamps of Chinaas E.H. Swaley
7.2
1935
Go Into Your Danceas Tom McGee
7.2
1935
A Night at the Ritzas Connolly
6.5
1935
Straight from the Heartas Prosecuting Attorney
9.0
1935
Death Flies Eastas Police Captain Barrie
7.0
1935
Sweet Musicas Billie Madison
6.8
1935
Devil Dogs of the Airas Adjutant
6.8
1935
Bordertownas Dr. Carter
5.9
1934
The Man Who Reclaimed His Headas Charles (as William Davidson)
6.0
1934
The Secret Brideas Representative McPherson
6.2
1934
Imitation of Lifeas Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
7.0
1934
The St. Louis Kidas Joe Hunter
6.3
1934
The Dragon Murder Caseas Greeff
5.9
1934
Housewifeas Nan's Attorney
7.2
1934
Friends of Mr. Sweeneyas Stephen Prime
6.8
1934
Fog Over Friscoas Editor Joe Hogue
6.4
1934
Upperworldas City Editor (uncredited)
6.1
1934
Laughing Boyas Hartshone (as William Davidson)
3.7
1934
The Big Shakedownas District Attorney (uncredited)
5.9
1933
Lady Killeras Director Williams
6.9
1933
Femaleas Department Head (Uncredited)
6.3
1933
Meet the Baronas General Broadcasting Representative
5.3
1933
I'm No Angelas Ernest Brown
6.3
1933
Torch Singeras Jarrett
5.4
1933
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Actionas Himself
10.0
1933
The Intruderas Det. Lt. Samson
4.6
1933
Dangerously Yoursas George Carr
7.0
1933
Mystery of the Wax Museumas Detective (Uncredited)
6.5
1933
Hello, Everybody!as Mr. Parker
7.0
1933
The Billion Dollar Scandalas Jim Lawrence
1932
The Animal Kingdomas Chess Player (uncredited)
5.6
1932
Central Parkas Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
5.8
1932
Guilty or Not Guiltyas Chief
7.0
1932
The Sport Paradeas Kendricks (uncredited)
5.3
1932
The Pride of the Legionas Sgt. Arnold
7.0
1932
Her Mad Nightas District Attorney
3.8
1932
The Most Dangerous Gameas Captain
6.9
1932
The Thirteenth Guestas Police Captain Brown (uncredited)
5.2
1932
Is My Face Red?as O'Sullivan
5.0
1932
Scarfaceas Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
7.4
1932
The Lost Squadronas Lelewer
6.5
1932
Sky Devilsas Captain
5.0
1932
The Menaceas John Utterson
5.6
1931
Half Holidayas Jerry - Andy's Pal
8.0
1931
Graftas M.H. Thomas
5.0
1931
The Secret Callas Jim Blake
7.7
1931
The Vice Squadas Magistrate Tom Morrison
6.8
5.4
1931
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'as Himself - Golfer
7.5
1931
7.0
1931
Captain Applejackas Bill Dennett
7.3
1931
No Limitas Wilkie
6.0
1930
Hook, Line and Sinkeras Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
5.6
1930
Oh, for a Man!as Kerry Stokes
6.2
1930
Hell's Angelsas Staff Major
6.6
1930
Sunnyas First Ship's Officer
6.3
1930
The Silver Hordeas Tom Hilliard
5.6
1930
Playboy of Parisas Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
7.0
1930
The Costello Caseas Saunders
8.0
1930
Scarlet Pagesas Jackson
7.0
1930
For the Defenseas Dist. Atty. Stone
5.7
1930
A Man from Wyomingas Major
8.0
1930
Men Are Like Thatas Frank Hyland
8.5
1929
Blaze o' Gloryas District Attorney (as William Davidson)
7.0
1929
Always Faithfulas George W. Mason
9.0
1929
Woman Trapas Watts
5.3
1929
Queen of the Night Clubsas Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
8.0
1929
The Carnation Kidas Blythe
10.0
1928
7.0
1928
Good Morning, Judgeas Elton (as William Davidson)
8.0
1927
A Gentleman of Parisas Henri Dufour
8.0
1927
Cradle Snatchersas Roy Ladd
3.8
1927
The Last Trailas Kurt Morley
9.0
1925
Hearts and Spursas Victor Dufresne
10.0
1925
Recompenseas Col. Donovan
8.0
1925
Women and Goldas Señor Ortego
9.0
1925
Ports of Callas Randolph Sherman
7.0
1924
The Valley of Doubtas Macy
8.0
1924
The Storm Daughteras Rennert
9.0
1923
Adam and Evaas Dr. Delamater
8.0
1922
6.3
1921
Nobodyas John Rossmore
7.0
1921
The Girl from Nowhereas Jimmy Ryder
10.0
1920
Partners of the Nightas Robert Clifford
10.0
1919
The Capitolas Congressman Blake
1919
Lure of Ambitionas Hon. Cyril Ralston
10.0
1919
Impossible Catherineas John Henry Jackson
7.0
1919
La belle Russeas Brand
1919
A Woman There Wasas Rev. Winthrop Stark
8.0
1919
The Gold Cureas Michael Darcy
7.0
1918
Why I Would Not Marryas Undetermined Role
1918
In Pursuit of Pollyas Larry O'Malley
7.5
1918
1918
Friend Husbandas John Sparr
1918
Our Little Wifeas Dr. Elliott
1917
Her Second Husbandas John Kirby
8.0
1917
American Maidas David Starr
7.0
1917
Persuasive Peggyas Ed Trowbridge
1917
More Truth Than Poetryas Allen Danby
1917
The Lifted Veilas Malcolm Grant
1.0
1917
The Greatest Poweras John Conrad
1917
Lady Barnacleas Krishna Dhwaj
1917
The Call of Her Peopleas Nicholas Van Kleet
1917
A Magdalene of the Hillsas Bud Weaver
10.0
1917
Mary Lawson's Secretas Dr. Brundage
8.0
1917
The White Ravenas The Stranger
5.5
1916
In the Diplomatic Serviceas Lynn Hardi
1916
The Pretendersas Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
9.0
1916
The Child of Destinyas Calvin Baker
10.0
1916
Dorian's Divorceas Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
7.0
1916
The Price of Maliceas Capt. Mills
1916
Her Debt of Honoras John Hartfield
1915
A Yellow Streakas Jack Rader
1915
For the Honor of the Crewas Robert Brent