Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
June 15, 1888
Died
September 28, 1947 (age 59)
Place of Birth
Dobbs Ferry, New York, USA
Also Known As
Wm. B. Davidson
Wm. Davidson
William Davidson
Bill Davidson
William Beatman Davidson
William B. Davidson
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.
Uncle Joe
VideoKnown For
TV
MGM Parade
1955
Film
Scarface
Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
1932
Film
My Darling Clementine
Saloon Owner (uncredited)
1946
Film
The Most Dangerous Game
Captain
1932
Film
Mystery of the Wax Museum
Detective (Uncredited)
1933
Film
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
Peter Premium
1947
Film
They Were Expendable
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
1945
Film
Hell's Angels
Staff Major
1930
Film
Hold That Ghost
Moose Matson
1941
Film
Death Flies East
Police Captain Barrie
1935
Film
I'm No Angel
Ernest Brown
1933
Film
Easy Living
Mr. Hyde
1937
Film
In This Our Life
Jim Purdy
1942
Film
Invisible Stripes
Montgomery (uncredited)
1939
Film
They Made Me a Criminal
Ennis
1939
Film
Satan Met a Lady
City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
1936
Film
Each Dawn I Die
Bill Mason
1939
Film
Keep 'Em Flying
Gonigle
1941
Film
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Self (archive footage)
1975
Film
Gentleman Jim
Donovan (uncredited)
1942
Filmography
1994FilmMae West and the Men Who Knew Heras Self (archive footage)1975FilmBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)1955TVMGM Parade1947FilmThe Judge Steps Outas Colonel Bright (uncredited)1947FilmThat Hagen Girlas Mr. Bowman (uncredited)1947FilmThat's My Manas Steward1947FilmDick Tracy's Dilemmaas Peter Premium1946FilmThe Plainsman and the Ladyas Russell1946FilmMy Darling Clementineas Saloon Owner (uncredited)1946FilmThe Cat Creepsas James Walsh1946FilmDing Dong Williamsas Mr. Saul Dana1946FilmBlonde Alibias Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)1946FilmThe Notorious Lone Wolfas Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)1945FilmThey Were Expendableas Hotel Manager (uncredited)1945FilmSing Your Way Homeas F.T. Johnson (uncredited)1945FilmTell It to a Staras Brannigan1945FilmBlonde Ransomas Police Captain1945FilmDillingeras Bank President (uncredited)1945FilmCircumstantial Evidenceas Board of Appeals Chairman1945FilmThe Man Who Walked Aloneas Governor1945FilmSee My Lawyeras Judge1944FilmGreenwich Villageas Dance Director1944FilmIn Societyas Parker1944FilmMake Your Own Bedas Mr. Linklater1944FilmA Night of Adventureas Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)1944FilmShine on Harvest Moonas Tim Donovan (uncredited)1944FilmUp in Armsas Maxwell (uncredited)1943FilmOver the Wallas Warden Ed1943FilmMurder on the Waterfrontas Capt. Towne1943FilmThe Good Fellowsas Blake1943FilmHers to Holdas Al1943FilmMission to Moscowas Senator (uncredited)1943FilmCalabooseas Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)1943FilmTruck Bustersas Stephen S. Gray1942FilmGentleman Jimas Donovan (uncredited)1942FilmCareful, Soft Shouldersas Mr. Aldrich1942FilmThe Magnificent Dopeas Mr. Reindel1942FilmThe Affairs of Marthaas Homer Jacell1942FilmIn This Our Lifeas Jim Purdy1942FilmLarceny, Inc.as McCarthy1942FilmThe Affairs of Jimmy Valentineas Cyrus Ballard1942FilmThe Male Animalas Alumnus1942FilmOver My Dead Bodyas Crole (as William Davidson)1941FilmRemember the Dayas Committeeman1941FilmKeep 'Em Flyingas Gonigle1941FilmThe Great Man's Ladyas Sen. Knobs1941FilmThree Girls About Townas Labor Leader1941FilmUncle Joeas Mr. Day1941FilmWeek-End in Havanaas Captain Moss1941FilmSun Valley Serenadeas Jack Murray1941FilmHighway Westas Gorman1941FilmHold That Ghostas Moose Matson1941FilmThree Sons o' Gunsas Henry Baxter1941FilmIn the Navyas Capt. Richards (uncredited)1941FilmThieves Fall Outas Harrison "Harry" Eckles1941FilmThe Lady from Cheyenneas Nye Dunbar1941FilmMan-Made Monsteras District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley1940FilmSan Francisco Docksas Dist. Atty. Craig1940FilmCharter Pilotas Mr. Wentworth1940FilmA Night at Earl Carroll'sas Mayor Green of San Bernardino1940FilmLady with Red Hairas Stock Company Manager (uncredited)1940FilmTin Pan Alleyas Hotel Manager1940FilmSandy Gets Her Manas Councilman Charles J. Clark1940FilmSeven Sinnersas Police Chief1940FilmHired Wifeas Mumford (as William Davidson)1940FilmMarylandas John Addison1940FilmMy Love Came Backas Agent1940FilmSailor's Ladyas Judge Hinsdale1940FilmFlorianas Archduke Franz Ferdinand1940FilmGirl in 313as George Grayson1940FilmLillian Russellas President Cleveland1940FilmOn Their Ownas Judge Bull1940FilmHalf a Sinneras Slick1940FilmGranny Get Your Gunas Fitzgerald1940FilmMy Little Chickadeeas Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)1939FilmInvisible Stripesas Montgomery (uncredited)1939FilmThe Honeymoon's Overas Crane1939FilmPrivate Detectiveas Inspector Evans1939FilmSmashing the Money Ringas Warden Denby1939FilmHoneymoon in Balias Store Detective1939FilmDust Be My Destinyas Work Farm Warden1939FilmHidden Poweras Foster1939FilmEach Dawn I Dieas Bill Mason1939FilmIndianapolis Speedwayas Duncan Martin1939FilmNaughty but Niceas Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher1939FilmOn Trialas Mr. Gray1939FilmSudden Moneyas Sam1939FilmThree Smart Girls Grow Upas Stock Broker1939FilmBlondie Meets the Bossas Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)1939FilmTail Spinas Sales Manager (Uncredited)1939FilmBlackwell's Islandas Hempel1939FilmThey Made Me a Criminalas Ennis1939FilmOff the Recordas Scotty1938FilmIllegal Trafficas Dalton1938FilmThere Goes My Heartas Skipper Jackson (uncredited)1938FilmMr. Doodle Kicks Offas Ellory Bugs1938FilmLetter of Introductionas Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)1938FilmRacket Bustersas Trucking Chairman (uncredited)1938FilmCowboy from Brooklynas Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey1938FilmBlockadeas Commandant1938FilmYou and Meas N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)1938FilmCocoanut Groveas Hawtrey1938FilmThe Jury's Secretas Page1938FilmHollywood Hotelas Director Kelton1938FilmSergeant Murphyas Maj. Gruff (uncredited)1937FilmLove on Toastas Jonathan1937FilmThe Hurricaneas The Bully (uncredited)1937FilmSomething to Sing Aboutas Café Manager1937FilmBehind the Mikeas Cyrus Wittles1937FilmIt Happened in Hollywoodas Al Howard1937FilmParadise Isleas Hoener1937FilmEasy Livingas Mr. Hyde1937FilmEver Since Eveas Henderson1937FilmMarry the Girlas Drake1937FilmThe Road Backas Bartscher1937FilmMelody for Twoas Mr. Hale1937FilmLet Them Liveas The Editor1937FilmMarked Womanas Bob Crandall1937FilmMidnight Courtas Alfred H. Kruger1936FilmGold Diggers of 1937as Andy Callahan1936FilmEarthworm Tractorsas Mr. Jackson1936FilmSatan Met a Ladyas City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)1936FilmThe Big Noiseas Welford Andrews1936FilmMurder by an Aristocratas Bayard Thatcher1936FilmFatal Ladyas Detective (uncredited)1936FilmThe Singing Kidas Barney Hammond1936FilmRoad Gangas Attorney General Mardsen1936FilmLove on a Betas A.W. Hutchinson1936FilmYou May Be Next!as Official (uncredited)1935FilmDangerousas Reed Walsh1935FilmShow Them No Mercy!as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)1935FilmIn Personas Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)1935FilmSpecial Agentas Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer1935FilmRedheads on Paradeas Theatre Manager1935FilmWoman Wantedas Collins1935FilmOil for the Lamps of Chinaas E.H. Swaley1935FilmGo Into Your Danceas Tom McGee1935FilmA Night at the Ritzas Connolly1935FilmStraight from the Heartas Prosecuting Attorney1935FilmDeath Flies Eastas Police Captain Barrie1935FilmSweet Musicas Billie Madison1935FilmDevil Dogs of the Airas Adjutant1935FilmBordertownas Dr. Carter1934FilmThe Man Who Reclaimed His Headas Charles (as William Davidson)1934FilmThe Secret Brideas Representative McPherson1934FilmImitation of Lifeas Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)1934FilmThe St. Louis Kidas Joe Hunter1934FilmThe Dragon Murder Caseas Greeff1934FilmHousewifeas Nan's Attorney1934FilmFriends of Mr. Sweeneyas Stephen Prime1934FilmFog Over Friscoas Editor Joe Hogue1934FilmUpperworldas City Editor (uncredited)1934FilmLaughing Boyas Hartshone (as William Davidson)1934FilmThe Big Shakedownas District Attorney (uncredited)1933FilmLady Killeras Director Williams1933FilmFemaleas Department Head (Uncredited)1933FilmMeet the Baronas General Broadcasting Representative1933FilmI'm No Angelas Ernest Brown1933FilmTorch Singeras Jarrett1933FilmHow to Break 90 #3: Hip Actionas Himself1933FilmThe Intruderas Det. Lt. Samson1933FilmDangerously Yoursas George Carr1933FilmMystery of the Wax Museumas Detective (Uncredited)1933FilmHello, Everybody!as Mr. Parker1933FilmThe Billion Dollar Scandalas Jim Lawrence1932FilmThe Animal Kingdomas Chess Player (uncredited)1932FilmCentral Parkas Police Lieutenant (uncredited)1932FilmGuilty or Not Guiltyas Chief1932FilmThe Sport Paradeas Kendricks (uncredited)1932FilmThe Pride of the Legionas Sgt. Arnold1932FilmHer Mad Nightas District Attorney1932FilmThe Most Dangerous Gameas Captain1932FilmThe Thirteenth Guestas Police Captain Brown (uncredited)1932FilmIs My Face Red?as O'Sullivan1932FilmScarfaceas Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)1932FilmThe Lost Squadronas Lelewer1932FilmSky Devilsas Captain1932FilmThe Menaceas John Utterson1931FilmHalf Holidayas Jerry - Andy's Pal1931FilmGraftas M.H. Thomas1931FilmThe Secret Callas Jim Blake1931FilmThe Vice Squadas Magistrate Tom Morrison1931FilmWindy Riley Goes Hollywood1931FilmHow I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'as Himself - Golfer1931FilmDishonored1931FilmCaptain Applejackas Bill Dennett1931FilmNo Limitas Wilkie1930FilmHook, Line and Sinkeras Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)1930FilmOh, for a Man!as Kerry Stokes1930FilmHell's Angelsas Staff Major1930FilmSunnyas First Ship's Officer1930FilmThe Silver Hordeas Tom Hilliard1930FilmPlayboy of Parisas Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)1930FilmThe Costello Caseas Saunders1930FilmScarlet Pagesas Jackson1930FilmFor the Defenseas Dist. Atty. Stone1930FilmA Man from Wyomingas Major1930FilmMen Are Like Thatas Frank Hyland1929FilmBlaze o' Gloryas District Attorney (as William Davidson)1929FilmAlways Faithfulas George W. Mason1929FilmWoman Trapas Watts1929FilmQueen of the Night Clubsas Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)1929FilmThe Carnation Kidas Blythe1928FilmSharp Tools1928FilmGood Morning, Judgeas Elton (as William Davidson)1927FilmA Gentleman of Parisas Henri Dufour1927FilmCradle Snatchersas Roy Ladd1927FilmThe Last Trailas Kurt Morley1925FilmHearts and Spursas Victor Dufresne1925FilmRecompenseas Col. Donovan1925FilmWomen and Goldas Señor Ortego1925FilmPorts of Callas Randolph Sherman1924FilmThe Valley of Doubtas Macy1924FilmThe Storm Daughteras Rennert1923FilmAdam and Evaas Dr. Delamater1922FilmThe Dumb-Bell1921FilmNobodyas John Rossmore1921FilmThe Girl from Nowhereas Jimmy Ryder1920FilmPartners of the Nightas Robert Clifford1919FilmThe Capitolas Congressman Blake1919FilmLure of Ambitionas Hon. Cyril Ralston1919FilmImpossible Catherineas John Henry Jackson1919FilmLa belle Russeas Brand1919FilmA Woman There Wasas Rev. Winthrop Stark1919FilmThe Gold Cureas Michael Darcy1918FilmWhy I Would Not Marryas Undetermined Role1918FilmIn Pursuit of Pollyas Larry O'Malley1918FilmAshes of Love1918FilmFriend Husbandas John Sparr1918FilmOur Little Wifeas Dr. Elliott1917FilmHer Second Husbandas John Kirby1917FilmAmerican Maidas David Starr1917FilmPersuasive Peggyas Ed Trowbridge1917FilmMore Truth Than Poetryas Allen Danby1917FilmThe Lifted Veilas Malcolm Grant1917FilmThe Greatest Poweras John Conrad1917FilmLady Barnacleas Krishna Dhwaj1917FilmThe Call of Her Peopleas Nicholas Van Kleet1917FilmA Magdalene of the Hillsas Bud Weaver1917FilmMary Lawson's Secretas Dr. Brundage1917FilmThe White Ravenas The Stranger1917FilmA Modern Cinderella1916FilmIn the Diplomatic Serviceas Lynn Hardi1916FilmThe Pretendersas Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)1916FilmThe Child of Destinyas Calvin Baker1916FilmDorian's Divorceas Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)1916FilmThe Price of Maliceas Capt. Mills1916FilmHer Debt of Honoras John Hartfield1915FilmA Yellow Streakas Jack Rader1915FilmFor the Honor of the Crewas Robert Brent