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.
Known For
Scarface
(1932)
Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
My Darling Clementine
(1946)
Saloon Owner (uncredited)
Sweet Music
(1935)
Billie Madison
In This Our Life
(1942)
Jim Purdy
Gentleman Jim
(1942)
Donovan (uncredited)
Marked Woman
(1937)
Bob Crandall
Hell's Angels
(1930)
Staff Major
The Most Dangerous Game
(1932)
Captain (uncredited)
They Were Expendable
(1945)
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
(1941)
Moose Matson
Invisible Stripes
(1939)
Montgomery (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
(1934)
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
Dishonored
(1931)
Mission to Moscow
(1943)
Senator (uncredited)
Mystery of the Wax Museum
(1933)
Detective (Uncredited)
Upperworld
(1934)
City Editor (uncredited)
Full Filmography
Acting
A Yellow Streak
(1915)
Jack Rader
For the Honor of the Crew
(1915)
Robert Brent
Dorian's Divorce
(1916)
Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
The Pretenders
(1916)
Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
Her Debt of Honor
(1916)
John Hartfield
In the Diplomatic Service
(1916)
Lynn Hardi
The Price of Malice
(1916)
Capt. Mills
Mary Lawson's Secret
(1917)
Dr. Brundage
The White Raven
(1917)
The Stranger
The Call of Her People
(1917)
Nicholas Van Kleet
The Greatest Power
(1917)
John Conrad
The Lifted Veil
(1917)
Malcolm Grant
A Modern Cinderella
(1917)
Why I Would Not Marry
(1918)
Undetermined Role
In Pursuit of Polly
(1918)
Larry O'Malley
A Woman There Was
(1919)
Rev. Winthrop Stark
Impossible Catherine
(1919)
John Henry Jackson
The Capitol
(1919)
Congressman Blake
La belle Russe
(1919)
Brand
Lure of Ambition
(1919)
Hon. Cyril Ralston
Partners of the Night
(1920)
Robert Clifford
The Girl from Nowhere
(1921)
The Dumb-Bell
(1922)
Adam and Eva
(1923)
Dr. Delamater
Recompense
(1925)
Col. Donovan
Hearts and Spurs
(1925)
Victor Dufresne
Ports of Call
(1925)
Randolph Sherman
Cradle Snatchers
(1927)
Roy Ladd
The Last Trail
(1927)
Kurt Morley
A Gentleman of Paris
(1927)
Henri Dufour
Sharp Tools
(1928)
Good Morning, Judge
(1928)
Elton (as William Davidson)
Woman Trap
(1929)
Watts
Always Faithful
(1929)
George W. Mason
Blaze o' Glory
(1929)
District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Queen of the Night Clubs
(1929)
Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
The Carnation Kid
(1929)
Blythe
Hook, Line and Sinker
(1930)
Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
Scarlet Pages
(1930)
Jackson
For the Defense
(1930)
Dist. Atty. Stone
Playboy of Paris
(1930)
Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
The Silver Horde
(1930)
Tom Hilliard
Oh, for a Man!
(1930)
Kerry Stokes
The Costello Case
(1930)
Saunders
Men Are Like That
(1930)
Frank Hyland
Hell's Angels
(1930)
Staff Major
A Man from Wyoming
(1930)
Major
Sunny
(1930)
First Ship's Officer
Graft
(1931)
M.H. Thomas
The Vice Squad
(1931)
Magistrate Tom Morrison
Captain Applejack
(1931)
Bill Dennett
No Limit
(1931)
Wilkie
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood
(1931)
The Secret Call
(1931)
Jim Blake
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'
(1931)
Himself - Golfer
Half Holiday
(1931)
Jerry - Andy's Pal
Dishonored
(1931)
The Most Dangerous Game
(1932)
Captain (uncredited)
The Lost Squadron
(1932)
Lelewer
Her Mad Night
(1932)
District Attorney
Sky Devils
(1932)
Captain
The Menace
(1932)
John Utterson
The Pride of the Legion
(1932)
Sgt. Arnold
Guilty or Not Guilty
(1932)
Chief
The Sport Parade
(1932)
Kendricks (uncredited)
Scarface
(1932)
Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
Central Park
(1932)
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
Is My Face Red?
(1932)
O'Sullivan
The Thirteenth Guest
(1932)
Police Captain Brown (Uncredited)
The Animal Kingdom
(1932)
Chess Player
I'm No Angel
(1933)
Ernest Brown
Lady Killer
(1933)
Director Williams
The Intruder
(1933)
Det. Lt. Samson
Meet the Baron
(1933)
General Broadcasting Representative
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action
(1933)
Himself
Torch Singer
(1933)
Jarrett
The Billion Dollar Scandal
(1933)
Jim Lawrence
Female
(1933)
Department Head (Uncredited)
Mystery of the Wax Museum
(1933)
Detective (Uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
(1933)
George Carr
Hello, Everybody!
(1933)
Mr. Parker
The Dragon Murder Case
(1934)
Greeff
Laughing Boy
(1934)
Hartshone (as William Davidson)
The St. Louis Kid
(1934)
Joe Hunter
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
(1934)
Stephen Prime
The Secret Bride
(1934)
Representative McPherson
Upperworld
(1934)
City Editor (uncredited)
Housewife
(1934)
Nan's Attorney
Fog Over Frisco
(1934)
Editor Joe Hogue
The Big Shakedown
(1934)
District Attorney (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
(1934)
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
(1934)
Charles (as William Davidson)
Special Agent
(1935)
Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
Show Them No Mercy!
(1935)
Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
Sweet Music
(1935)
Billie Madison
Woman Wanted
(1935)
Collins
Death Flies East
(1935)
Police Captain Barrie
In Person
(1935)
Director Bill Sutter
Oil for the Lamps of China
(1935)
E.H. Swaley
Bordertown
(1935)
Dr. Carter
Devil Dogs of the Air
(1935)
Adjutant
Dangerous
(1935)
Reed Walsh
A Night at the Ritz
(1935)
Connolly
Go Into Your Dance
(1935)
Tom McGee
Earthworm Tractors
(1936)
Mr. Jackson
Love on a Bet
(1936)
A.W. Hutchinson
Road Gang
(1936)
Attorney General Mardsen
Murder by an Aristocrat
(1936)
Bayard Thatcher (as William Davidson)
Fatal Lady
(1936)
Detective (uncredited)
The Big Noise
(1936)
Welford Andrews
The Singing Kid
(1936)
Barney Hammond
Satan Met a Lady
(1936)
City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
Gold Diggers of 1937
(1936)
Andy Callahan
You May Be Next!
(1936)
Official (uncredited)
Paradise Isle
(1937)
Hoener
Midnight Court
(1937)
Alfred H. Kruger
Marry the Girl
(1937)
Drake
Easy Living
(1937)
Mr. Hyde
Ever Since Eve
(1937)
Henderson
It Happened in Hollywood
(1937)
Al Howard
Melody for Two
(1937)
Mr. Hale
Love on Toast
(1937)
Jonathan
Something to Sing About
(1937)
Mr. Richards (as William Davidson)
Marked Woman
(1937)
Bob Crandall
Behind the Mike
(1937)
Cyrus Wittles
Let Them Live
(1937)
The Editor
The Road Back
(1937)
Bartscher
The Hurricane
(1937)
Abusive Drunk (uncredited)
Hollywood Hotel
(1938)
Director Kelton
Sergeant Murphy
(1938)
Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
(1938)
Ellory Bugs
Blockade
(1938)
Commandant
Racket Busters
(1938)
Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
Cowboy from Brooklyn
(1938)
Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
Cocoanut Grove
(1938)
Hawtrey
The Jury's Secret
(1938)
Page
Illegal Traffic
(1938)
Dalton
There Goes My Heart
(1938)
Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
Letter of Introduction
(1938)
Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
Dust Be My Destiny
(1939)
Work Farm Warden
Blackwell's Island
(1939)
Hempel
Indianapolis Speedway
(1939)
Duncan Martin
They Made Me a Criminal
(1939)
Ennis
Naughty But Nice
(1939)
Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
Smashing the Money Ring
(1939)
Warden Denby
Tail Spin
(1939)
Sales Manager (Uncredited)
Blondie Meets the Boss
(1939)
Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
Three Smart Girls Grow Up
(1939)
Stock Broker
Each Dawn I Die
(1939)
Bill Mason
Honeymoon in Bali
(1939)
Store Detective
Private Detective
(1939)
Inspector Evans
Sudden Money
(1939)
Sam
Off the Record
(1939)
Scotty
On Trial
(1939)
Mr. Gray
Invisible Stripes
(1939)
Montgomery (uncredited)
Hidden Power
(1939)
Foster
Seven Sinners
(1940)
Police Chief
Florian
(1940)
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Lillian Russell
(1940)
President Cleveland
Hired Wife
(1940)
Mumford (as William Davidson)
My Little Chickadee
(1940)
Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
My Love Came Back
(1940)
Agent
Half a Sinner
(1940)
Slick
Tin Pan Alley
(1940)
Hotel Manager
Lady with Red Hair
(1940)
Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
Maryland
(1940)
John Addison
Girl in 313
(1940)
George Grayson
Sailor's Lady
(1940)
Judge Hinsdale
Sandy Gets Her Man
(1940)
Councilman Charles J. Clark
San Francisco Docks
(1940)
Dist. Atty. Craig
Granny Get Your Gun
(1940)
Fitzgerald
On Their Own
(1940)
Judge Bull
Charter Pilot
(1940)
Mr. Wentworth
Sun Valley Serenade
(1941)
Jack Murray
Highway West
(1941)
Gorman
Uncle Joe
(1941)
Mr. Day
In the Navy
(1941)
Capt. Richards (uncredited)
Three Sons o' Guns
(1941)
Henry Baxter
Man-Made Monster
(1941)
District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
Keep 'Em Flying
(1941)
Gonigle
The Lady from Cheyenne
(1941)
Nye Dunbar
Hold That Ghost
(1941)
Moose Matson
Three Girls About Town
(1941)
Labor Leader
Remember the Day
(1941)
Committeeman
Week-End in Havana
(1941)
Captain Moss
Thieves Fall Out
(1941)
Harrison "Harry" Eckles
Larceny, Inc.
(1942)
McCarthy
The Great Man's Lady
(1942)
Sen. Knobs
The Affairs of Martha
(1942)
Homer Jacell
Over My Dead Body
(1942)
Crole (as William Davidson)
Gentleman Jim
(1942)
Donovan (uncredited)
Careful, Soft Shoulders
(1942)
Mr. Aldrich
In This Our Life
(1942)
Jim Purdy
The Male Animal
(1942)
Alumnus
The Magnificent Dope
(1942)
Mr. Reindel
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
(1942)
Cyrus Ballard
Murder on the Waterfront
(1943)
Capt. Towne
Calaboose
(1943)
Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
Mission to Moscow
(1943)
Senator (uncredited)
Over the Wall
(1943)
Warden Ed
Truck Busters
(1943)
Stephen S. Gray
The Good Fellows
(1943)
Blake
Hers to Hold
(1943)
Al
Up in Arms
(1944)
Maxwell
A Night of Adventure
(1944)
Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
Make Your Own Bed
(1944)
Mr. Linklater
In Society
(1944)
Parker
Greenwich Village
(1944)
Dance Director
Circumstantial Evidence
(1945)
Board of Appeals Chairman
Tell It to a Star
(1945)
Brannigan
See My Lawyer
(1945)
Judge
The Man Who Walked Alone
(1945)
Governor
They Were Expendable
(1945)
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Sing Your Way Home
(1945)
F.T. Johnson
The Notorious Lone Wolf
(1946)
Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
The Plainsman and the Lady
(1946)
Russell
Ding Dong Williams
(1946)
Mr. Saul Dana
My Darling Clementine
(1946)
Saloon Owner (uncredited)
The Cat Creeps
(1946)
James Walsh
Blonde Alibi
(1946)
Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
That Hagen Girl
(1947)
Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
(1947)
Peter Premium
The Judge Steps Out
(1947)
Colonel Bright (uncredited)
That's My Man
(1947)
Steward
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
(1975)
Self (archive footage)
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
(1994)
Self (archive footage)