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