William B. Davidson
Acting • Born 1888-06-15 – Died 1947-09-28
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.
Filmography
249 credits
The Good Fellows
Movie • 1943
Blake
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
Movie • 1942
Cyrus Ballard
Dust Be My Destiny
Movie • 1939
Work Farm Warden
The White Raven
Movie • 1917
The Stranger
The Call of Her People
Movie • 1917
Nicholas Van Kleet
The Greatest Power
Movie • 1917
John Conrad
The Lifted Veil
Movie • 1917
Malcolm Grant
I'm No Angel
Movie • 1933
Ernest Brown
Hidden Power
Movie • 1939
Foster
La belle Russe
Movie • 1919
Brand
The Pretenders
Movie • 1916
Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
Lure of Ambition
Movie • 1919
Hon. Cyril Ralston
Seven Sinners
Movie • 1940
Police Chief
In Pursuit of Polly
Movie • 1918
Larry O'Malley
Good Morning, Judge
Movie • 1928
Elton (as William Davidson)
Circumstantial Evidence
Movie • 1945
Board of Appeals Chairman
Hook, Line and Sinker
Movie • 1930
Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
Queen of the Night Clubs
Movie • 1929
Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Sun Valley Serenade
Movie • 1941
Jack Murray
Lady Killer
Movie • 1933
Director Williams
Hollywood Hotel
Movie • 1938
Director Kelton
Earthworm Tractors
Movie • 1936
Mr. Jackson
Dangerously Yours
Movie • 1933
George Carr
Highway West
Movie • 1941
Gorman
Hearts and Spurs
Movie • 1925
Victor Dufresne
The Dragon Murder Case
Movie • 1934
Greeff
Larceny, Inc.
Movie • 1942
McCarthy
Blackwell's Island
Movie • 1939
Hempel
Special Agent
Movie • 1935
Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
Ports of Call
Movie • 1925
Randolph Sherman
The Great Man's Lady
Movie • 1941
Sen. Knobs
The Notorious Lone Wolf
Movie • 1946
Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
The Lost Squadron
Movie • 1932
Lelewer
Letter of Introduction
Movie • 1938
Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
Her Mad Night
Movie • 1932
District Attorney
Paradise Isle
Movie • 1937
Hoener
A Yellow Streak
Movie • 1915
Jack Rader
Show Them No Mercy!
Movie • 1935
Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
Sergeant Murphy
Movie • 1938
Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
Sweet Music
Movie • 1935
Billie Madison
Sky Devils
Movie • 1932
Captain
Graft
Movie • 1931
M.H. Thomas
Tell It to a Star
Movie • 1945
Brannigan
Scarlet Pages
Movie • 1930
Jackson
The Animal Kingdom
Movie • 1932
Chess Player
Love on a Bet
Movie • 1936
A.W. Hutchinson
Murder on the Waterfront
Movie • 1943
Capt. Towne
The Menace
Movie • 1932
John Utterson
Midnight Court
Movie • 1937
Alfred H. Kruger
Laughing Boy
Movie • 1934
Hartshone (as William Davidson)
The Pride of the Legion
Movie • 1932
Sgt. Arnold
Marry the Girl
Movie • 1937
Drake
Woman Trap
Movie • 1929
Watts
Road Gang
Movie • 1936
Attorney General Mardsen
My Love Came Back
Movie • 1940
Agent
For the Defense
Movie • 1930
Dist. Atty. Stone
Uncle Joe
Movie • 1941
Mr. Day
Florian
Movie • 1940
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Vice Squad
Movie • 1931
Magistrate Tom Morrison
The Affairs of Martha
Movie • 1942
Homer Jacell
For the Honor of the Crew
Movie • 1915
Robert Brent
The Plainsman and the Lady
Movie • 1946
Russell
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
Movie • 1938
Ellory Bugs
That Hagen Girl
Movie • 1947
Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
Indianapolis Speedway
Movie • 1939
Duncan Martin
Woman Wanted
Movie • 1935
Collins
Captain Applejack
Movie • 1931
Bill Dennett
In the Navy
Movie • 1941
Capt. Richards (uncredited)
Hello, Everybody!
Movie • 1933
Mr. Parker
No Limit
Movie • 1931
Wilkie
The Most Dangerous Game
Movie • 1932
Captain
Blockade
Movie • 1938
Commandant
Guilty or Not Guilty
Movie • 1932
Chief
Playboy of Paris
Movie • 1930
Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
The Dumb-Bell
Movie • 1922
The St. Louis Kid
Movie • 1934
Joe Hunter
A Man from Wyoming
Movie • 1930
Major
Her Debt of Honor
Movie • 1916
John Hartfield
In the Diplomatic Service
Movie • 1916
Lynn Hardi
Death Flies East
Movie • 1935
Police Captain Barrie
Murder by an Aristocrat
Movie • 1936
Bayard Thatcher
Ding Dong Williams
Movie • 1946
Mr. Saul Dana
The Price of Malice
Movie • 1916
Capt. Mills
A Modern Cinderella
Movie • 1917
The Carnation Kid
Movie • 1929
Blythe
Partners of the Night
Movie • 1920
Robert Clifford
Cradle Snatchers
Movie • 1927
Roy Ladd
Ever Since Eve
Movie • 1937
Henderson
It Happened in Hollywood
Movie • 1937
Al Howard
Easy Living
Movie • 1937
Mr. Hyde
Lillian Russell
Movie • 1940
President Cleveland
In Person
Movie • 1935
Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
They Made Me a Criminal
Movie • 1939
Ennis
The Intruder
Movie • 1933
Det. Lt. Samson
Windy Riley Goes Hollywood
Movie • 1931
The Hurricane
Movie • 1937
The Bully (uncredited)
Racket Busters
Movie • 1938
Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
Fatal Lady
Movie • 1936
Detective (uncredited)
Cowboy from Brooklyn
Movie • 1938
Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
Cocoanut Grove
Movie • 1938
Hawtrey
Sunny
Movie • 1930
First Ship's Officer
Melody for Two
Movie • 1937
Mr. Hale
Naughty But Nice
Movie • 1939
Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
Up in Arms
Movie • 1944
Maxwell (uncredited)
Adam and Eva
Movie • 1923
Dr. Delamater
Greenwich Village
Movie • 1944
Dance Director
Smashing the Money Ring
Movie • 1939
Warden Denby
The Sport Parade
Movie • 1932
Kendricks (uncredited)
Oil for the Lamps of China
Movie • 1935
E.H. Swaley
Charter Pilot
Movie • 1940
Mr. Wentworth
The Big Noise
Movie • 1936
Welford Andrews
Hired Wife
Movie • 1940
Mumford (as William Davidson)
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
Movie • 1934
Stephen Prime
Tail Spin
Movie • 1939
Sales Manager (Uncredited)
Blondie Meets the Boss
Movie • 1939
Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
Three Smart Girls Grow Up
Movie • 1939
Stock Broker
Three Sons o' Guns
Movie • 1941
Henry Baxter
Each Dawn I Die
Movie • 1939
Bill Mason
That's My Man
Movie • 1947
Steward
Honeymoon in Bali
Movie • 1939
Store Detective
There Goes My Heart
Movie • 1938
Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
Man-Made Monster
Movie • 1941
District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
Movie • 1994
Self (archive footage)
The Last Trail
Movie • 1927
Kurt Morley
The Girl from Nowhere
Movie • 1921
Jimmy Ryder
Hers to Hold
Movie • 1943
Al
The Judge Steps Out
Movie • 1947
Colonel Bright (uncredited)
On Their Own
Movie • 1940
Judge Bull
A Night of Adventure
Movie • 1944
Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
Calaboose
Movie • 1943
Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
Bordertown
Movie • 1935
Dr. Carter
Devil Dogs of the Air
Movie • 1935
Adjutant
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
Movie • 1947
Peter Premium
Love on Toast
Movie • 1937
Jonathan
The Secret Bride
Movie • 1934
Representative McPherson
Dangerous
Movie • 1935
Reed Walsh
A Woman There Was
Movie • 1919
Rev. Winthrop Stark
Over My Dead Body
Movie • 1942
Crole (as William Davidson)
Keep 'Em Flying
Movie • 1941
Gonigle
Mary Lawson's Secret
Movie • 1917
Dr. Brundage
Scarface
Movie • 1932
Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
My Darling Clementine
Movie • 1946
Saloon Owner (uncredited)
The Lady from Cheyenne
Movie • 1941
Nye Dunbar
My Little Chickadee
Movie • 1940
Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
Hold That Ghost
Movie • 1941
Moose Matson
Half a Sinner
Movie • 1940
Slick
Tin Pan Alley
Movie • 1940
Hotel Manager
The Singing Kid
Movie • 1936
Barney Hammond
Gentleman Jim
Movie • 1942
Donovan (uncredited)
A Night at the Ritz
Movie • 1935
Connolly
Lady with Red Hair
Movie • 1940
Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
Girl in 313
Movie • 1940
George Grayson
Maryland
Movie • 1940
John Addison
Meet the Baron
Movie • 1933
General Broadcasting Representative
How to Break 90 #3: Hip Action
Movie • 1933
Himself
Private Detective
Movie • 1939
Inspector Evans
Satan Met a Lady
Movie • 1936
City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
Three Girls About Town
Movie • 1941
Labor Leader
The Silver Horde
Movie • 1930
Tom Hilliard
Something to Sing About
Movie • 1937
Mr. Richards (as William Davidson)
The Secret Call
Movie • 1931
Jim Blake
Always Faithful
Movie • 1929
George W. Mason
Remember the Day
Movie • 1941
Committeeman
How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'
Movie • 1931
Himself - Golfer
Sharp Tools
Movie • 1928
Gold Diggers of 1937
Movie • 1936
Andy Callahan
Sudden Money
Movie • 1939
Sam
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Movie • 1975
Self (archive footage)
Oh, for a Man!
Movie • 1930
Kerry Stokes
Careful, Soft Shoulders
Movie • 1942
Mr. Aldrich
Housewife
Movie • 1934
Nan's Attorney
Off the Record
Movie • 1939
Scotty
The Costello Case
Movie • 1930
Saunders
Men Are Like That
Movie • 1930
Frank Hyland
On Trial
Movie • 1939
Mr. Gray
Half Holiday
Movie • 1931
Jerry - Andy's Pal
Week-End in Havana
Movie • 1941
Captain Moss
The Cat Creeps
Movie • 1946
James Walsh
Fog Over Frisco
Movie • 1934
Editor Joe Hogue
Thieves Fall Out
Movie • 1941
Harrison "Harry" Eckles
Hell's Angels
Movie • 1930
Staff Major
Mission to Moscow
Movie • 1943
Senator (uncredited)
Sailor's Lady
Movie • 1940
Judge Hinsdale
Marked Woman
Movie • 1937
Bob Crandall
Torch Singer
Movie • 1933
Jarrett
Over the Wall
Movie • 1943
Warden Ed
Go Into Your Dance
Movie • 1935
Tom McGee
Truck Busters
Movie • 1943
Stephen S. Gray
Blonde Alibi
Movie • 1946
Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
The Jury's Secret
Movie • 1938
Page
See My Lawyer
Movie • 1945
Judge
Sandy Gets Her Man
Movie • 1940
Councilman Charles J. Clark
Behind the Mike
Movie • 1937
Cyrus Wittles
Let Them Live
Movie • 1937
The Editor
Why I Would Not Marry
Movie • 1918
Undetermined Role
Recompense
Movie • 1925
Col. Donovan
Make Your Own Bed
Movie • 1944
Mr. Linklater
Impossible Catherine
Movie • 1919
John Henry Jackson
The Billion Dollar Scandal
Movie • 1933
Jim Lawrence
The Big Shakedown
Movie • 1934
District Attorney (uncredited)
You May Be Next!
Movie • 1936
Official (uncredited)
Imitation of Life
Movie • 1934
Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
In Society
Movie • 1944
Parker
San Francisco Docks
Movie • 1940
Dist. Atty. Craig
The Man Who Walked Alone
Movie • 1945
Governor
Granny Get Your Gun
Movie • 1940
Fitzgerald
The Capitol
Movie • 1919
Congressman Blake
Central Park
Movie • 1932
Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
Invisible Stripes
Movie • 1939
Montgomery (uncredited)
In This Our Life
Movie • 1942
Jim Purdy
Blaze o' Glory
Movie • 1929
District Attorney (as William Davidson)
Dorian's Divorce
Movie • 1916
Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
They Were Expendable
Movie • 1945
Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Is My Face Red?
Movie • 1932
O'Sullivan
A Gentleman of Paris
Movie • 1927
Henri Dufour
The Male Animal
Movie • 1942
Alumnus
Female
Movie • 1933
Department Head (Uncredited)
Mystery of the Wax Museum
Movie • 1933
Detective (Uncredited)
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
Movie • 1934
Charles (as William Davidson)
Illegal Traffic
Movie • 1938
Dalton
The Magnificent Dope
Movie • 1942
Mr. Reindel
Dishonored
Movie • 1931
The Thirteenth Guest
Movie • 1932
Police Captain Brown (uncredited)
Sing Your Way Home
Movie • 1945
F.T. Johnson
The Road Back
Movie • 1937
Bartscher
The Valley of Doubt
Movie • 1924
Macy
Persuasive Peggy
Movie • 1917
Ed Trowbridge
Her Second Husband
Movie • 1917
John Kirby
American Maid
Movie • 1917
David Starr
Ashes of Love
Movie • 1918
Redheads on Parade
Movie • 1935
Theatre Manager
You and Me
Movie • 1938
N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
Movie • 1935
Prosecuting Attorney
A Night at Earl Carroll's
Movie • 1940
Mayor Green of San Bernardino
Shine on Harvest Moon
Movie • 1944
Tim Donovan (uncredited)
Upperworld
Movie • 1934
City Editor (uncredited)
The Gold Cure
Movie • 1919
Michael Darcy
Lady Barnacle
Movie • 1917
Krishna Dhwaj
A Magdalene of the Hills
Movie • 1917
Bud Weaver
The Child of Destiny
Movie • 1916
Calvin Baker
Our Little Wife
Movie • 1918
Dr. Elliott
Friend Husband
Movie • 1918
John Sparr
Nobody
Movie • 1921
John Rossmore
More Truth Than Poetry
Movie • 1917
Allen Danby
The Storm Daughter
Movie • 1924
Rennert
Dillinger
Movie • 1945
Bank President (uncredited)
The Honeymoon's Over
Movie • 1939
Crane
Women and Gold
Movie • 1925
Señor Ortego
MGM Parade
TV • 1955