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William B. Davidson

William B. Davidson

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

Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
1994 • Self (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975 • Self (archive footage)
The Judge Steps Out
The Judge Steps Out
1947 • Colonel Bright (uncredited)
That Hagen Girl
That Hagen Girl
1947 • Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
That's My Man
That's My Man
1947 • Steward
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
1947 • Peter Premium
The Plainsman and the Lady
The Plainsman and the Lady
1946 • Russell
My Darling Clementine
My Darling Clementine
1946 • Saloon Owner (uncredited)

Full filmography

Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
1994 • Self (archive footage)
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975 • Self (archive footage)
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The Judge Steps Out
The Judge Steps Out
1947 • Colonel Bright (uncredited)
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That Hagen Girl
That Hagen Girl
1947 • Mr. Bowman (uncredited)
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That's My Man
That's My Man
1947 • Steward
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Dick Tracy's Dilemma
Dick Tracy's Dilemma
1947 • Peter Premium
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My Darling Clementine
My Darling Clementine
1946 • Saloon Owner (uncredited)
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The Cat Creeps
The Cat Creeps
1946 • James Walsh
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Ding Dong Williams
Ding Dong Williams
1946 • Mr. Saul Dana
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Blonde Alibi
Blonde Alibi
1946 • Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)
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The Notorious Lone Wolf
The Notorious Lone Wolf
1946 • Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)
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They Were Expendable
They Were Expendable
1945 • Hotel Manager (uncredited)
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Sing Your Way Home
Sing Your Way Home
1945 • F.T. Johnson
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Tell It to a Star
Tell It to a Star
1945 • Brannigan
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Dillinger
Dillinger
1945 • Bank President (uncredited)
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Circumstantial Evidence
Circumstantial Evidence
1945 • Board of Appeals Chairman
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Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village
1944 • Dance Director
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In Society
In Society
1944 • Parker
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Make Your Own Bed
Make Your Own Bed
1944 • Mr. Linklater
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A Night of Adventure
A Night of Adventure
1944 • Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)
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Shine on Harvest Moon
Shine on Harvest Moon
1944 • Tim Donovan (uncredited)
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Up in Arms
Up in Arms
1944 • Maxwell (uncredited)
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Over the Wall
Over the Wall
1943 • Warden Ed
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Mission to Moscow
Mission to Moscow
1943 • Senator (uncredited)
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Calaboose
Calaboose
1943 • Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)
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Truck Busters
Truck Busters
1943 • Stephen S. Gray
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Gentleman Jim
Gentleman Jim
1942 • Donovan (uncredited)
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The Magnificent Dope
The Magnificent Dope
1942 • Mr. Reindel
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The Affairs of Martha
The Affairs of Martha
1942 • Homer Jacell
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In This Our Life
In This Our Life
1942 • Jim Purdy
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Larceny, Inc.
Larceny, Inc.
1942 • McCarthy
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Over My Dead Body
Over My Dead Body
1942 • Crole (as William Davidson)
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Remember the Day
Remember the Day
1941 • Committeeman
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Uncle Joe
Uncle Joe
1941 • Mr. Day
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Week-End in Havana
Week-End in Havana
1941 • Captain Moss
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Sun Valley Serenade
Sun Valley Serenade
1941 • Jack Murray
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Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost
1941 • Moose Matson
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Highway West
Highway West
1941 • Gorman
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Three Sons o' Guns
Three Sons o' Guns
1941 • Henry Baxter
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In the Navy
In the Navy
1941 • Capt. Richards (uncredited)
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Thieves Fall Out
Thieves Fall Out
1941 • Harrison "Harry" Eckles
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Man-Made Monster
Man-Made Monster
1941 • District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley
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San Francisco Docks
San Francisco Docks
1940 • Dist. Atty. Craig
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A Night at Earl Carroll's
A Night at Earl Carroll's
1940 • Mayor Green of San Bernardino
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Charter Pilot
Charter Pilot
1940 • Mr. Wentworth
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Lady with Red Hair
Lady with Red Hair
1940 • Stock Company Manager (uncredited)
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Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley
1940 • Hotel Manager
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Sandy Gets Her Man
Sandy Gets Her Man
1940 • Councilman Charles J. Clark
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Seven Sinners
Seven Sinners
1940 • Police Chief
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Hired Wife
Hired Wife
1940 • Mumford (as William Davidson)
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Maryland
Maryland
1940 • John Addison
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Sailor's Lady
Sailor's Lady
1940 • Judge Hinsdale
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Florian
Florian
1940 • Archduke Franz Ferdinand
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Girl in 313
Girl in 313
1940 • George Grayson
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Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell
1940 • President Cleveland
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On Their Own
On Their Own
1940 • Judge Bull
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My Little Chickadee
My Little Chickadee
1940 • Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)
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Invisible Stripes
Invisible Stripes
1939 • Montgomery (uncredited)
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Private Detective
Private Detective
1939 • Inspector Evans
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Honeymoon in Bali
Honeymoon in Bali
1939 • Store Detective
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Dust Be My Destiny
Dust Be My Destiny
1939 • Work Farm Warden
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Hidden Power
Hidden Power
1939 • Foster
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Each Dawn I Die
Each Dawn I Die
1939 • Bill Mason
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Indianapolis Speedway
Indianapolis Speedway
1939 • Duncan Martin
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Naughty But Nice
Naughty But Nice
1939 • Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher
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On Trial
On Trial
1939 • Mr. Gray
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Blondie Meets the Boss
Blondie Meets the Boss
1939 • Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)
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Tail Spin
Tail Spin
1939 • Sales Manager (Uncredited)
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There Goes My Heart
There Goes My Heart
1938 • Skipper Jackson (uncredited)
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Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
1938 • Ellory Bugs
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Letter of Introduction
Letter of Introduction
1938 • Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)
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Racket Busters
Racket Busters
1938 • Trucking Chairman (uncredited)
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Cowboy from Brooklyn
Cowboy from Brooklyn
1938 • Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey
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Blockade
Blockade
1938 • Commandant
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You and Me
You and Me
1938 • N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)
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Cocoanut Grove
Cocoanut Grove
1938 • Hawtrey
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Hollywood Hotel
Hollywood Hotel
1938 • Director Kelton
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Sergeant Murphy
Sergeant Murphy
1938 • Maj. Gruff (uncredited)
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Love on Toast
Love on Toast
1937 • Jonathan
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The Hurricane
The Hurricane
1937 • The Bully (uncredited)
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Something to Sing About
Something to Sing About
1937 • Mr. Richards (as William Davidson)
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Behind the Mike
Behind the Mike
1937 • Cyrus Wittles
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Easy Living
Easy Living
1937 • Mr. Hyde
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Ever Since Eve
Ever Since Eve
1937 • Henderson
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The Road Back
The Road Back
1937 • Bartscher
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Melody for Two
Melody for Two
1937 • Mr. Hale
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Let Them Live
Let Them Live
1937 • The Editor
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Marked Woman
Marked Woman
1937 • Bob Crandall
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Midnight Court
Midnight Court
1937 • Alfred H. Kruger
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Gold Diggers of 1937
Gold Diggers of 1937
1936 • Andy Callahan
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Earthworm Tractors
Earthworm Tractors
1936 • Mr. Jackson
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Satan Met a Lady
Satan Met a Lady
1936 • City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)
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The Big Noise
The Big Noise
1936 • Welford Andrews
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Murder by an Aristocrat
Murder by an Aristocrat
1936 • Bayard Thatcher
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Fatal Lady
Fatal Lady
1936 • Detective (uncredited)
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The Singing Kid
The Singing Kid
1936 • Barney Hammond
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Road Gang
Road Gang
1936 • Attorney General Mardsen
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Love on a Bet
Love on a Bet
1936 • A.W. Hutchinson
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You May Be Next!
You May Be Next!
1936 • Official (uncredited)
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Dangerous
Dangerous
1935 • Reed Walsh
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Show Them No Mercy!
Show Them No Mercy!
1935 • Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)
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In Person
In Person
1935 • Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)
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Special Agent
Special Agent
1935 • Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer
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Redheads on Parade
Redheads on Parade
1935 • Theatre Manager
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Woman Wanted
Woman Wanted
1935 • Collins
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Straight from the Heart
Straight from the Heart
1935 • Prosecuting Attorney
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Death Flies East
Death Flies East
1935 • Police Captain Barrie
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Sweet Music
Sweet Music
1935 • Billie Madison
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Bordertown
Bordertown
1935 • Dr. Carter
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The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
1934 • Charles (as William Davidson)
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The Secret Bride
The Secret Bride
1934 • Representative McPherson
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Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life
1934 • Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)
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The St. Louis Kid
The St. Louis Kid
1934 • Joe Hunter
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Housewife
Housewife
1934 • Nan's Attorney
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Friends of Mr. Sweeney
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
1934 • Stephen Prime
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Fog Over Frisco
Fog Over Frisco
1934 • Editor Joe Hogue
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Upperworld
Upperworld
1934 • City Editor (uncredited)
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Laughing Boy
Laughing Boy
1934 • Hartshone (as William Davidson)
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The Big Shakedown
The Big Shakedown
1934 • District Attorney (uncredited)
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Lady Killer
Lady Killer
1933 • Director Williams
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Female
Female
1933 • Department Head (Uncredited)
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Meet the Baron
Meet the Baron
1933 • General Broadcasting Representative
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I'm No Angel
I'm No Angel
1933 • Ernest Brown
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Torch Singer
Torch Singer
1933 • Jarrett
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The Intruder
The Intruder
1933 • Det. Lt. Samson
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Dangerously Yours
Dangerously Yours
1933 • George Carr
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Mystery of the Wax Museum
Mystery of the Wax Museum
1933 • Detective (Uncredited)
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Hello, Everybody!
Hello, Everybody!
1933 • Mr. Parker
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The Animal Kingdom
The Animal Kingdom
1932 • Chess Player
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Central Park
Central Park
1932 • Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
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The Sport Parade
The Sport Parade
1932 • Kendricks (uncredited)
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Her Mad Night
Her Mad Night
1932 • District Attorney
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The Thirteenth Guest
The Thirteenth Guest
1932 • Police Captain Brown (uncredited)
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Is My Face Red?
Is My Face Red?
1932 • O'Sullivan
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Scarface
Scarface
1932 • Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
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Sky Devils
Sky Devils
1932 • Captain
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The Menace
The Menace
1932 • John Utterson
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Half Holiday
1931 • Jerry - Andy's Pal
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Graft
Graft
1931 • M.H. Thomas
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The Secret Call
The Secret Call
1931 • Jim Blake
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The Vice Squad
The Vice Squad
1931 • Magistrate Tom Morrison
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Captain Applejack
Captain Applejack
1931 • Bill Dennett
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No Limit
No Limit
1931 • Wilkie
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Hook, Line and Sinker
Hook, Line and Sinker
1930 • Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)
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Oh, for a Man!
Oh, for a Man!
1930 • Kerry Stokes
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Hell's Angels
Hell's Angels
1930 • Staff Major
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Sunny
Sunny
1930 • First Ship's Officer
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The Silver Horde
The Silver Horde
1930 • Tom Hilliard
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Playboy of Paris
Playboy of Paris
1930 • Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)
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Scarlet Pages
Scarlet Pages
1930 • Jackson
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For the Defense
For the Defense
1930 • Dist. Atty. Stone
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Men Are Like That
Men Are Like That
1930 • Frank Hyland
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Blaze o' Glory
Blaze o' Glory
1929 • District Attorney (as William Davidson)
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Always Faithful
Always Faithful
1929 • George W. Mason
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Woman Trap
Woman Trap
1929 • Watts
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Queen of the Night Clubs
Queen of the Night Clubs
1929 • Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)
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Good Morning, Judge
Good Morning, Judge
1928 • Elton (as William Davidson)
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A Gentleman of Paris
A Gentleman of Paris
1927 • Henri Dufour
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The Last Trail
The Last Trail
1927 • Kurt Morley
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Hearts and Spurs
Hearts and Spurs
1925 • Victor Dufresne
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Recompense
Recompense
1925 • Col. Donovan
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Women and Gold
Women and Gold
1925 • Señor Ortego
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Ports of Call
Ports of Call
1925 • Randolph Sherman
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Adam and Eva
Adam and Eva
1923 • Dr. Delamater
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Nobody
Nobody
1921 • John Rossmore
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Partners of the Night
Partners of the Night
1920 • Robert Clifford
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The Capitol
The Capitol
1919 • Congressman Blake
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Lure of Ambition
Lure of Ambition
1919 • Hon. Cyril Ralston
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Impossible Catherine
Impossible Catherine
1919 • John Henry Jackson
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A Woman There Was
A Woman There Was
1919 • Rev. Winthrop Stark
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The Gold Cure
The Gold Cure
1919 • Michael Darcy
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Why I Would Not Marry
Why I Would Not Marry
1918 • Undetermined Role
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In Pursuit of Polly
In Pursuit of Polly
1918 • Larry O'Malley
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Friend Husband
Friend Husband
1918 • John Sparr
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Our Little Wife
Our Little Wife
1918 • Dr. Elliott
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Her Second Husband
Her Second Husband
1917 • John Kirby
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American Maid
American Maid
1917 • David Starr
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Persuasive Peggy
Persuasive Peggy
1917 • Ed Trowbridge
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The Lifted Veil
The Lifted Veil
1917 • Malcolm Grant
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The Greatest Power
The Greatest Power
1917 • John Conrad
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Lady Barnacle
Lady Barnacle
1917 • Krishna Dhwaj
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The Call of Her People
The Call of Her People
1917 • Nicholas Van Kleet
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Mary Lawson's Secret
Mary Lawson's Secret
1917 • Dr. Brundage
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The White Raven
The White Raven
1917 • The Stranger
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The Pretenders
The Pretenders
1916 • Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)
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The Child of Destiny
The Child of Destiny
1916 • Calvin Baker
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Dorian's Divorce
Dorian's Divorce
1916 • Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)
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The Price of Malice
The Price of Malice
1916 • Capt. Mills
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Her Debt of Honor
1916 • John Hartfield
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A Yellow Streak
A Yellow Streak
1915 • Jack Rader
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William B. Davidson – Biography, Known For & Filmography