| Charles Williams | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Williams in Career Girl (1944) | |
| Born | (1898-09-27)September 27, 1898 Albany, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, 1958(1958-01-03) (aged 59) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1922–1956 |
| Spouses |
(m. 1928; died 1944) (m. 1945) |
Charles Williams (September 27, 1898 – January 3, 1958) was an American actor and writer. He appeared in over 260 film and television productions between 1922 and 1956. He also worked as a writer on 30 films between 1932 and 1954.
Biography
He started his film career in the early 1920s in Paramount's New York studios, where he made his film debut in The Old Homestead, but also worked behind the camera as a writer and assistant director. With the arrival of sound film, he went to Hollywood and became a supporting actor there. The actor with the short stature and high-pitched voice was often uncredited for his appearances, although he had larger roles in a number of B movies.
Williams was known as a "B-movie regular", who often portrayed quirky, somewhat nerdy, bespectacled clerks, photographers and especially reporters. He is perhaps best remembered today for appearing in It's a Wonderful Life as Eustace, George Bailey's cousin and co-worker at the Building and Loan. Near the end of his life and career, Williams also played in a number of television series. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Selected filmography
- The Old Homestead (1922) - Gabe Waters
- Action Galore (1925) - Luke McLean
- The Mad Genius (1931) - Stagehand (uncredited)
- Forgotten Women (1931) - Jerry - Stagehand (uncredited)
- Delicious (1931) - Honeymooner (uncredited)
- Dance Team (1932) - Benny Weber
- Letty Lynton (1932) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Strangers of the Evening (1932) - 1st Passerby
- Radio Patrol (1932) - Axe-Murderer Suspect (uncredited)
- Blondie of the Follies (1932) - Mr. Kinskey - Lottie's Friend (uncredited)
- 70,000 Witnesses (1932) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Faithless (1932) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Madison Square Garden (1932) - Reporter at Ringside (uncredited)
- Flesh (1932) - Radio Sports Reporter (uncredited)
- The Devil Is Driving (1932) - Bill Jones (uncredited)
- Frisco Jenny (1932) - Party Guest (uncredited)
- Central Airport (1933) - El Paso Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Made on Broadway (1933) - Photographer (uncredited)
- The Nuisance (1933) - Skating Rink Official (uncredited)
- Gambling Ship (1933) - Baby Face
- Sitting Pretty (1933) - A Neighbor (uncredited)
- Dancing Lady (1933) - Man Arrested in Burlesque Theater (uncredited)
- The Big Shakedown (1934) - Man Buying Aspirin (uncredited)
- This Side of Heaven (1934) - Jimmy - Reporter (uncredited)
- The Crosby Case (1934) - Taxi Rider (uncredited)
- The Show-Off (1934) - Smith (uncredited)
- The Lost Jungle (1934) - Cub Reporter
- A Very Honorable Guy (1934) - Druggist (uncredited)
- Sadie McKee (1934) - Pest in Cafe (uncredited)
- Private Scandal (1934) - Reporter (uncredited)
- The Thin Man (1934) - Fighter Manager (uncredited)
- Now I'll Tell (1934) - One of Honey Smith's Boys (uncredited)
- Friends of Mr. Sweeney (1934) - Vender (scenes deleted)
- The Cat's-Paw (1934) - Reporter (uncredited)
- The Girl from Missouri (1934) - Photographer with Sullivan (uncredited)
- Dames (1934) - Dance Director (uncredited)
- Woman in the Dark (1934) - Hotel Desk Clerk
- The Drag-Net (1936) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Rhythm on the Range (1936) - Gopher Mazda
- Charlie Chan at the Race Track (1936) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Hollywood Boulevard (1936) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Wedding Present (1936) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Rose Bowl (1936) - Football Player (uncredited)
- Four Days' Wonder (1936) - Kasky
- Arizona Mahoney (1936) - Short Cowhand (uncredited)
- Crack-Up (1936) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Sinner Take All (1936) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Sing Me a Love Song (1936) - Man Listening to Haines Sing (uncredited)
- Love Is News (1937) - Joe Brady
- Espionage (1937) - Simmons (uncredited)
- Fair Warning (1937) - Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- History Is Made at Night (1937) - Room Service Waiter on Ship (uncredited)
- Jim Hanvey, Detective (1937) - Brackett
- A Star Is Born (1937) - Hanley (uncredited)
- As Good as Married (1937) - Lecturer (uncredited)
- Turn Off the Moon (1937) - Brooks
- Big Business (1937) - Florist Shop Customer (uncredited)
- Sing and Be Happy (1937) - Small Man (uncredited)
- Flying Fists (1937) - Meggs, the Reporter
- Wake Up and Live (1937) - Charlie Alberts, Agent
- The Lady Escapes (1937) - Florist (uncredited)
- Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938 (1937) - Customs Man in Fall Show (uncredited)
- It Happened in Hollywood (1937) - Hymie - Photographer (uncredited)
- Charlie Chan on Broadway (1937) - Meeker
- Behind the Mike (1937) - Crunchie-Munchie Effect Man (uncredited)
- Sky Racket (1937) - Night Club Comedian (uncredited)
- Partners in Crime (1937) - Messenger (uncredited)
- Stand-In (1937) - Mr. Mack (uncredited)
- Merry-Go-Round of 1938 (1937) - Dave Clark
- Blossoms on Broadway (1937) - Elevator Man (uncredited)
- Amateur Crook (1937) - Drunk Witness
- Love and Hisses (1937) - Irving Skolsky
- In Old Chicago (1938) - Secretary / Wedding Witness (uncredited)
- Man-Proof (1938) - Reporter (uncredited)
- The Lone Ranger (1938) - Cub Reporter (uncredited)
- Born to Be Wild (1938) - Company Spotter
- Hollywood Stadium Mystery (1938) - Jake
- Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938) - Gabby Marden
- Joy of Living (1938) - Pitchman at Recording Studio (uncredited)
- Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) - Agent
- The Marines Are Here (1938) - Bartender (uncredited)
- Men with Wings (1938) - Telegraph Operator (uncredited)
- Little Miss Broadway (1938) - Mike Brody
- Gateway (1938) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Hold That Co-ed (1938) - McFinch (uncredited)
- Just Around the Corner (1938) - Candid Cameraman (uncredited)
- Trade Winds (1938) - Reporter Jones (uncredited)
- Ambush (1939) - Hardware Wholesaler (uncredited)
- Wife, Husband and Friend (1939) - Jaffee
- The Ice Follies of 1939 (1939) - Max Morton (uncredited)
- The Flying Irishman (1939) - Repo Man (uncredited)
- My Wife's Relatives (1939) - (uncredited)
- Undercover Doctor (1939) - Pinky Valkus
- Unexpected Father (1939) - Timid Man (uncredited)
- Those High Grey Walls (1939) - Stranger (uncredited)
- Sabotage (1939) - Minor Role (uncredited)
- Days of Jesse James (1939) - Northern Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939) - Peters (uncredited)
- Women Without Names (1940) - Hugh Gilman (uncredited)
- Johnny Apollo (1940) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Primrose Path (1940) - Man in Diner (uncredited)
- Enemy Agent (1940) - Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Girl in 313 (1940) - Henry - Husband
- Grand Ole Opry (1940) - Politician (uncredited)
- Marked Men (1940) - Charlie Sloane
- You're the One (1941) - Soda Jerk
- The Great Train Robbery (1941) - McCoy (uncredited)
- Mr. District Attorney (1941) - Detective in Café (uncredited)
- The Lady from Cheyenne (1941) - Clerk
- Reaching for the Sun (1941) - Truck Driver
- Angels with Broken Wings (1941) - (uncredited)
- Down in San Diego (1941) - Cigar Salesman (uncredited)
- Flying Cadets (1941) - Mr. Prim / Primmie, Bookkeeper
- Melody Lane (1941) - Thomas Assistant (uncredited)
- Don't Get Personal (1942) - Shell Game Spectator (uncredited)
- Blue, White and Perfect (1942) - Theodore H. Sherman Jr.- Printer
- The Fleet's In (1942) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Roxie Hart (1942) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Girls' Town (1942) - Coffer
- The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942) - The Pitchman
- The Great Man's Lady (1942) - Assayer (uncredited)
- Inside the Law (1942) - Auctioneer (uncredited)
- My Favorite Spy (1942) - 3rd Speaker in Park (uncredited)
- One Thrilling Night (1942) - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
- Night in New Orleans (1942) - Citizen (uncredited)
- The Pride of the Yankees (1942) - Little Strength Machine Contestant (uncredited)
- Joan of Ozark (1942) - Representative (uncredited)
- Tales of Manhattan (1942) - Orman's Bespectacled Agent (Boyer sequence) (uncredited)
- Call of the Canyon (1942) - Agent (uncredited)
- Isle of Missing Men (1942) - Jo-Jo
- Secrets of the Underground (1942) - Hypo-News Photographer (uncredited)
- Time to Kill (1942) - The Dentist (uncredited)
- Ice-Capades Revue (1942) - Menkin (uncredited)
- Salute for Three (1943) - Sailor (uncredited)
- Chatterbox (1943) - Agent (uncredited)
- Redhead from Manhattan (1943) - Box Office Attendant (uncredited)
- I Escaped from the Gestapo (1943) - Secretary (uncredited)
- Sarong Girl (1943) - Mr. Chase
- The West Side Kid (1943) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Nobody's Darling (1943) - News Photographer (uncredited)
- Always a Bridesmaid (1943) - Saunders
- The Girl from Monterrey (1943) - Harry Hollis
- Where Are Your Children? (1943) - Mack - Comical Sailor
- Whispering Footsteps (1943) - 2nd Bank Teller (uncredited)
- Career Girl (1944) - Louis Horton
- Sweethearts of the U.S.A. (1944) - Mr. Pike
- Rosie the Riveter (1944) - Poker Player (uncredited)
- Song of the Open Road (1944) - Man Saying 'It's a Trick' (uncredited)
- Goodnight, Sweetheart (1944) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Since You Went Away (1944) - Man in Cocktail Lounge (uncredited)
- Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1944) - Court Recorder (uncredited)
- Call of the Rockies (1944) - Burton Witherspoon
- Atlantic City (1944) - Chalmers
- Kansas City Kitty (1944) - George W. Pivet (uncredited)
- Greenwich Village (1944) - Drake - Author (uncredited)
- A Wave, a WAC and a Marine (1944) -Reporter (uncredited)
- Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1944) - Song Promoter (uncredited)
- End of the Road (1944) - Jordan
- Lake Placid Serenade (1944) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Gentle Annie (1944) - Candy Butcher (uncredited)
- The Man Who Walked Alone (1945) - Moe
- Identity Unknown (1945) - Auctioneer
- Hollywood and Vine (1945) - Chick Jones
- Honeymoon Ahead (1945) - Dinky (uncredited)
- Out of This World (1945) - Joe Welch (uncredited)
- Scared Stiff (1945) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Hitchhike to Happiness (1945) - Park Magician (uncredited)
- Guest Wife (1945) - Photographer (uncredited)
- Love, Honor and Goodbye (1945) - Barker at 'Happy Land' (uncredited)
- Duffy's Tavern (1945) - Smith's Assistant (uncredited)
- Doll Face (1945) - Orville, the Drug Store Clerk (uncredited)
- A Guy Could Change (1946) - Husband (uncredited)
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) - Doctor (uncredited)
- Rainbow Over Texas (1946) - Telegrapher (uncredited)
- Passkey to Danger (1946) - Mr. Williams
- Without Reservations (1946) - Louis Burt (uncredited)
- Do You Love Me (1946) - Bellhop with Box of Roses (uncredited)
- Joe Palooka, Champ (1946) - Mr. Polonski (uncredited)
- Our Hearts Were Growing Up (1946) - Cab Driver (uncredited)
- Deadline for Murder (1946) - Pat - Photographer (uncredited)
- A Boy, a Girl and a Dog (1946) - Mr. Stone
- Night and Day (1946) - Music Store Customer (uncredited)
- Red River Renegades (1946) - Clerk (uncredited)
- Queen of Burlesque (1946) - Carr - Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946) - Soundman (uncredited)
- Lady Chaser (1946) - Apartment House Manager
- Heldorado (1946) - Carnival Judge
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Cousin Eustace
- Yankee Fakir (1947) - Cad (uncredited)
- Saddle Pals (1947) - Leslie
- The Trespasser (1947) - Doorkeeper (uncredited)
- The Spirit of West Point (1947) - Bill (uncredited)
- Her Husband's Affairs (1947) - Cruise Line Clerk (uncredited)
- Heading for Heaven (1947) - Eddie Williams
- My Wild Irish Rose (1947) - Husband (uncredited)
- April Showers (1948) - Stage Manager (uncredited)
- Half Past Midnight (1948) - Little Man Outside Apartment (uncredited)
- Hazard (1948) - Little Man in his Car
- The Dude Goes West (1948) - Harris (uncredited)
- Marshal of Amarillo (1948) - Hiram Short
- Texas, Brooklyn and Heaven (1948) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Embraceable You (1948) - Albert Martin, Realtor (uncredited)
- Good Sam (1948) - Little Man (scenes deleted)
- The Strange Mrs. Crane (1948) - McLean
- Parole, Inc. (1948) - Titus Jones
- The Accused (1949) - Dorgan's Assistant (uncredited)
- The Judge (1949) - Reporter
- Grand Canyon (1949) - Bert
- Arson, Inc. (1949) - Bookie (uncredited)
- Task Force (1949) - Luggage Salesman (uncredited)
- The Woman on Pier 13 (1949) - Speaker in Park (uncredited)
- Paid in Full (1950) - Painter in Nursery (uncredited)
- Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard (1950) - Taxi Driver (uncredited)
- The Missourians (1950) - Walt - Postmaster
- Gasoline Alley (1951) - Mortie
- Lullaby of Broadway (1951) - Reporter (uncredited)
- Kentucky Jubilee (1951) - Yes Man
- According to Mrs. Hoyle (1951) - Charlie
- Criminal Lawyer (1951) - Juror (uncredited)
- Painting the Clouds with Sunshine (1951) - Husband (uncredited)
- A Millionaire for Christy (1951) - Reporter with Glasses (uncredited)
- Corky of Gasoline Alley (1951) - Morty (uncredited)
- Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952) - Reporter (uncredited)
- She's Working Her Way Through College (1952) - Waiter (uncredited)
- The Magnetic Monster (1953) - Cabbie
- Main Street to Broadway (1953) - Bartender (uncredited)
- The Twinkle in God's Eye (1955) - Assayer (uncredited)
- A Lawless Street (1955) - Mr. Willis (uncredited)
- Fighting Trouble (1956) - Smoggy Smith (uncredited)
References
- ^ "Charles Williams". AllMovie.
- Willan, Michael: The Essential It's a Wonderful Life: A Scene-by-Scene Guide to the Classic Film
- Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.