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William B. Davidson

Personal Information

Known ForActing
GenderMale
Born / DiedJun 15, 1888 (Died at 59)
Zodiac Sign♊Gemini
Place of BirthDobbs Ferry, New York, USA
Career Span1920 – 1947
Known Credits244 Titles
Official Links
ActingPopularity Score 0.6

William B. Davidson

Also known as:Wm. B. DavidsonWm. DavidsonWilliam DavidsonBill Davidson+1 more
Total Works

244

243 movies • 1 shows

Avg Rating

6.4 / 10

across rated releases

Box Office

—

worldwide gross

Global Reach

#1

TMDB star index

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.

Signature Roles & Milestones

Scarface
7.4
Scarface
1932•movie
as Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)
My Darling Clementine
7.5
as Saloon Owner (uncredited)
The Most Dangerous Game
6.9
as Captain
Mystery of the Wax Museum
6.5
as Detective (Uncredited)

Full Filmography & Credits

Showing 244 titles featuring William B. Davidson

Scarface
7.4
Scarface
1932•movie

as Citizens Committee Member (uncredited)

My Darling Clementine
7.5

as Saloon Owner (uncredited)

The Most Dangerous Game
6.9

as Captain

Mystery of the Wax Museum
6.5

as Detective (Uncredited)

They Were Expendable
6.5

as Hotel Manager (uncredited)

Hell's Angels
6.6
Hell's Angels
1930•movie

as Staff Major

Imitation of Life
7.0
Imitation of Life
1934•movie

as Man Buying Cigar (uncredited)

Dishonored
7.0
Dishonored
1931•movie
Marked Woman
6.6
Marked Woman
1937•movie

as Bob Crandall

Hold That Ghost
6.8
Hold That Ghost
1941•movie

as Moose Matson

Gentleman Jim
7.2
Gentleman Jim
1942•movie

as Donovan (uncredited)

Easy Living
7.2
Easy Living
1937•movie

as Mr. Hyde

I'm No Angel
6.4
I'm No Angel
1933•movie

as Ernest Brown

Each Dawn I Die
6.9
Each Dawn I Die
1939•movie

as Bill Mason

The Hurricane
6.7
The Hurricane
1937•movie

as The Bully (uncredited)

In This Our Life
6.9
In This Our Life
1942•movie

as Jim Purdy

Dangerous
6.6
Dangerous
1935•movie

as Reed Walsh

You and Me
6.6
You and Me
1938•movie

as N. G. Orton, Attorney-at-Law (uncredited)

Man-Made Monster
6.1
Man-Made Monster
1941•movie

as District Attorney Ralph B. Stanley

They Made Me a Criminal
6.3

as Ennis

Seven Sinners
6.0
Seven Sinners
1940•movie

as Police Chief

Larceny, Inc.
7.1
Larceny, Inc.
1942•movie

as McCarthy

Lady Killer
6.9
Lady Killer
1933•movie

as Director Williams

In the Navy
6.4
In the Navy
1941•movie

as Capt. Richards (uncredited)

My Little Chickadee
6.4

as Sheriff of Little Bend (uncredited)

Dillinger
5.9
Dillinger
1945•movie

as Bank President (uncredited)

Satan Met a Lady
5.8
Satan Met a Lady
1936•movie

as City Fathers Committee Spokesman (uncredited)

Female
6.3
Female
1933•movie

as Department Head (Uncredited)

Sun Valley Serenade
7.1

as Jack Murray

Bordertown
5.9
Bordertown
1935•movie

as Dr. Carter

Invisible Stripes
6.2
Invisible Stripes
1939•movie

as Montgomery (uncredited)

Dick Tracy's Dilemma
5.6

as Peter Premium

In Society
5.8
In Society
1944•movie

as Parker

The Animal Kingdom
5.6
The Animal Kingdom
1932•movie

as Chess Player (uncredited)

Keep 'Em Flying
6.2
Keep 'Em Flying
1941•movie

as Gonigle

Gold Diggers of 1937
6.1

as Andy Callahan

Mission to Moscow
5.7
Mission to Moscow
1943•movie

as Senator (uncredited)

The Thirteenth Guest
5.2

as Police Captain Brown (uncredited)

Dust Be My Destiny
6.5
Dust Be My Destiny
1939•movie

as Work Farm Warden

Something to Sing About
6.2

as Café Manager

Fog Over Frisco
6.4
Fog Over Frisco
1934•movie

as Editor Joe Hogue

The Dragon Murder Case
5.9

as Greeff

The Lost Squadron
6.5
The Lost Squadron
1932•movie

as Lelewer

Racket Busters
5.6
Racket Busters
1938•movie

as Trucking Chairman (uncredited)

The Silver Horde
5.6
The Silver Horde
1930•movie

as Tom Hilliard

The Big Shakedown
5.9
The Big Shakedown
1934•movie

as District Attorney (uncredited)

Hook, Line and Sinker
5.6

as Frank Dukette aka Duke of Winchester (as William Davidson)

It Happened in Hollywood
6.3

as Al Howard

There Goes My Heart
7.3

as Skipper Jackson (uncredited)

The Secret Bride
6.2
The Secret Bride
1934•movie

as Representative McPherson

Special Agent
6.2
Special Agent
1935•movie

as Charlie Young - Carston's Lawyer

Blockade
5.8
Blockade
1938•movie

as Commandant

The Cat Creeps
5.0
The Cat Creeps
1946•movie

as James Walsh

Hollywood Hotel
5.8
Hollywood Hotel
1938•movie

as Director Kelton

For the Defense
5.7
For the Defense
1930•movie

as Dist. Atty. Stone

Ever Since Eve
5.8
Ever Since Eve
1937•movie

as Henderson

Lillian Russell
6.6
Lillian Russell
1940•movie

as President Cleveland

Housewife
7.2
Housewife
1934•movie

as Nan's Attorney

Week-End in Havana
7.0
Week-End in Havana
1941•movie

as Captain Moss

The Great Man's Lady
6.3

as Sen. Knobs

Up in Arms
5.8
Up in Arms
1944•movie

as Maxwell (uncredited)

Blondie Meets the Boss
5.8

as Elderly Man in Café (uncredited)

Half a Sinner
5.3
Half a Sinner
1940•movie

as Slick

The Magnificent Dope
7.3

as Mr. Reindel

Letter of Introduction
6.0

as Mr. Raleigh (uncredited)

A Night of Adventure
5.0

as Gilbert J. Regan (uncredited)

Tin Pan Alley
5.4
Tin Pan Alley
1940•movie

as Hotel Manager

The Male Animal
4.5
The Male Animal
1942•movie

as Alumnus

That Hagen Girl
5.3
That Hagen Girl
1947•movie

as Mr. Bowman (uncredited)

Torch Singer
5.4
Torch Singer
1933•movie

as Jarrett

Circumstantial Evidence
5.2

as Board of Appeals Chairman

The Sport Parade
5.3
The Sport Parade
1932•movie

as Kendricks (uncredited)

Girl in 313
5.6
Girl in 313
1940•movie

as George Grayson

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
6.3

as Self (archive footage)

The Road Back
6.7
The Road Back
1937•movie

as Bartscher

Upperworld
6.1
Upperworld
1934•movie

as City Editor (uncredited)

Blackwell's Island
5.5
Blackwell's Island
1939•movie

as Hempel

My Love Came Back
4.9
My Love Came Back
1940•movie

as Agent

Indianapolis Speedway
5.6

as Duncan Martin

Woman Wanted
6.8
Woman Wanted
1935•movie

as Collins

The Intruder
4.6
The Intruder
1933•movie

as Det. Lt. Samson

Naughty but Nice
6.8
Naughty but Nice
1939•movie

as Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher

Three Smart Girls Grow Up
7.2

as Stock Broker

Hers to Hold
7.0
Hers to Hold
1943•movie

as Al

Central Park
5.8
Central Park
1932•movie

as Police Lieutenant (uncredited)

Is My Face Red?
5.0
Is My Face Red?
1932•movie

as O'Sullivan

The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine
6.4

as Cyrus Ballard

Earthworm Tractors
5.4
Earthworm Tractors
1936•movie

as Mr. Jackson

Laughing Boy
3.7
Laughing Boy
1934•movie

as Hartshone (as William Davidson)

Woman Trap
5.3
Woman Trap
1929•movie

as Watts

The Affairs of Martha
6.6

as Homer Jacell

No Limit
6.0
No Limit
1931•movie

as Wilkie

Oil for the Lamps of China
7.2

as E.H. Swaley

Tail Spin
6.3
Tail Spin
1939•movie

as Sales Manager (Uncredited)

Lady with Red Hair
6.9
Lady with Red Hair
1940•movie

as Stock Company Manager (uncredited)

Remember the Day
7.3
Remember the Day
1941•movie

as Committeeman

The St. Louis Kid
6.3
The St. Louis Kid
1934•movie

as Joe Hunter

Greenwich Village
6.7
Greenwich Village
1944•movie

as Dance Director

Hired Wife
6.8
Hired Wife
1940•movie

as Mumford (as William Davidson)

Devil Dogs of the Air
6.8

as Adjutant

Meet the Baron
5.3
Meet the Baron
1933•movie

as General Broadcasting Representative

Blonde Alibi
4.8
Blonde Alibi
1946•movie

as Police Captain Hurley (Uncredited)

Make Your Own Bed
6.0
Make Your Own Bed
1944•movie

as Mr. Linklater

A Night at Earl Carroll's
4.5

as Mayor Green of San Bernardino

Highway West
6.6
Highway West
1941•movie

as Gorman

The Notorious Lone Wolf
6.0

as Inspector Crane (as William Davidson)

The Menace
5.6
The Menace
1932•movie

as John Utterson

Midnight Court
5.1
Midnight Court
1937•movie

as Alfred H. Kruger

Road Gang
7.0
Road Gang
1936•movie

as Attorney General Mardsen

The Vice Squad
6.8
The Vice Squad
1931•movie

as Magistrate Tom Morrison

Sunny
6.3
Sunny
1930•movie

as First Ship's Officer

The Lady from Cheyenne
5.7

as Nye Dunbar

Off the Record
6.4
Off the Record
1939•movie

as Scotty

Go Into Your Dance
7.2
Go Into Your Dance
1935•movie

as Tom McGee

The Man Who Walked Alone
5.9

as Governor

Illegal Traffic
6.6
Illegal Traffic
1938•movie

as Dalton

Sing Your Way Home
5.6
Sing Your Way Home
1945•movie

as F.T. Johnson (uncredited)

Shine on Harvest Moon
6.8

as Tim Donovan (uncredited)

Her Mad Night
3.8
Her Mad Night
1932•movie

as District Attorney

Show Them No Mercy!
7.5

as Chief Haggerty (as William Davidson)

Sweet Music
6.8
Sweet Music
1935•movie

as Billie Madison

Sky Devils
5.0
Sky Devils
1932•movie

as Captain

Graft
5.0
Graft
1931•movie

as M.H. Thomas

Love on a Bet
7.0
Love on a Bet
1936•movie

as A.W. Hutchinson

Playboy of Paris
7.0
Playboy of Paris
1930•movie

as Monsieur Bannack (uncredited)

Cradle Snatchers
3.8
Cradle Snatchers
1927•movie

as Roy Ladd

In Person
6.8
In Person
1935•movie

as Director Bill Sutter (uncredited)

Smashing the Money Ring
5.8

as Warden Denby

Friends of Mr. Sweeney
6.8

as Stephen Prime

The Judge Steps Out
6.8

as Colonel Bright (uncredited)

Love on Toast
5.8
Love on Toast
1937•movie

as Jonathan

Private Detective
6.8
Private Detective
1939•movie

as Inspector Evans

Three Girls About Town
6.5

as Labor Leader

Oh, for a Man!
6.2
Oh, for a Man!
1930•movie

as Kerry Stokes

On Trial
6.1
On Trial
1939•movie

as Mr. Gray

Thieves Fall Out
6.0
Thieves Fall Out
1941•movie

as Harrison "Harry" Eckles

The Jury's Secret
5.0
The Jury's Secret
1938•movie

as Page

Scarlet Pages
7.0
Scarlet Pages
1930•movie

as Jackson

Murder on the Waterfront
7.0

as Capt. Towne

Uncle Joe
7.0
Uncle Joe
1941•movie

as Mr. Day

Captain Applejack
7.3
Captain Applejack
1931•movie

as Bill Dennett

The Dumb-Bell
6.3
The Dumb-Bell
1922•movie
Death Flies East
7.0
Death Flies East
1935•movie

as Police Captain Barrie

Ding Dong Williams
7.5
Ding Dong Williams
1946•movie

as Mr. Saul Dana

Charter Pilot
7.7
Charter Pilot
1940•movie

as Mr. Wentworth

That's My Man
6.7
That's My Man
1947•movie

as Steward

Honeymoon in Bali
7.5
Honeymoon in Bali
1939•movie

as Store Detective

Maryland
6.5
Maryland
1940•movie

as John Addison

The Secret Call
7.7
The Secret Call
1931•movie

as Jim Blake

Sudden Money
7.0
Sudden Money
1939•movie

as Sam

See My Lawyer
7.3
See My Lawyer
1945•movie

as Judge

San Francisco Docks
7.3

as Dist. Atty. Craig

Granny Get Your Gun
5.7

as Fitzgerald

The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
6.0

as Charles (as William Davidson)

The White Raven
5.5
The White Raven
1917•movie

as The Stranger

The Lifted Veil
1.0
The Lifted Veil
1917•movie

as Malcolm Grant

Paradise Isle
6.0
Paradise Isle
1937•movie

as Hoener

Sergeant Murphy
6.0
Sergeant Murphy
1938•movie

as Maj. Gruff (uncredited)

The Pride of the Legion
7.0

as Sgt. Arnold

Marry the Girl
6.5
Marry the Girl
1937•movie

as Drake

Florian
4.5
Florian
1940•movie

as Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The Plainsman and the Lady
6.0

as Russell

Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
8.0

as Ellory Bugs

Hello, Everybody!
7.0
Hello, Everybody!
1933•movie

as Mr. Parker

Guilty or Not Guilty
7.0

as Chief

A Man from Wyoming
8.0
A Man from Wyoming
1930•movie

as Major

Murder by an Aristocrat
5.0

as Bayard Thatcher

Cowboy from Brooklyn
7.0

as Mr. 'W.P.' Alvey

The Big Noise
7.5
The Big Noise
1936•movie

as Welford Andrews

Three Sons o' Guns
7.0
Three Sons o' Guns
1941•movie

as Henry Baxter

Calaboose
7.0
Calaboose
1943•movie

as Sheriff George Lane (as William Davidson)

The Singing Kid
7.0
The Singing Kid
1936•movie

as Barney Hammond

A Night at the Ritz
6.5

as Connolly

How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 2: 'Chip Shots'
7.5
Careful, Soft Shoulders
6.5

as Mr. Aldrich

Men Are Like That
8.5
Men Are Like That
1930•movie

as Frank Hyland

Sailor's Lady
6.5
Sailor's Lady
1940•movie

as Judge Hinsdale

Over the Wall
8.0
Over the Wall
1943•movie

as Warden Ed

Truck Busters
7.0
Truck Busters
1943•movie

as Stephen S. Gray

Sandy Gets Her Man
6.5
Sandy Gets Her Man
1940•movie

as Councilman Charles J. Clark

You May Be Next!
4.8
You May Be Next!
1936•movie

as Official (uncredited)

MGM Parade
7.5
1 eps
MGM Parade
1955•series
The Good Fellows
8.0
The Good Fellows
1943•movie

as Blake

Hidden Power
10.0
Hidden Power
1939•movie

as Foster

The Pretenders
9.0
The Pretenders
1916•movie

as Joseph Bailey (as William Davidson)

Lure of Ambition
10.0
Lure of Ambition
1919•movie

as Hon. Cyril Ralston

In Pursuit of Polly
7.5

as Larry O'Malley

Good Morning, Judge
8.0

as Elton (as William Davidson)

Queen of the Night Clubs
8.0

as Assistant District Attorney (as William Davidson)

Dangerously Yours
7.0
Dangerously Yours
1933•movie

as George Carr

Hearts and Spurs
10.0
Hearts and Spurs
1925•movie

as Victor Dufresne

Ports of Call
7.0
Ports of Call
1925•movie

as Randolph Sherman

Tell It to a Star
10.0
Tell It to a Star
1945•movie

as Brannigan

The Carnation Kid
10.0
The Carnation Kid
1929•movie

as Blythe

Partners of the Night
10.0

as Robert Clifford

Fatal Lady
10.0
Fatal Lady
1936•movie

as Detective (uncredited)

Cocoanut Grove
9.0
Cocoanut Grove
1938•movie

as Hawtrey

Melody for Two
7.0
Melody for Two
1937•movie

as Mr. Hale

Adam and Eva
8.0
Adam and Eva
1923•movie

as Dr. Delamater

The Last Trail
9.0
The Last Trail
1927•movie

as Kurt Morley

The Girl from Nowhere
10.0

as Jimmy Ryder

On Their Own
8.0
On Their Own
1940•movie

as Judge Bull

A Woman There Was
8.0
A Woman There Was
1919•movie

as Rev. Winthrop Stark

Over My Dead Body
8.0
Over My Dead Body
1942•movie

as Crole (as William Davidson)

Mary Lawson's Secret
8.0

as Dr. Brundage

Always Faithful
9.0
Always Faithful
1929•movie

as George W. Mason

The Costello Case
8.0
The Costello Case
1930•movie

as Saunders

Behind the Mike
8.0
Behind the Mike
1937•movie

as Cyrus Wittles

Let Them Live
8.0
Let Them Live
1937•movie

as The Editor

Recompense
8.0
Recompense
1925•movie

as Col. Donovan

Impossible Catherine
7.0

as John Henry Jackson

The Billion Dollar Scandal

as Jim Lawrence

Blaze o' Glory
7.0
Blaze o' Glory
1929•movie

as District Attorney (as William Davidson)

Dorian's Divorce
7.0
Dorian's Divorce
1916•movie

as Henry Morgan (as William Davidson)

A Gentleman of Paris
8.0

as Henri Dufour

The Valley of Doubt
8.0

as Macy

Her Second Husband
8.0
Her Second Husband
1917•movie

as John Kirby

American Maid
7.0
American Maid
1917•movie

as David Starr

Redheads on Parade
9.0
Redheads on Parade
1935•movie

as Theatre Manager

Straight from the Heart
9.0

as Prosecuting Attorney

The Gold Cure
7.0
The Gold Cure
1919•movie

as Michael Darcy

A Magdalene of the Hills
10.0

as Bud Weaver

The Child of Destiny
10.0

as Calvin Baker

Nobody
7.0
Nobody
1921•movie

as John Rossmore

The Storm Daughter
9.0
The Storm Daughter
1924•movie

as Rennert

The Honeymoon's Over
8.0

as Crane

Women and Gold
9.0
Women and Gold
1925•movie

as Señor Ortego

The Call of Her People

as Nicholas Van Kleet

The Greatest Power
The Greatest Power
1917•movie

as John Conrad

La belle Russe
La belle Russe
1919•movie

as Brand

A Yellow Streak
A Yellow Streak
1915•movie

as Jack Rader

For the Honor of the Crew

as Robert Brent

In the Diplomatic Service

as Lynn Hardi

The Price of Malice

as Capt. Mills

Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her

as Self (archive footage)

Why I Would Not Marry

as Undetermined Role

The Capitol
The Capitol
1919•movie

as Congressman Blake

Persuasive Peggy
Persuasive Peggy
1917•movie

as Ed Trowbridge

Ashes of Love
Ashes of Love
1918•movie
Lady Barnacle
Lady Barnacle
1917•movie

as Krishna Dhwaj

Our Little Wife
Our Little Wife
1918•movie

as Dr. Elliott

Friend Husband
Friend Husband
1918•movie

as John Sparr

More Truth Than Poetry

as Allen Danby