Bill Williams
Biography
Bill Williams was an American actor who was born Herman August Wilhelm Katt in Brooklyn and, after attending the Pratt Institute, worked as a professional swimmer in underwater shows before taking a walk-on as an usher in King Kong (1933). He served in the Army during World War II and made his credited screen debut in Murder in the Blue Room in 1944, then landed a starring role in Deadline at Dawn (1946) with Susan Hayward. After ten films he took the title role in The Adventures of Kit Carson, a western series that ran for 105 episodes from 1951 to 1955. His career picked up again in 1957 when he starred alongside Betty White in Date with the Angels, and in The Scarface Mob (1959), the pilot for ABC's The Untouchables, he played the agent Martin Flaherty, a part recast once the show was picked up. He died in 1992.
77years old at death
- Born Brooklyn
- Died Burbank
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Hermann August Wilhelm Katt (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 15
- Career span
- 31 years1944 to 1975
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A role that slipped away
Bill Williams turned down the lead in the 1958 television series Sea Hunt because he thought an underwater show would fail. Lloyd Bridges took the part and made it a hit.
A role that slipped away
In The Scarface Mob, the 1959 pilot for ABC's The Untouchables, Williams took the part of Federal agent Martin Flaherty. Once the series was accepted, Jerry Paris was given that role instead.
A change of course
Williams attended the Pratt Institute, and he went on to work as a professional swimmer who took part in underwater shows.
First role
Bill Williams got a small part in King Kong, the 1933 movie, playing a theater usher. It was a walk-on role.
About the name
Williams used the professional name Bill Williams for his credited debut in Murder in the Blue Room in 1944, and his first starring role came opposite Susan Hayward in Deadline at Dawn in 1946.
Bill Williams movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Phil Karlson directed two of these films. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Robert Mitchum's page
Barbara Hale's page
Fred Aldrich's page
Lloyd Corrigan's page
Harry von Zell's page
Phil KarlsonDirector, 2 films, 1959 to 1960
All films by Phil Karlson
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.