Willard Waterman

Biography

Willard Waterman was an American character actor who worked in radio, film, television and on the stage, remembered best for stepping into the title role of The Great Gildersleeve. Born in Madison, he attended the University of Wisconsin, where student plays ended his plan to become an engineer and he picked up radio experience at the campus station. His first broadcasting job came at WIBA in Madison, and by early 1936 he was with NBC in Chicago, where his credits included Chicago Theater of the Air and several soap operas. In 1950 he took over as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve after Harold Peary left, remaining on radio until 1957 and in a short-lived television version. His film work included Auntie Mame (1958), Riding High (1950) and The Apartment (1960). He later appeared on Broadway in Mame and The Pajama Game, had many television guest roles, and in 1980 received a Clio Award for a Sony radio commercial.

80years old at death

Born August 29, 1914Madison
Died February 2, 1995Burlingame
Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
Also credited as Willard Lewis Waterman

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 10 years1950 to 1960

Every film, newest first

1960The ApartmentIMDb rating 8.3
1958Auntie MameIMDb rating 7.9
1956Hollywood or BustIMDb rating 6.4
1950Mystery StreetIMDb rating 7.2
1950Riding HighIMDb rating 6.3

Genres

Did you know?!

Big break
Waterman took over as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve on The Great Gildersleeve in 1950 after Harold Peary left over an ownership stake, and Kraft hired Waterman rather than move the show to CBS.
First role
Waterman's radio career started at WIBA in Madison, where he sang in a quartet that provided musical interludes between programs, and by early 1936 he had moved to NBC in Chicago.
Early training
Waterman attended the University of Wisconsin in the mid-1930s, acted in student plays, was a friend of Uta Hagen, and gained radio experience at the university's station WHA, which ended his plan to be an engineer.
Behind the award
After 1973 Waterman had mostly left acting behind, but in 1980 he was in a Sony radio commercial called "Boss and Peterson" and won a Clio Award for it.