William Collier Jr.


William Collier Jr. was an American stage performer, producer, and a film actor who in the silent and sound eras was cast in no fewer than 89 motion pictures.

Biography

William Collier was born in New York City. When his parents divorced, his mother, the actress Paula Marr, remarried the actor William Collier Sr. who adopted Charles and gave the boy the new name William Collier Jr. Collier's acting experience in childhood, having first appeared on stage at age seven, helped him get his first movie role at age 14 in The Bugle Call.
In 1910 his parents were appearing in Denver and Collier was hospitalized with scarlet fever, which was followed by typhoid, but he eventually recovered by the end of the summer and was able to join his parents who were appearing at Elitch Theatre. He appeared in his father's show, The Patriot, as Kid Sugar.
He later became a popular leading man in the 1920s and successfully made the transition from silent into sound film. Nevertheless, he retired from acting in 1935, and in 1937 traveled to England to work as a movie producer. He returned to the United States in the late 1940s and began producing drama series for television. In February 1960, in recognition of his contributions to the entertainment industry, Collier received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Collier died in San Francisco on February 5, 1987, just a week before his 85th birthday.

Selected filmography as an actor

The Bugle Call - Billy AndrewsNever Again Back Stage - Minor Role The Servant Question - Jack MerrickThe Soul of Youth - Dick ArmstrongEverybody's Sweetheart - JohnThe Heart of Maryland - Lloyd CalvertThe Girl from Porcupine - Jim McTvishAt the Stage Door - Arthur BatesCardigan - Michael CardiganThe Good Provider - Izzy BinswangerThe Secrets of Paris - FrançoisEnemies of Women - GastonSinner or Saint - Young ArtistLoyal Lives - TerrenceThe Age of Desire - Ranny - Age 21Pleasure Mad - Howard BentonLeave It to Gerry - Dan ForbesFools Highway - Max DavidsonThe Sea Hawk - MarsakWine of Youth - Max CooperThe Mine with the Iron Door - ChicoGreat Diamond Mystery - Perry StandishThe Lighthouse by the Sea - Bob DornThe Devil's Cargo - John JoyceThe Reckless Sex - JuanEve's Secret - PierreThe Verdict - Jimmy MasonPlaying with Souls - Matthew Dale Jr.The Wanderer - JetherThe Lucky Lady - ClarkeThe Rainmaker - Bobby RobertsonThe Lady of the Harem - RafiGod Gave Me Twenty Cents - Barney TapmanJust Another Blonde - ScottyThe Broken Gate - Don LaneBackstage - Owen MackayConvoy - John DodgeThe Sunset Derby - Jimmy BurkeDearie - Stephen DarlingStranded - Johnny NashThe Desired Woman - Lieutenant Larry TrentThe College Widow - Billy BoltonSo This Is Love? - Jerry McGuireThe Tragedy of Youth - Dick WayneA Night of Mystery - Jérôme D'EgremontThe Lion and the Mouse - Jefferson RyderWomen They Talk About - Steve HarrisonBeware of Bachelors - EdThe Floating College - George DeweyThe Red Sword - PaulOne Stolen Night - BobTide of Empire - Romauldo GuerreroHardboiled Rose - Edward MaloThe Donovan Affair - CornishThe Bachelor Girl - JimmyNew Orleans - Billy SladeTwo Men and a Maid - Jim OxfordThe College Coquette - Tom MarionThe Show of Shows - Performer in 'Bicycle Built for Two' NumberLummox - Wally WallensteinThe Melody Man - Al TylerA Royal Romance - John HaleNew Movietone Follies of 1930 - Conrad SterlingRain or Shine - Bud ConwayThe March of Time - HimselfReducing - Johnnie BeasleyLittle Caesar - Tony PassaCimarron - The KidBroadminded - Jack HackettBought - Reporter Street Scene - Sam KaplanThe Big Gamble - Johnnie AmesSporting Chance - Terry NolanSoul of the Slums - Jerry HarrisThe Secret Witness - Arthur Jones - aka CaseyDancers in the Dark - Floyd StevensThe County Fair - Jimmie DolanThe Phantom Express - Bruce HarringtonExposed - Jim HarperThe Fighting Gentleman - Jack Duncan aka The Fighting GentlemanSpeed Demon - 'Speed' Morrow