Charles Williams (American actor)
Charles Williams 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.
Career
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.
Death
Williams died in 1958 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Selected filmography
The Old Homestead - Gabe WatersAction Galore - Luke McLeanThe Mad Genius - Stagehand Forgotten Women - Jerry - Stagehand Delicious - Honeymooner Dance Team - Benny WeberLetty Lynton - Reporter Strangers of the Evening - 1st PasserbyRadio Patrol - Axe-Murderer Suspect Blondie of the Follies - Mr. Kinskey - Lottie's Friend 70,000 Witnesses - Reporter Faithless - Reporter Madison Square Garden - Reporter at Ringside Flesh - Radio Sports Reporter The Devil Is Driving - Bill Jones Frisco Jenny - Party Guest Central Airport - El Paso Hotel Desk Clerk Made on Broadway - Photographer The Nuisance - Skating Rink Official Gambling Ship - Baby FaceSitting Pretty - A Neighbor Dancing Lady - Man Arrested in Burlesque Theater The Big Shakedown - Man Buying Aspirin This Side of Heaven - Jimmy - Reporter The Crosby Case - Taxi Rider The Show-Off - Smith The Lost Jungle - Cub ReporterA Very Honorable Guy - Druggist Sadie McKee - Pest in Cafe Private Scandal - Reporter The Thin Man - Fighter Manager Now I'll Tell - One of Honey Smith's Boys Friends of Mr. Sweeney - Vender The Cat's-Paw - Reporter The Girl from Missouri - Photographer with Sullivan Dames - Dance Director Woman in the Dark - Hotel Desk ClerkThe Drag-Net - Reporter Rhythm on the Range - Gopher MazdaCharlie Chan at the Race Track - Reporter Hollywood Boulevard - Reporter Wedding Present - Reporter Rose Bowl - Football Player Four Days' Wonder - KaskyArizona Mahoney - Short Cowhand Crack-Up - Reporter Sinner Take All - Minor Role Sing Me a Love Song - Man Listening to Haines Sing Love Is News - Joe BradyEspionage - Simmons Fair Warning - Hotel Clerk History Is Made at Night - Room Service Waiter on Ship Jim Hanvey, Detective - BrackettA Star Is Born - Hanley As Good as Married - Lecturer Turn Off the Moon - BrooksBig Business - Florist Shop Customer Sing and Be Happy - Small Man Flying Fists - Meggs, the ReporterWake Up and Live - Charlie Alberts, AgentThe Lady Escapes - Florist Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938 - Customs Man in Fall Show It Happened in Hollywood - Hymie - Photographer Charlie Chan on Broadway - MeekerBehind the Mike - Crunchie-Munchie Effect Man Sky Racket - Night Club Comedian Partners in Crime - Messenger Stand-In - Mr. Mack Merry-Go-Round of 1938 - Dave ClarkBlossoms on Broadway - Elevator Man Amateur Crook - Drunk WitnessLove and Hisses - Irving SkolskyIn Old Chicago - Secretary / Wedding Witness Man-Proof - Reporter The Lone Ranger - Cub Reporter Born to Be Wild - Company SpotterHollywood Stadium Mystery - JakeMr. Moto's Gamble - Gabby MardenJoy of Living - Pitchman at Recording Studio Alexander's Ragtime Band - AgentThe Marines Are Here - Bartender Men with Wings - Telegraph Operator Little Miss Broadway - Mike BrodyGateway - Reporter Hold That Co-ed - McFinch Just Around the Corner - Candid Cameraman Trade Winds - Reporter Jones Ambush - Hardware Wholesaler Wife, Husband and Friend - JaffeeThe Ice Follies of 1939 - Max Morton The Flying Irishman - Repo Man My Wife's Relatives - Undercover Doctor - Pinky ValkusUnexpected Father - Timid Man Those High Grey Walls - Stranger Sabotage - Minor Role Days of Jesse James - Northern Hotel Clerk Charlie McCarthy, Detective - Peters Women Without Names - Hugh Gilman Johnny Apollo - Photographer Primrose Path - Man in Diner Enemy Agent - Restaurant Patron Girl in 313 - Henry - HusbandGrand Ole Opry - Politician Marked Men - Charlie SloaneYou're the One - Soda JerkThe Great Train Robbery - McCoy Mr. District Attorney - Detective in Café The Lady from Cheyenne - ClerkReaching for the Sun - Truck DriverAngels with Broken Wings - Down in San Diego - Cigar Salesman Flying Cadets - Mr. Prim / Primmie, BookkeeperMelody Lane - Thomas Assistant Don't Get Personal - Shell Game Spectator Blue, White and Perfect - Theodore H. Sherman Jr.- PrinterThe Fleet's In - Photographer Roxie Hart - Photographer Girls' Town - CofferThe Affairs of Jimmy Valentine - The PitchmanThe Great Man's Lady - Assayer Inside the Law - Auctioneer My Favorite Spy - 3rd Speaker in Park One Thrilling Night - Theatre Manager Night in New Orleans - Citizen The Pride of the Yankees - Little Strength Machine Contestant Joan of Ozark - Representative Tales of Manhattan - Orman's Bespectacled Agent Call of the Canyon - Agent Isle of Missing Men - Jo-JoSecrets of the Underground - Hypo-News Photographer Time to Kill - The Dentist Ice-Capades Revue - Menkin Salute for Three - Sailor Chatterbox - Agent Redhead from Manhattan - Box Office Attendant I Escaped from the Gestapo - Secretary Sarong Girl - Mr. ChaseThe West Side Kid - Reporter Nobody's Darling - News Photographer Always a Bridesmaid - SaundersThe Girl from Monterrey - Harry HollisWhere Are Your Children? - Mack - Comical SailorWhispering Footsteps - 2nd Bank Teller Career Girl - Louis HortonSweethearts of the U.S.A. - Mr. PikeRosie the Riveter - Poker Player Song of the Open Road - Man Saying 'It's a Trick' Goodnight, Sweetheart - Reporter Since You Went Away - Man in Cocktail Lounge Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore - Court Recorder Call of the Rockies - Burton WitherspoonAtlantic City - ChalmersKansas City Kitty - George W. Pivet Greenwich Village - Drake - Author A Wave, a WAC and a Marine -Reporter Irish Eyes Are Smiling - Song Promoter End of the Road - JordanLake Placid Serenade - Reporter Gentle Annie - Candy Butcher The Man Who Walked Alone - MoeIdentity Unknown - AuctioneerHollywood and Vine - Chick JonesHoneymoon Ahead - Dinky Out of This World - Joe Welch Scared Stiff - Reporter Hitchhike to Happiness - Park Magician Guest Wife - Photographer Love, Honor and Goodbye - Barker at 'Happy Land' Duffy's Tavern - Smith's Assistant Doll Face - Orville, the Drug Store Clerk A Guy Could Change - Husband The Postman Always Rings Twice - Doctor Rainbow Over Texas - Telegrapher Passkey to Danger - Mr. WilliamsWithout Reservations - Louis Burt Do You Love Me - Bellhop with Box of Roses Joe Palooka, Champ - Mr. Polonski Our Hearts Were Growing Up - Cab Driver Deadline for Murder - Pat - Photographer A Boy, a Girl and a Dog - Mr. StoneNight and Day - Music Store Customer Red River Renegades - Clerk Queen of Burlesque - Carr - Hotel Clerk Two Guys from Milwaukee - Soundman Lady Chaser - Apartment House ManagerHeldorado - Carnival JudgeIt's a Wonderful Life - Cousin EustaceYankee Fakir - Cad Saddle Pals - LeslieThe Trespasser - Doorkeeper The Spirit of West Point - Bill Her Husband's Affairs - Cruise Line Clerk Heading for Heaven - Eddie WilliamsMy Wild Irish Rose - Husband April Showers - Stage Manager Half Past Midnight - Little Man Outside Apartment Hazard - Little Man in his CarThe Dude Goes West - Harris Marshal of Amarillo - Hiram ShortTexas, Brooklyn and Heaven - Reporter Embraceable You - Albert Martin, Realtor Good Sam - Little Man The Strange Mrs. Crane - McLeanParole, Inc. - Titus JonesThe Accused - Dorgan's Assistant The Judge - ReporterGrand Canyon - BertArson, Inc. - Bookie Task Force - Luggage Salesman The Woman on Pier 13 - Speaker in Park Paid in Full - Painter in Nursery Counterspy Meets Scotland Yard - Taxi Driver The Missourians - Walt - PostmasterGasoline Alley - MortieLullaby of Broadway - Reporter Kentucky Jubilee - Yes ManAccording to Mrs. Hoyle - CharlieCriminal Lawyer - Juror Painting the Clouds with Sunshine - Husband A Millionaire for Christy - Reporter with Glasses Corky of Gasoline Alley - Morty Has Anybody Seen My Gal? - Reporter She's Working Her Way Through College - Waiter The Magnetic Monster - CabbieMain Street to Broadway - Bartender The Twinkle in God's Eye - Assayer A Lawless Street - Mr. Willis Fighting Trouble - Smoggy Smith