William Austin (actor)
William Crosby Percy Austin was an English character actor. He was the first actor to play Alfred in a Batman adaptation.
Early years
William Austin was born in Georgetown in British Guiana. His parents were Charles Percy Austin and Rosalie Ann Sarah Austin. On the death of his father, he was brought to the United Kingdom to complete his education. He was the brother of actor Albert Austin.
Austin attended Reading College in England and gained theatrical experience via Little Theatre and Drama Shop plays.
Career
Austin filled a business post in Shanghai and on being sent to San Francisco by the company he worked for, he decided to stay in America and take up acting on the stage and later in films. Beginning in 1919, Austin acted at the Morosco Theatre in Los Angeles for three years. He began working in films in 1922.
He appeared in many American films and serials between the 1920s and the 1940s, though the vast majority of his roles were small and uncredited. Of the silent films Austin appeared in, he is best remembered as the sidekick friend of Clara Bow in Bow's best known film It. He supported Laurel and Hardy in two of their films, Duck Soup and County Hospital.
Austin worked as a film editor from 1928 to 1930, primarily working with Westerns.
Batman
Austin portrayed Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in the 1943 Batman serial. Previous to being played by Austin, the character was fat and had no facial hair. Performed by Austin, the character was thin with a moustache. Shortly after the serial was released, Alfred in the comics was changed to match the look of the serial, which has remained consistent since.
Death
Austin died at his home in Newport Beach, California, on 15 June 1975, three days after his 91st birthday, from complications following a stroke. He was buried in Pacific View Memorial Park Cemetery, Corona del Mar, Newport Beach.
Selected filmography
Common Sense – Reggie BarrettHandle with Care – Peter CarterThe Cowboy King – WilburRich Men's Wives – ReggieRuggles of Red Gap – Mr. Belknap–JacksonThe Reckless Age – Lord HarrowbyThe Garden of Weeds – ArchieIn Love with Love – George SearsThe Night Club – Gerly – The ValetWho Cares – Dr. Harry OldershawHead Winds – Theodore Van FeltSeven Days – Dal BrownThe Best People – Arthur RockmereThe Fate of a Flirt – RiggsWhat Happened to Jones – Henry FullerThe Far Cry – Eric LancefieldFig Leaves – André's AssistantCollegiate – G. Horace CrumbleighHer Big Night – Harold CrosbyWest of Broadway – Mortimer AllisonThe Flaming Forest – Alfred WimbledonOne Hour of Love – Louis CarruthersIt – 'Monty' MontgomeryRitzy – AlgyThe World at Her Feet – Det. HallSwim Girl, Swim – Mr. Spangle, PhDSilk Stockings – George BagnallThe Small Bachelor Honeymoon Hate – Banning–GreenDrums of Love – Raymond of BostonRed Hair – Dr. Eustace GillThe Fifty-Fifty Girl – EngineerJust Married – Percy JonesSomeone to Love – Aubrey WeemsWhat a Night! – Percy PenfieldThe Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu – Sylvester WadsworthIllusion – Mr. ZSweetie – Prof. WillowThe Marriage Playground – Lord WrenchEmbarrassing Moments – Jasper HicksonThe Man from Blankley's – Mr. PoffleyThe Return of Dr. Fu Manchu – Sylvester WadsworthThe Flirting Widow – James RaleighLet's Go Native – Basil PistolAlong Came Youth – EustaceA Tailor Made Man – JellicottCorsair – Richard BentinckHigh Society – Wilberforce StrangewaysDon't Be a Dummy – Lord Tony ProbusThe Private Life of Henry VIII – Duke of ClevesAlice in Wonderland – GryphonThree Men in a Boat – HarrisOnce to Every Bachelor – MathewsThe Gay Divorcee – Cyril GlossopThirty-Day Princess Redheads on Parade – Trelawney RedfernThe Goose and the Gander – Arthur Summers$1000 a Minute – SalesmanRenfrew of the Royal Mounted – Constable KellyDoctor Rhythm – Mr. Martingale The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Inquisitive StrangerCharley's Aunt – Cricket Match SpectatorBatman – Alfred Beagle My Kingdom for a Cook – BrooksThe Return of the Vampire – Detective GannettThe Ghost Goes Wild – Barnaby