Earl Hindman

Earl John Hindman (; October 20, 1942 – December 29, 2003) was an American actor, best known for his roles as Bob Reid on the television soap opera Ryan's Hope from 1975—1984 and 1988–89, and as Wilson W. Wilson on the sitcom Home Improvement from 1991–1999.

Early years Hindman was born in Bisbee, Arizona, the son of Eulena and Burl Latney Hindman, who worked in the oil pipeline business. He studied acting at the University of Arizona.

Career Hindman's earliest roles were in low-budget exploitation films in the 1960s, though he moved on to appear in productions from major Hollywood film studios in the 1970s, playing villains in two 1974 thrillers, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three and The Parallax View. He also appeared in the films Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? (1971), Greased Lightning (1977), The Brink's Job (1978), Taps (1981), and Murder in Coweta County (1983). Hindman also played the part of J.T. in the Lawrence Kasdan film Silverado (1985), and the part of Satch in the Leonard Nimoy film Three Men and a Baby (1987).

One of Hindman's well-known early roles was as Bob Reid on the soap opera Ryan's Hope. He played the role from 1975–1984 and later returned for its final episodes in 1988–89. Hindman's wife (Molly McGreevy) was also on the soap from 1977–81 as Polly Longworth, best friend to media tycoon Rae Woodard.

In one of his most famous roles, Hindman played the role of the kindly neighbor Wilson W. Wilson on the television sitcom Home Improvement from 1991–1999. Wilson was only ever partially seen, because of a running gag that only the top of his face was visible as he talked to his neighbor from the other side of a tall fence. In later episodes, Wilson was occasionally seen in other environments outside of his backyard, but something — a mask for a costume, an on-set prop, a large bundle Wilson was carrying — would always block part of his face to the home viewer.

His final roles included the movie Final (2001), and appearances in Law & Order and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Personal life and death On May 21, 1976, Hindman married Molly McGreevy, with whom he later acted in Ryan's Hope. McGreevy later became an Episcopal priest.

Hindman died of lung cancer on December 29, 2003, at the age of 61, in Stamford, Connecticut.

Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes1967 Teenage Mother 1968 The Kiss of Her Flesh Don Credited as "Leo Heinz"1969 The Ultimate Degenerate Bruno Credited as "Leo Heinz"1971 Who Killed Mary What's 'Er Name? Whitey 1974 The Parallax View Deputy Red Shoot It Black, Shoot It Blue Garrity The Taking of Pelham One Two Three George Steever aka Mr. Brown 1977 Greased Lightning Beau Welles 1978 The Brink's Job FBI agent #3 1981 Taps Lieutenant Hanson 1985 Silverado J.T. 1987 Three Men and a Baby Satch 1988 Talk Radio Chet / Black John / Jerry Voice1991 The Ballad of the Sad Café Henry Macy Fires Within Sergeant 2001 Final Official

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes1974 The Doctors Det. Roy Griffin 27 episodes1975–1984, 1988–1989 Ryan's Hope Bob Reid TV series1983 Murder in Coweta County J.H. Potts TV movie1985 Spenser: For Hire Sgt. Clayton Episode: "Resurrection" 1986 The Equalizer Findlay Episode: "Breakpoint" 1986–1987 The Equalizer Lieutenant Elmer 1987 Spenser: For Hire Max Ordella Episode: "Mary Hamilton"1989 War and Remembrance Lt. Commander Wade McClusky TV miniseries1990 Rising Son Victor TV movie1991–1999 Home Improvement Wilson W. Wilson Jr. 203 episodes2000 Law & Order Mr. Riley Episode: "Black, White and Blue"2002 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Sheriff Episode: "The Third Horseman"