William Collier Jr.

William Collier Jr. (born Charles F. Gall Jr.; February 12, 1902 – February 5, 1987) 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 (nicknamed "Buster") 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 (the two did share a resemblance) 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 (1916).

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 (1916) - Billy Andrews Never Again (1916, Short) Back Stage (1919, Short) - Minor Role (uncredited) The Servant Question (1920) - Jack Merrick The Soul of Youth (1920) - Dick Armstrong Everybody's Sweetheart (1920) - John The Heart of Maryland (1921) - Lloyd Calvert The Girl from Porcupine (1921) - Jim McTvish At the Stage Door (1921) - Arthur Bates Cardigan (1922) - Michael Cardigan The Good Provider (1922) - Izzy Binswanger The Secrets of Paris (1922) - François Enemies of Women (1923) - Gaston Sinner or Saint (1923) - Young Artist Loyal Lives (1923) - Terrence The Age of Desire (1923) - Ranny - Age 21 Pleasure Mad (1923) - Howard Benton Leave It to Gerry (1924) - Dan Forbes Fools Highway (1924) - Max Davidson The Sea Hawk (1924) - Marsak Wine of Youth (1924) - Max Cooper The Mine with the Iron Door (1924) - Chico Great Diamond Mystery (1924) - Perry Standish The Lighthouse by the Sea (1924) - Bob Dorn The Devil's Cargo (1925) - John Joyce The Reckless Sex (1925) - Juan Eve's Secret (1925) - Pierre The Verdict (1925) - Jimmy Mason Playing with Souls (1925) - Matthew Dale Jr. The Wanderer (1925) - Jether The Lucky Lady (1926) - Clarke The Rainmaker (1926) - Bobby Robertson The Lady of the Harem (1926) - Rafi God Gave Me Twenty Cents (1926) - Barney Tapman Just Another Blonde (1926) - Scotty The Broken Gate (1927) - Don Lane Backstage (1927) - Owen Mackay Convoy (1927) - John Dodge The Sunset Derby (1927) - Jimmy Burke Dearie (1927) - Stephen Darling Stranded (1927) - Johnny Nash The Desired Woman (1927) - Lieutenant Larry Trent The College Widow (1927) - Billy Bolton So This Is Love? (1928) - Jerry McGuire The Tragedy of Youth (1928) - Dick Wayne A Night of Mystery (1928) - Jérôme D'Egremont The Lion and the Mouse (1928) - Jefferson Ryder Women They Talk About (1928) - Steve Harrison Beware of Bachelors (1928) - Ed The Floating College (1928) - George Dewey The Red Sword (1929) - Paul One Stolen Night (1929) - Bob Tide of Empire (1929) - Romauldo Guerrero Hardboiled Rose (1929) - Edward Malo The Donovan Affair (1929) - Cornish The Bachelor Girl (1929) - Jimmy New Orleans (1929) - Billy Slade Two Men and a Maid (1929) - Jim Oxford The College Coquette (1929) - Tom Marion The Show of Shows (1929) - Performer in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number Lummox (1930) - Wally Wallenstein The Melody Man (1930) - Al Tyler A Royal Romance (1930) - John Hale New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930) - Conrad Sterling Rain or Shine (1930) - Bud Conway The March of Time (1930) - Himself Reducing (1931) - Johnnie Beasley Little Caesar (1931) - Tony Passa Cimarron (1931) - The Kid Broadminded (1931) - Jack Hackett Bought (1931) - Reporter (uncredited) Street Scene (1931) - Sam Kaplan The Big Gamble (1931) - Johnnie Ames Sporting Chance (1931) - Terry Nolan Soul of the Slums (1931) - Jerry Harris The Secret Witness (1931) - Arthur Jones - aka Casey Dancers in the Dark (1932) - Floyd Stevens The County Fair (1932) - Jimmie Dolan The Phantom Express (1932) - Bruce Harrington Exposed (1932) - Jim Harper The Fighting Gentleman (1932) - Jack Duncan aka The Fighting Gentleman Speed Demon (1932) - 'Speed' Morrow Behind Jury Doors (1932) - Steve Mannon File 113 (1933) - Prosper Botomy Forgotten (1933) - Joseph Meyers The Story of Temple Drake (1933) - Toddy Gowan Her Secret (1933) - Johnny Norton Public Stenographer (1934) - James 'Jimmy' Martin Jr. The People's Enemy (1935) - Tony Falcone (final film role)