About William Dear
Born 1943. William Dear is a Canadian film director, screenwriter, film producer, actor and director.
William Dear (born November 30, 1943) is a Canadian actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He is known for directing the films Harry and the Hendersons, If Looks Could Kill, Angels in the Outfield, Wild America, and Santa Who?.
He has directed episodes of the television series Saturday Night Live, Television Parts, Amazing Stories, Dinosaurs, Covington Cross, and The Wannabes Starring Savvy.
Dear was born on November 30, 1943, in Toronto, Ontario. He transitioned into feature film work in the late 1970s when he was hired as a second unit director by Paul Schrader for his films Blue Collar and Hardcore. Dear directed his first major production, Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann for Pacific Arts after he had impressed founder Michael Nesmith with the musical short he directed for Nesmith's song "Rio".
Filmography Director Nymph (1973) Northville Cemetery Massacre (1976) PopClips (1980) Elephant Parts (1981) Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982) Harry and the Hendersons (1987) If Looks Could Kill (1991) Journey to the Center of the Earth (1993) Angels in the Outfield (1994) Wild America (1997) Balloon Farm (1999) Santa Who? (2000) School of Life (2005) Simon Says (2006) The Foursome (2006) The Sandlot: Heading Home (2007) Free Style (2008) The Perfect Game (2009) Mr. Troop Mom (2009) Politics of Love (2011) A Mile in His Shoes (2011)
Actor Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982) - 3rd Technician Harry and the Hendersons (1987) - Sighting Man Darkman (1990) - Limo Driver If Looks Could Kill (1991) - Bomb Tester Angels in the Outfield (1994) - Toronto Manager Midnight Stallion (2013) - Whip T. Vicker Razor (2017) - Bill
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Important facts
People in William Dear's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Dear's
Frequently asked questions
Who is William Dear?
film director
When was William Dear born?
William Dear was born on 30 November 1943 in Toronto.
What is William Dear's occupation?
William Dear is a film director, screenwriter, film producer, actor and director.
What nationality is William Dear?
William Dear is Canadian.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Dear. https://biography.guide/william-dear/
MLA: "William Dear." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-dear/.
Chicago: "William Dear." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-dear/.
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