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William Morris

1861 – 1936

American actor

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About William Morris

Lived 1861 – 1936 (aged 75). William Morris was an American actor, film actor and stage actor.

William Henry Morris (January 1, 1861 – January 11, 1936) was an American stage and film actor.

Career

He began his career as a teenager in the theater, first appearing at the Boston Museum in 1875. He became a star on the Broadway stage, where he spent most of his career. He appeared in popular plays such as 1909's Is Matrimony a Failure? He was a character actor in silent films, usually playing gruff fathers or bad guys.

His appearance in Alice Guy's 1917 silent film The Ocean Waif, from Kino DVD, is an example of Morris's surviving screen work.

Personal life

He was married to actress Etta Hawkins, with whom he had five children: screenwriter-actor Gordon Morris (1898–1940), actors Chester Morris (1901–1970) and Adrian Morris (1907–1941), and actress Wilhelmina Morris (1902–1971). Their first child, Lloyd Morris, died young (1892–1902).

Selected filmography Year Title Role Notes 1916 Romeo and Juliet Abraham 1930 Brothers Dr. MooreThe Convict's CodeTheodore Perry1931 The Woman Between Frederick Weston The Gang Buster Andrew Martine

Selected stage appearances Men and Women (1890) Is Matrimony a Failure? (1909) The Concert (1910) The Family Cupboard (1913) Cheating Cheaters (1916)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
William Henry Morris

Family & relationships

Spouse
Etta Hawkins
Child
Chester Morris

People in William Morris's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Morris's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Morris?

American actor (1861-1936)

When was William Morris born?

William Morris was born on 1 January 1861 in Boston.

When did William Morris die?

William Morris died on 11 January 1936 in Los Angeles.

What was William Morris's occupation?

William Morris was an actor, film actor and stage actor.

What nationality was William Morris?

William Morris was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Morris

· Wikidata: Q11169604

· DBpedia: William Morris (actor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Morris. https://biography.guide/william-morris-actor/

MLA: "William Morris." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-morris-actor/.

Chicago: "William Morris." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-morris-actor/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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