William "Stage" Boyd

William H. Boyd (December 18, 1886 in New York City, New York – March 20, 1935 in Los Angeles, California) was an American actor billed as William "Stage" Boyd or William Stage Boyd.

Biography

Boyd was an early 20th century stage actor who appeared in two Broadway plays and then worked in motion pictures. To avoid confusion with the better-known performer working under the same name, William Boyd (best known for playing Hopalong Cassidy), Boyd adopted the name William "Stage" Boyd to emphasize his experience on the legitimate stage. Such experience was considered an advantage to an actor after the introduction of talking pictures.

Boyd's arrests for alcohol possession (during Prohibition) and drug possession damaged his career and that of the other William Boyd. Many newspapers reported the arrests, but published photos of the wrong William Boyd, who lost his studio contract with RKO.

Boyd's first wife, Margaret Christiansen, later married theatrical producer Harry Frazee, the one-time owner of the Boston Red Sox who is best remembered for selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1913 The Star of India 1915 Stop Thief! Dr. Willoughby 1915 The Ringtailed Rhinoceros Prime Minister 1916 The Kiss of Hate Isaac Lost film1918 Marriages Are Made Max Rupholdt 1918 Virtuous Wives Monte Bracken 1920 Blackbirds Detective Lost film1929 The Locked Door Lawrence Reagan 1930 The Benson Murder Case Harry Gray 1930 Those Who Dance Diamond Joe Jennings 1930 The Storm Burr Winton 1930 The Spoilers Alec McNamara 1930 Derelict Jed Graves 1931 The Gang Buster 'Sudden Mike' Slade 1931 Gun Smoke Kedge Darvis 1931 City Streets McCoy 1931 Murder by the Clock Lt. Valcour 1931 The Road to Reno Jerry Kenton 1931 The False Madonna Dr. Ed Marcy 1932 Sky Devils Sgt. Hogan 1932 The Wiser Sex Harry Evans 1932 State's Attorney Valentine 'Vanny' Powers 1932 The Painted Woman Captain Boynton 1932 Madison Square Garden Sloane 1932 Midnight Warning Thorwaldt Cornish 1932 Rasputin and the Empress Comrade General Uncredited1933 Oliver Twist Bill Sikes 1933 Laughing at Life Inspector Mason 1933 The Chief Dan 'Danny' O'Rourke 1933 The House on 56th Street Bonelli 1934 The Girl from Missouri George - Eadie's Stepfather Uncredited1934 Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round Joe Saunders 1935 Night Life of the Gods Mulligan 1935 The Lost City Zolok Serial. Final film role