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Bill Elliott

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
208

Gender
Male

Birthday
October 16, 1904 (121 years old)

Place of Birth
Pattonsburg, Missouri, USA

Bill Elliott

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wild Bill Elliott (October 16, 1904 – November 26, 1965) was an American film actor. He specialized in playing the rugged heroes of B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series of films. By 1925, he was getting occasional extra work in films. He took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse and appeared in a few stage roles there. By 1927, he had made his first Western, The Arizona Wildcat, playing his first featured role. Several co-starring roles followed, and he renamed himself Gordon Elliott. But as the studios made the transition to sound films, he slipped back into roles as an extra and bit parts, as in Broadway Scandals, in 1929. For the next eight years, he appeared in over a hundred films for various studios, but almost always in unbilled parts as an extra.

Elliott began to be noticed in some minor B Westerns, enough so that Columbia Pictures offered him the title role in a serial, The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1938). The serial was so successful, and Elliott so personable, that Columbia promoted him to starring in his own series of Western features, replacing Columbia's number-two cowboy star Robert "Tex" Allen. Henceforth Gordon Elliott would be known as Bill Elliott. Within two years, he was among the Motion Picture Herald's Top Ten Western Stars, where he would remain for the next 15 years.

In 1943, Elliott signed with Republic Pictures, which cast him in a series of Westerns alongside George "Gabby" Hayes. The first of these, Calling Wild Bill Elliott, gave Elliott the name by which he would be best known and by which he would be billed almost exclusively for the rest of his career.

Following several films in which both actor and character shared the name Wild Bill Elliott, he took the role for which he would be best remembered, that of Red Ryder in a series of sixteen movies about the famous comic strip cowboy and his young Indian companion, Little Beaver (played in Elliott's films by Bobby Blake). Elliott played the role for only two years but would forever be associated with it. Elliott's trademark was a pair of six guns worn butt-forward in their holsters.

Elliott's career thrived during and after the Red Ryder films, and he continued making B Westerns into the early 1950s. He also had his own radio show during the late 1940s. His final contract as a Western star was with Monogram Pictures, where budgets declined as the B Western lost its audience to television. When Monogram became Allied Artists Pictures Corporation in 1953, it phased out its Western productions, and Elliott finished out his contract playing a homicide detective in a series of five modern police dramas, his first non-Westerns since 1938.

Elliott retired from films (except for a couple of TV Western pilots which were not picked up). He worked for a time as a spokesman for Viceroy cigarettes and hosted a local TV program in Las Vegas, Nevada, which featured many of his Western films.

Known For

Acting

1976Meanwhile, Back at the Ranchas (archive footage)
1976It's Showtimeas Self (archive footage)
1975Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)
1968Adam-12as Officer Grant
1957Footsteps in the Nightas Andy Doyle
1957Chain of Evidenceas Andy Doyle
1956Calling Homicideas Andy Doyle
1955Sudden Dangeras Andy Doyle
1955Dial Red Oas Andy Flynn / Andy Doyle
1954The Forty-Ninersas Sam Nelson
1954Bitter Creekas Clay Tyndall
1953Vigilante Terroras Tack Hamlin
1953Topekaas Jim Levering
1953Rebel Cityas Frank Graham
1953The Homesteadersas Mace Corbin
1952The Maverickas Pete Devlin
1952Fargoas Bill Martin
1952Kansas Territoryas Joe Daniels
1952Wacoas Matt Boone
1951The Longhornas Jim Kirk
1950The Showdownas Shadrach Jones
1950The Savage Hordeas Ringo
1950The Marshall of Trail Cityas Wild Bill Elliott
1949Hellfireas Zeb Smith
1949The Last Banditas Frank Norris / Frank Plummer
1948The Gallant Legionas Gary Conway
1948Old Los Angelesas Bill Stockton
1947The Fabulous Texanas Josie Allen
1947Wyomingas Charles Alderson
1946The Plainsman and the Ladyas Sam Colton
1946Conquest of Cheyenneas Red Ryder
1946In Old Sacramentoas Johnny Barrett / Spanish Jack
1946Sun Valley Cycloneas Red Ryder
1946Sheriff of Redwood Valleyas Red Ryder
1946California Gold Rushas Red Ryder
1945Wagon Wheels Westwardas Red Ryder
1945Colorado Pioneersas Red Ryder
1945Marshal of Laredoas Red Ryder
1945Phantom of the Plainsas Red Ryder
1945Bells of Rosaritaas Wild Bill Elliott
1945Lone Texas Rangeras Red Ryder
1945Great Stagecoach Robberyas Red Ryder
1944Sheriff of Las Vegasas Red Ryder
1944Vigilantes of Dodge Cityas Red Ryder
1944Cheyenne Wildcatas Red Ryder
1944San Antonio Kidas Red Ryder
1944Marshal of Renoas Red Ryder
1944Tucson Raidersas Red Ryder
1944Hidden Valley Outlawsas Bill Elliott
1944Mojave Firebrandas Wild Bill Elliott
1943Death Valley Manhuntas Wild Bill Elliott
1943Overland Mail Robberyas Wild Bill Elliott
1943Wagon Tracks Westas Wild Bill Elliott
1943Bordertown Gun Fightersas Wild Bill Elliott
1943The Man from Thunder Riveras Wild Bill Elliott
1943Calling Wild Bill Elliottas Wild Bill Elliott
1942The Valley of Vanishing Menas Wild Bill Tolliver
1942Vengeance of the Westas Joaquin Murietta aka The Black Shadow
1942Prairie Gunsmokeas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1942The Devil's Trailas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1942North of the Rockiesas Sergeant Bill Cameron
1942Bullets for Banditsas 'Wild' Bill Hickok / Prince Katey
1942The Lone Star Vigilantesas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1941Roaring Frontiersas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1941King of Dodge Cityas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1941The Son of Davy Crockettas Dave Crockett
1941Hands Across the Rockiesas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1941Tank Patrolas Bluey
1941The Return of Daniel Booneas Wild Bill Boone
1941North from the Lone Staras 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1941Across the Sierrasas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1940The Wildcat of Tucsonas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1940Beyond the Sacramentoas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1940Prairie Schoonersas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1940The Return of Wild Billas Wild Bill Saunders
1940The Man from Tumbleweedsas Wild Bill Saunders
1940Pioneers of the Frontieras Wild Bill Saunders
1939Taming of the Westas Wild Bill Saunders
1939The Roaring Twentiesas Bootlegger (uncredited)
1939Overland with Kit Carsonas Kit Carson
1939The Law Comes to Texasas John Haynes
1939Lone Star Pioneersas Pat Barret
1939Frontiers of '49as John Freeman
1938In Early Arizonaas Whit Gordon
1938Letter of Introductionas Backgammon Man (uncredited)
1938The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickokas 'Wild' Bill Hickok
1938The Lady in the Morgueas Chauncey Courtland
1938Boy of the Streetsas Dr. Allan
1937Love Takes Flightas Bill Parker
1937Roll Along, Cowboyas Odie Fenton
1937Boots and Saddlesas Jim Neale
1937Wife, Doctor and Nurseas Bruce Thomas
1937You Can't Have Everythingas Lulu's Bathing Companion (uncredited)
1937Michael O'Halloranas Little Lord Fauntleroy (uncredited)
1937Speed to Spareas Steve Fellows
1937Melody for Twoas Walter Wilson
1937Swing It Professoras Randall
1937Midnight Courtas City Attorney Seabrook
1936Guns of the Pecosas Wellman, a Dude
1936King of Hockeyas 2nd Radio Announcer
1936Fugitive in the Skyas Ramon Duval
1936Polo Joeas Don Trumbeau
1936The Case of the Black Catas Sam Laxter
1936Down the Stretchas Robert Bates
1936Trailin' Westas Jefferson Duane
1936China Clipperas Pilot (uncredited)
1936Two Against the Worldas News Commentator (uncredited)
1936The Case of the Velvet Clawsas Carl Griffin
1936The Big Noiseas Sharp, Board of Directors Member (uncredited)
1936Murder by an Aristocratas Dave Thatcher
1936Bullets or Ballotsas Hunter - Bank Worker (uncredited)
1936Romance in the Airas Announcer
1936The Walking Deadas
1936The Murder of Dr. Harriganas Kenneth Martin
1935Dangerousas
1935Man of Ironas Charlie Fagan
1935Broadway Hostessas Playboy in 'Playboy of Paree' Number (uncredited)
1935Stars Over Broadwayas Minor Role
1935Moonlight on the Prairieas Jeff Holt
1935Personal Maid's Secretas Warren Sherrill
1935Dr. Socratesas Tom Collins - Greer's Associate
1935The Goose and the Ganderas Teddy
1935Page Miss Gloryas Reporter (uncredited)
1935Broadway Gondolieras Reporter
1935Bright Lightsas Backstage Actor
1935The Girl from 10th Avenueas James, Clerk at College Club
1935'G' Menas Bootlegger Who Gives Eddie the Bottle Outside the Club (uncredited)
1935Go Into Your Danceas Jackson's Secretary / Dorothy's Dance Partner
1935Traveling Salesladyas Freddie
1935A Night at the Ritzas Vincent's Assistant (uncredited)
1935While the Patient Sleptas Bank Teller (uncredited)
1935The Woman in Redas Stuart Wyatt
1935The Right to Liveas Wedding Guest
1935The Payoffas Maxine's Casino Escort (uncredited)
1934The Secret Brideas Governor's Secretary (uncredited)
1934Murder in the Cloudsas Lt. Saunders (uncredited)
1934A Lost Ladyas Polo Match Spectator (uncredited)
1934The Case of the Howling Dogas Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited)
1934Desirableas Party Guest
1934The Merry Frinksas Dancer (uncredited)
1934Smartyas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1934Upperworldas Police Photographer (uncredited)
1934Registered Nurseas Male Nurse
1934Wonder Baras Norman (uncredited)
1933Only Yesterdayas New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
1933Stage Motheras Audience Member / Dexter's Party Guest (uncredited)
1933Handlebarsas Bicyclist (uncredited)
1933Midnight Maryas Party Guest (uncredited)
1933Private Detective 62as Man at Roulette Table (Uncredited)
1933Cocktail Houras Party Guest (uncredited)
1933Gold Diggers of 1933as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
1933The Little Giantas Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited)
1933Made on Broadwayas Night Club Patron
1933The Keyholeas Partygoer (uncredited)
1932The Mummyas Party Guest (uncredited)
1932Night After Nightas Escort (uncredited)
1932A Successful Calamityas Polo Player (uncredited)
1932Jewel Robberyas Policeman Following Blonde (uncredited)
1932Bachelor's Affairsas Ship's Passenger / Dance Extra (uncredited)
1932Merrily We Go to Hellas Party Guest (uncredited)
1932The Rich Are Always with Usas Gambler (uncredited)
1932Scarfaceas Man Outside Theatre (uncredited)
1932One Hour with Youas Party Guest (uncredited)
1932Vanity Fairas Bit Role
1932Lady with a Pastas Alex Brown (Uncredited)
1932The Greeks Had a Word for Themas Wedding Guest (uncredited)
1931Deliciousas Larry's Friend
1931Working Girlsas Dance Extra / Lobby Extra (uncredited)
1931West of Broadwayas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1931Platinum Blondeas Ann's Beau (uncredited)
1931Left Over Ladiesas Escort (uncredited)
1931The Road to Renoas Party Boy
1931Blonde Crazyas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1931Traveling Husbandsas Hotel Dining Room Guest
1931Broadmindedas Hotel Guest on Veranda
1931The Public Defenderas Country Club Guest
1931Sweepstakesas Night Club Patron
1931Five and Tenas Wedding Guest (uncredited)
1931Let's Do Thingsas Music Store Customer (uncredited)
1931Party Husbandas Wedding Party Guest
1931Born to Loveas Hotel Dancer (uncredited)
1931God's Gift to Womenas Minor Role (uncredited)
1930Going Wildas Physical Exam Onlooker
1930Part Time Wifeas Golfer (uncredited)
1930Sunnyas One of Tom's War Buddies
1930The Truth About Youthas Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
1930What Men Wantas Party Boy
1930She Who Gets Slappedas Poker Player
1930Born Recklessas Customer at Beretti's
1930The Return of Dr. Fu Manchuas
1930Double Cross Roadsas Party Guest
1930The Girl Said Noas Wedding Guest
1930Lord Byron of Broadwayas Party-Goer
1930She Couldn't Say Noas Gangster
1929Broadway Scandalsas George Halloway
1929Night Paradeas Party Guest
1929The Great Divideas Ruth's Friend (uncredited)
1928Restless Youthas George Baxter
1928The Boy Friendas Gordon Elliot
1928Beyond London Lightsas Colin Drummond
1927The Private Life of Helen of Troyas Telemachus
1927The Arizona Wildcatas Roy Schyler
1927The Drop Kickas Aggressive Student at Dance
1927Children of Divorceas Party Guest (uncredited)
1926Napoleon, Jr.as Flora's Father
1926The Shamrock Handicapas Well-Wishing Villager
1925Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christas Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
1925The Plastic Ageas Athlete (uncredited)

Production