Bill Elliott
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 16, 1904
- Died
- November 26, 1965 (aged 61)
- Birthplace
- Pattonsburg, Missouri, USA
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
Filmography
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch
Movie · as (archive footage)
It's Showtime
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Movie · as Self (archive footage)
Adam-12
TV · as Officer Grant · 4 eps
Chain of Evidence
Movie · as Andy Doyle
Footsteps in the Night
Movie · as Andy Doyle
Calling Homicide
Movie · as Andy Doyle
Sudden Danger
Movie · as Andy Doyle
Dial Red O
Movie · as Andy Flynn / Andy Doyle
The Forty-Niners
Movie · as Sam Nelson
Bitter Creek
Movie · as Clay Tyndall
The Homesteaders
Movie · as Mace Corbin
Rebel City
Movie · as Frank Graham
Topeka
Movie · as Jim Levering
Vigilante Terror
Movie · as Tack Hamlin
Fargo
Movie · as Bill Martin
Waco
Movie · as Matt Boone
Kansas Territory
Movie · as Joe Daniels
The Maverick
Movie · as Pete Devlin
The Longhorn
Movie · as Jim Kirk
The Showdown
Movie · as Shadrach Jones
The Savage Horde
Movie · as Ringo
The Marshall of Trail City
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Hellfire
Movie · as Zeb Smith
The Last Bandit
Movie · as Frank Norris / Frank Plummer
The Gallant Legion
Movie · as Gary Conway
Old Los Angeles
Movie · as Bill Stockton
The Fabulous Texan
Movie · as Josie Allen
Wyoming
Movie · as Charles Alderson
Sheriff of Redwood Valley
Movie · as Red Ryder
The Plainsman and the Lady
Movie · as Sam Colton
In Old Sacramento
Movie · as Johnny Barrett / Spanish Jack
California Gold Rush
Movie · as Red Ryder
Sun Valley Cyclone
Movie · as Red Ryder
Conquest of Cheyenne
Movie · as Red Ryder
Phantom of the Plains
Movie · as Red Ryder
Lone Texas Ranger
Movie · as Red Ryder
Marshal of Laredo
Movie · as Red Ryder
Great Stagecoach Robbery
Movie · as Red Ryder
Colorado Pioneers
Movie · as Red Ryder
Wagon Wheels Westward
Movie · as Red Ryder
Bells of Rosarita
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Marshal of Reno
Movie · as Red Ryder
San Antonio Kid
Movie · as Red Ryder
Tucson Raiders
Movie · as Red Ryder
Hidden Valley Outlaws
Movie · as Bill Elliott
Vigilantes of Dodge City
Movie · as Red Ryder
Sheriff of Las Vegas
Movie · as Red Ryder
Cheyenne Wildcat
Movie · as Red Ryder
Mojave Firebrand
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Death Valley Manhunt
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Bordertown Gun Fighters
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Wagon Tracks West
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Calling Wild Bill Elliott
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
The Man from Thunder River
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
Overland Mail Robbery
Movie · as Wild Bill Elliott
The Valley of Vanishing Men
Movie · as Wild Bill Tolliver
Prairie Gunsmoke
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
The Devil's Trail
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Vengeance of the West
Movie · as Joaquin Murietta aka The Black Shadow
North of the Rockies
Movie · as Sergeant Bill Cameron
The Lone Star Vigilantes
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Bullets for Bandits
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok / Prince Katey
The Return of Daniel Boone
Movie · as Wild Bill Boone
Hands Across the Rockies
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
The Son of Davy Crockett
Movie · as Dave Crockett
Across the Sierras
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
North from the Lone Star
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Roaring Frontiers
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
King of Dodge City
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Tank Patrol
Movie · as Bluey
The Man from Tumbleweeds
Movie · as Wild Bill Saunders
The Return of Wild Bill
Movie · as Wild Bill Saunders
Pioneers of the Frontier
Movie · as Wild Bill Saunders
The Wildcat of Tucson
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Prairie Schooners
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Beyond the Sacramento
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Overland with Kit Carson
Movie · as Kit Carson
The Roaring Twenties
Movie · as Bootlegger (uncredited)
Frontiers of '49
Movie · as John Freeman
Taming of the West
Movie · as Wild Bill Saunders
The Law Comes to Texas
Movie · as John Haynes
Lone Star Pioneers
Movie · as Pat Barret
Letter of Introduction
Movie · as Backgammon Man (uncredited)
The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
Movie · as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
Boy of the Streets
Movie · as Dr. Allan
The Lady in the Morgue
Movie · as Chauncey Courtland
In Early Arizona
Movie · as Whit Gordon
Boots and Saddles
Movie · as Jim Neale
Michael O'Halloran
Movie · as Little Lord Fauntleroy (uncredited)
Melody for Two
Movie · as Walter Wilson
Swing It Professor
Movie · as Randall
Roll Along, Cowboy
Movie · as Odie Fenton
Love Takes Flight
Movie · as Bill Parker
You Can't Have Everything
Movie · as Lulu's Bathing Companion (uncredited)
Midnight Court
Movie · as City Attorney Seabrook
Wife, Doctor and Nurse
Movie · as Bruce Thomas
Speed to Spare
Movie · as Steve Fellows
The Murder of Dr. Harrigan
Movie · as Kenneth Martin
The Case of the Velvet Claws
Movie · as Carl Griffin
Polo Joe
Movie · as Don Trumbeau
Murder by an Aristocrat
Movie · as Dave Thatcher
Fugitive in the Sky
Movie · as Ramon Duval
The Case of the Black Cat
Movie · as Sam Laxter
The Big Noise
Movie · as Sharp, Board of Directors Member (uncredited)
Guns of the Pecos
Movie · as Wellman, a Dude
King of Hockey
Movie · as 2nd Radio Announcer
Trailin' West
Movie · as Jefferson Duane
Down the Stretch
Movie · as Robert Bates
Bullets or Ballots
Movie · as Hunter - Bank Worker (uncredited)
Two Against the World
Movie · as News Commentator (uncredited)
China Clipper
Movie · as Pilot (uncredited)
Romance in the Air
Movie · as Announcer
The Walking Dead
Movie
The Goose and the Gander
Movie · as Teddy
The Girl from 10th Avenue
Movie · as James, Clerk at College Club
Dr. Socrates
Movie · as Tom Collins - Greer's Associate
Broadway Gondolier
Movie · as Reporter
The Right to Live
Movie · as Wedding Guest
Broadway Hostess
Movie · as Playboy in 'Playboy of Paree' Number (uncredited)
Dangerous
Movie
Personal Maid's Secret
Movie · as Warren Sherrill
Stars Over Broadway
Movie · as Minor Role
While the Patient Slept
Movie · as Bank Teller (uncredited)
Traveling Saleslady
Movie · as Freddie
Man of Iron
Movie · as Charlie Fagan
The Woman in Red
Movie · as Stuart Wyatt
Moonlight on the Prairie
Movie · as Jeff Holt
The Payoff
Movie · as Maxine's Casino Escort (uncredited)
A Night at the Ritz
Movie · as Vincent's Assistant (uncredited)
Bright Lights
Movie · as Backstage Actor
'G' Men
Movie · as Bootlegger Who Gives Eddie the Bottle Outside the Club (uncredited)
Page Miss Glory
Movie · as Reporter (uncredited)
Go Into Your Dance
Movie · as Jackson's Secretary / Dorothy's Dance Partner
Wonder Bar
Movie · as Norman (uncredited)
A Lost Lady
Movie · as Polo Match Spectator (uncredited)
Registered Nurse
Movie · as Male Nurse
Desirable
Movie · as Party Guest
The Secret Bride
Movie · as Governor's Secretary (uncredited)
Murder in the Clouds
Movie · as Lt. Saunders (uncredited)
The Case of the Howling Dog
Movie · as Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
Movie · as Dancer (uncredited)
Smarty
Movie · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Upperworld
Movie · as Police Photographer (uncredited)
Midnight Mary
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
Stage Mother
Movie · as Audience Member / Dexter's Party Guest (uncredited)
Handlebars
Movie · as Bicyclist (uncredited)
The Little Giant
Movie · as Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited)
Gold Diggers of 1933
Movie · as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
Only Yesterday
Movie · as New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
The Keyhole
Movie · as Partygoer (uncredited)
Private Detective 62
Movie · as Man at Roulette Table (Uncredited)
Cocktail Hour
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
Made on Broadway
Movie · as Night Club Patron
Jewel Robbery
Movie · as Policeman Following Blonde (uncredited)
One Hour with You
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
Night After Night
Movie · as Escort (uncredited)
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Movie · as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
Bachelor's Affairs
Movie · as Ship's Passenger / Dance Extra (uncredited)
Lady with a Past
Movie · as Alex Brown (Uncredited)
The Mummy
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
Vanity Fair
Movie · as Bit Role
The Rich Are Always with Us
Movie · as Gambler (uncredited)
Scarface
Movie · as Man Outside Theatre (uncredited)
Merrily We Go to Hell
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
A Successful Calamity
Movie · as Polo Player (uncredited)
Five and Ten
Movie · as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
God's Gift to Women
Movie · as Minor Role (uncredited)
Let's Do Things
Movie · as Music Store Customer (uncredited)
Broadminded
Movie · as Hotel Guest on Veranda
Traveling Husbands
Movie · as Hotel Dining Room Guest
Sweepstakes
Movie · as Night Club Patron
The Public Defender
Movie · as Country Club Guest
Born to Love
Movie · as Hotel Dancer (uncredited)
Delicious
Movie · as Larry's Friend
The Road to Reno
Movie · as Party Boy
Left Over Ladies
Movie · as Escort (uncredited)
Working Girls
Movie · as Dance Extra / Lobby Extra (uncredited)
Party Husband
Movie · as Wedding Party Guest
Blonde Crazy
Movie · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Platinum Blonde
Movie · as Ann's Beau (uncredited)
West of Broadway
Movie · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
The Girl Said No
Movie · as Wedding Guest
Lord Byron of Broadway
Movie · as Party-Goer
Part Time Wife
Movie · as Golfer (uncredited)
Sunny
Movie · as One of Tom's War Buddies
Going Wild
Movie · as Physical Exam Onlooker
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu
Movie
The Truth About Youth
Movie · as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
She Who Gets Slapped
Movie · as Poker Player
What Men Want
Movie · as Party Boy
She Couldn't Say No
Movie · as Gangster
Born Reckless
Movie · as Customer at Beretti's
Double Cross Roads
Movie · as Party Guest
Broadway Scandals
Movie · as George Halloway
The Great Divide
Movie · as Ruth's Friend (uncredited)
Night Parade
Movie · as Party Guest
The Boy Friend
Movie · as Gordon Elliot
Restless Youth
Movie · as George Baxter
Beyond London Lights
Movie · as Colin Drummond
The Arizona Wildcat
Movie · as Roy Schyler
The Drop Kick
Movie · as Aggressive Student at Dance
The Private Life of Helen of Troy
Movie · as Telemachus
Children of Divorce
Movie · as Party Guest (uncredited)
The Shamrock Handicap
Movie · as Well-Wishing Villager
Napoleon, Jr.
Movie · as Flora's Father
The Plastic Age
Movie · as Athlete (uncredited)
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Movie · as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)