William Desmond

William Desmond

Deceased · Born: Jan 23, 1878 · Died: Nov 3, 1949

Personal Details

BornJan 23, 1878 Horseheads, New York, USA
Spouse
  • Mary McIvor

    ( Mar 22, 1919 to Feb 28, 1941 )
  • Lillian Lamson

    ( Dec 8, 2025 to Dec 31, 1969 )

Biography

William Desmond, a renowned figure in the world of showbusiness, was born in the charming upstate New York town of Horseheads in the year 1878. His illustrious career began in the captivating realm of vaudeville, where he honed his skills on the stage. By the time he made his film debut in the cinematic masterpiece Kilmeny, released in 1915, Desmond had already established his own theatrical company. Initially, he focused on dramatic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. However, he soon shifted his attention to westerns and action-packed serials, ultimately becoming a prominent figure in the world of western cinema. As the era of sound began to unfold, Desmond, who was approaching the age of 50, found himself relegated to supporting roles. Nevertheless, he continued to make films well into the 1940s, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of cinema.

Career

1956
1947
Thunder Mountain
Thunder Mountain as Townsman (uncredited)
Code of the West
Code of the West as Settler (uncredited)
The Egg and I
The Egg and I as Spectator at Country Dance (Uncredited)
Trail Street
Trail Street as Townsman (uncredited)
1946
Desert Command
Desert Command as Capt. Boncour
1945
The Return of the Durango Kid
The Return of the Durango Kid as Street Ambusher (uncredited)
The Naughty Nineties
The Naughty Nineties as Showboat Customer (uncredited)
Strange Confession
Strange Confession as Peanut Vendor (uncredited)
1944
The Climax
The Climax as Backstage Technician (Uncredited)
The Mummy's Ghost
The Mummy's Ghost as Museum Tourist (uncredited)
Phantom Lady
Phantom Lady as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Tall in the Saddle
Tall in the Saddle as Townsman (uncredited)
1943
The Lone Star Trail
The Lone Star Trail as Bartender Mike
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Thank Your Lucky Stars as Gower Gulch Cowboy (uncredited)
Phantom of the Opera
Phantom of the Opera as Stagehand (uncredited)
1942
Overland Mail
Overland Mail as Williams - Banker
1940
Junior G-Men
Junior G-Men as Irish Cop (uncredited)
1937
Tim Tyler's Luck
Tim Tyler's Luck as Dock Official
1936
Headin' for the Rio Grande
Headin' for the Rio Grande as Mr. Mack (cattle buyer)
Custer's Last Stand
Custer's Last Stand as Wagon Master
The Vigilantes Are Coming
The Vigilantes Are Coming as Anderson, Vigilante Member
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell
The Adventures of Frank Merriwell as Captain of the 'Viking'
Flash Gordon
Flash Gordon as Hawkman Lookout Captain
1935
Born to Battle
Born to Battle as John Brownell
Timber Terrors
Timber Terrors as Royce Horter
Social Error
Social Error as Policeman
Frisco Kid
Frisco Kid as Vigilante Hangman (uncredited)
Naughty Marietta
Naughty Marietta as Gendarme Chief (uncredited)
1934
Frontier Days
Frontier Days as Sheriff Barnes
I Can't Escape
I Can't Escape as Parole Officer Donovan
The Way of the West
The Way of the West as 'Cash' Horton (as Wm. Desmond)
The Red Rider
The Red Rider as Sheriff Campbell
Pirate Treasure
Pirate Treasure as Capt. Jim Carson
1933
Perils of Pauline
Perils of Pauline as Prof. Thompson
Fargo Express
Fargo Express as Sheriff Joe Thompson
Gordon of Ghost City
Gordon of Ghost City as John Mulford
Strawberry Roan
Strawberry Roan as Colonel Brownlee
The Phantom of the Air
The Phantom of the Air as Thomas Edmonds
Laughing at Life
Laughing at Life as Military Cabinet Officer
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers as Capt. Boncour
1932
The Last Frontier
The Last Frontier as General Custer
Heroes of the West
Heroes of the West as John Blaine
1931
The Lightning Warrior
The Lightning Warrior as Townsman (uncredited)
1930