William Gargan was an American actor, renowned for his iconic portrayals of fictional detectives Ellery Queen, Martin Kane, and Barrie Craig. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, solidifying his reputation as a talented performer.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, Gargan attended St. James School, where he developed an interest in the performing arts. His older brother, Edward Gargan, was already an established actor, but William initially pursued a career as a salesman of bootleg whiskey during Prohibition and later as a professional detective. However, a visit to his brother on a musical comedy stage changed the course of his life, as he was offered a stage job and accepted.
Gargan began his theatrical career, appearing in the play "Aloma of the South Seas." He transitioned to film in the 1930s, often typecast as a stereotypical Irishman, playing roles such as policemen, priests, reporters, and adventurers. He received critical acclaim for his role as Joe in the romantic drama "They Knew What They Wanted" (1940),earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Although he did not win the award, his performance was widely praised.
In the 1940s, Gargan portrayed the popular detective Ellery Queen in three films: "A Close Call for Ellery Queen" (1942),"A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen" (1942),and "Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen" (1942). He spent the remainder of the decade playing supporting roles in film.
Gargan found another notable role as detective Martin Kane in the radio series "Martin Kane, Private Eye" (1949-1952),as well as the television adaptation, which lasted from 1949 to 1954. Although he originated the role, he was eventually replaced by actors Lloyd Nolan and Lee Tracy. Gargan returned to the role in the sequel series "The New Adventures of Martin Kane" (1957).
Gargan also played detective Barrie Craig in the popular radio series "Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator" (1951-1955),known for his laid-back personality. Although the series was suggested for adaptation to television, only an unsuccessful pilot episode was produced.
Gargan's acting career came to an abrupt end in 1958 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He underwent surgery in 1960, which saved his life but resulted in the loss of his distinctive voice. He began speaking through an artificial voice box and became a spokesman for the American Cancer Society, warning people about the dangers of smoking.
Gargan established his own production company, William Gargan Productions, and continued to work in the entertainment industry despite his health challenges. He suffered a mid-flight heart attack in 1979 and passed away at the age of 73. Gargan was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego, California.
