William Wellman Jr., a sturdy and rangy actor, was born on January 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, to a family of Hollywood celebrities. As one of seven children, he was raised surrounded by the glamour of the film industry, with his father, legendary director William A. Wellman, and his fourth wife, actress Dorothy Coonan Wellman, being his parents.
Bill Jr. spent most of his childhood on film sets, making his acting debut as a youngster in a few of his father's features. After graduating from high school, he attended Duke University but eventually pursued a career in the movies.
Starting his career in the late 1950s, Wellman Jr. began with featured parts in war pictures, including Lafayette Escadrille and Darby's Rangers, both directed by his father. He then appeared in a string of low-budget films, some of which have since gained cult status, such as High School Confidential!, Macumba Love, and College Confidential.
In the 1960s, Wellman Jr. worked with director Tom Laughlin on several films, including Like Father, Like Son and The Born Losers. He also appeared in several Jerry Lewis comedies, including A Swingin' Affair, Winter A-Go-Go, and A Swingin' Summer.
Wellman Jr.'s television career began in the 1960s, with guest roles on popular westerns such as "Have Gun, Will Travel," "Rawhide," "Laramie," and "Gunsmoke." In later years, he appeared in a few more cult classics, including Black Caesar, It's Alive, and Laughlin's "Billy Jack" sequels.
As a character actor, Wellman Jr. took the lead in several films, including Image of the Beast and The Prodigal Planet, which featured his daughter Cathy Wellman. Throughout his nearly 50-year career, he has appeared in nearly 200 movies and television shows, 17 stage productions, and over 200 commercial and industrial films.
In addition to his acting work, Wellman Jr. has also been involved in writing and producing, and has occasionally appeared as a guest lecturer and at autograph conventions. In his later years, he primarily worked in television, appearing on shows such as "Days of Our Lives," "Alien Nation," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "The Pretender," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," "The Practice," "JAG," "Alias," and "CSI."
Wellman Jr.'s sister, Cissy Wellman, is also an actress who has appeared in stage, film, and television productions.
