Bill Elliott
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
Credits
- 1976 · Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch as (archive footage)
- 1976 · It's Showtime as Self (archive footage)
- 1975 · Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? as Self (archive footage)
- 1968 · Adam-12 as Officer Grant
- 1957 · Footsteps in the Night as Andy Doyle
- 1957 · Chain of Evidence as Andy Doyle
- 1956 · Calling Homicide as Andy Doyle
- 1955 · Sudden Danger as Andy Doyle
- 1955 · Dial Red O as Andy Flynn / Andy Doyle
- 1954 · The Forty-Niners as Sam Nelson
- 1954 · Bitter Creek as Clay Tyndall (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1953 · Vigilante Terror as Tack Hamlin
- 1953 · Topeka as Jim Levering
- 1953 · Rebel City as Frank Graham
- 1953 · The Homesteaders as Mace Corbin
- 1952 · The Maverick as Pete Devlin
- 1952 · Fargo as Bill Martin
- 1952 · Kansas Territory as Joe Daniels (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1952 · Waco as Matt Boone (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1951 · The Longhorn as Jim Kirk
- 1950 · The Showdown as Shadrach Jones
- 1950 · The Savage Horde as Ringo
- 1950 · The Marshall of Trail City as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1949 · Hellfire as Zeb Smith
- 1949 · The Last Bandit as Frank Norris / Frank Plummer (as William Elliott)
- 1948 · The Gallant Legion as Gary Conway
- 1948 · Old Los Angeles as Bill Stockton (as William Elliott)
- 1947 · The Fabulous Texan as Josie Allen
- 1947 · Wyoming as Charles Alderson
- 1946 · The Plainsman and the Lady as Sam Colton
- 1946 · Conquest of Cheyenne as Red Ryder
- 1946 · In Old Sacramento as Johnny Barrett / Spanish Jack
- 1946 · Sun Valley Cyclone as Red Ryder
- 1946 · Sheriff of Redwood Valley as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1946 · California Gold Rush as Red Ryder
- 1945 · Wagon Wheels Westward as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1945 · Colorado Pioneers as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1945 · Marshal of Laredo as Red Ryder
- 1945 · Phantom of the Plains as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1945 · Bells of Rosarita as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1945 · Lone Texas Ranger as Red Ryder
- 1945 · Great Stagecoach Robbery as Red Ryder
- 1944 · Sheriff of Las Vegas as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1944 · Vigilantes of Dodge City as Red Ryder
- 1944 · Cheyenne Wildcat as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1944 · San Antonio Kid as Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1944 · Marshal of Reno as Red Ryder
- 1944 · Tucson Raiders as Red Ryder
- 1944 · Hidden Valley Outlaws as Bill Elliott
- 1944 · Mojave Firebrand as Wild Bill Elliott (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1943 · Death Valley Manhunt as Marshal Wild Bill Elliott (as Wild Bill Elliott)
- 1943 · Overland Mail Robbery as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1943 · Wagon Tracks West as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1943 · Bordertown Gun Fighters as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1943 · The Man from Thunder River as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1943 · Calling Wild Bill Elliott as Wild Bill Elliott
- 1942 · The Valley of Vanishing Men as Wild Bill Tolliver
- 1942 · Vengeance of the West as Joaquin Murietta aka The Black Shadow
- 1942 · Prairie Gunsmoke as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1942 · The Devil's Trail as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1942 · North of the Rockies as Sergeant Bill Cameron
- 1942 · Bullets for Bandits as 'Wild' Bill Hickok / Prince Katey
- 1942 · The Lone Star Vigilantes as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1941 · Roaring Frontiers as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1941 · King of Dodge City as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1941 · The Son of Davy Crockett as Dave Crockett
- 1941 · Hands Across the Rockies as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1941 · Tank Patrol as Bluey
- 1941 · The Return of Daniel Boone as Wild Bill Boone
- 1941 · North from the Lone Star as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1941 · Across the Sierras as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1940 · The Wildcat of Tucson as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1940 · Beyond the Sacramento as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1940 · Prairie Schooners as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1940 · The Return of Wild Bill as Wild Bill Saunders
- 1940 · The Man from Tumbleweeds as Wild Bill Saunders
- 1940 · Pioneers of the Frontier as Wild Bill Saunders
- 1939 · The Taming of the West as Wild Bill Saunders
- 1939 · The Roaring Twenties as Bootlegger (uncredited)
- 1939 · Overland with Kit Carson as Kit Carson
- 1939 · Frontiers of '49 as John Freeman
- 1938 · Letter of Introduction as Backgammon Man (uncredited)
- 1938 · The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok as 'Wild' Bill Hickok
- 1938 · The Lady in the Morgue as Chauncey Courtland
- 1938 · Boy of the Streets as Dr. Allan
- 1937 · Love Takes Flight as Bill Parker
- 1937 · Roll Along, Cowboy as Odie Fenton
- 1937 · Boots and Saddles as Jim Neale
- 1937 · Wife, Doctor and Nurse as Bruce Thomas
- 1937 · You Can't Have Everything as Lulu's Bathing Companion (uncredited)
- 1937 · Michael O'Halloran as Little Lord Fauntleroy (uncredited)
- 1937 · Melody for Two as Walter Wilson
- 1937 · Swing It Professor as Randall
- 1937 · Midnight Court as City Attorney Seabrook
- 1936 · Guns of the Pecos as Wellman, a Dude
- 1936 · King of Hockey as 2nd Radio Announcer
- 1936 · Fugitive in the Sky as Ramon Duval
- 1936 · Polo Joe as Don Trumbeau
- 1936 · The Case of the Black Cat as Sam Laxter
- 1936 · Down the Stretch as Robert Bates
- 1936 · Trailin' West as Jefferson Duane
- 1936 · China Clipper as Pilot (uncredited)
- 1936 · Two Against the World as News Commentator (uncredited)
- 1936 · The Case of the Velvet Claws as Carl Griffin
- 1936 · The Big Noise as Sharp, Board of Directors Member (uncredited)
- 1936 · Murder by an Aristocrat as Dave Thatcher (as Gordon Elliott)
- 1936 · Bullets or Ballots as Hunter - Bank Worker (uncredited)
- 1936 · The Murder of Dr. Harrigan as Kenneth Martin
- 1935 · Dangerous as
- 1935 · Man of Iron as Charlie Fagan
- 1935 · Broadway Hostess as Playboy in 'Playboy of Paree' Number (uncredited)
- 1935 · Stars Over Broadway as Minor Role
- 1935 · Moonlight on the Prairie as Jeff Holt
- 1935 · Personal Maid's Secret as Warren Sherrill
- 1935 · Dr. Socrates as Tom Collins - Greer's Associate
- 1935 · The Goose and the Gander as Teddy
- 1935 · Page Miss Glory as Reporter (uncredited)
- 1935 · Broadway Gondolier as Reporter
- 1935 · Bright Lights as Backstage Actor
- 1935 · The Girl from 10th Avenue as James, Clerk at College Club
- 1935 · 'G' Men as Bootlegger Who Gives Eddie the Bottle Outside the Club (uncredited)
- 1935 · Go Into Your Dance as Jackson's Secretary / Dorothy's Dance Partner
- 1935 · Traveling Saleslady as Freddie
- 1935 · A Night at the Ritz as Vincent's Assistant (uncredited)
- 1935 · While the Patient Slept as Bank Teller (uncredited)
- 1935 · The Woman in Red as Stuart Wyatt
- 1935 · The Right to Live as Wedding Guest
- 1935 · The Payoff as Maxine's Casino Escort (uncredited)
- 1934 · The Secret Bride as Governor's Secretary (uncredited)
- 1934 · Murder in the Clouds as Lt. Saunders
- 1934 · A Lost Lady as Polo Match Spectator (uncredited)
- 1934 · The Case of the Howling Dog as Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited)
- 1934 · Desirable as Party Guest
- 1934 · The Merry Frinks as Dancer (uncredited)
- 1934 · Smarty as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- 1934 · Registered Nurse as Male Nurse
- 1934 · Wonder Bar as Norman (uncredited)
- 1933 · Only Yesterday as New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited)
- 1933 · Stage Mother as Audience Member / Dexter's Party Guest
- 1933 · Handlebars as Bicyclist (uncredited)
- 1933 · Midnight Mary as Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1933 · Private Detective 62 as Man at Roulette Table (Uncredited)
- 1933 · Gold Diggers of 1933 as Night Club Patron (uncredited)
- 1933 · The Little Giant as Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited)
- 1933 · The Keyhole as Partygoer (uncredited)
- 1932 · The Mummy as Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1932 · Night After Night as Escort (uncredited)
- 1932 · A Successful Calamity as Polo Player (uncredited)
- 1932 · Jewel Robbery as Policeman Following Blonde (uncredited)
- 1932 · Bachelor's Affairs as Ship's Passenger / Dance Extra (uncredited)
- 1932 · Merrily We Go to Hell as Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1932 · The Rich Are Always with Us as Gambler (uncredited)
- 1932 · Scarface as Man Outside Theatre (uncredited)
- 1932 · One Hour with You as Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1932 · Vanity Fair as Bit Role
- 1932 · Lady with a Past as Alex Brown (Uncredited)
- 1932 · The Greeks Had a Word for Them as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- 1931 · Delicious as Larry's Friend
- 1931 · Working Girls as Dance Extra / Lobby Extra
- 1931 · Left Over Ladies as Escort (uncredited)
- 1931 · The Road to Reno as Party Boy
- 1931 · Blonde Crazy as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- 1931 · Traveling Husbands as Hotel Dining Room Guest
- 1931 · The Public Defender as Country Club Guest
- 1931 · Broadminded as Hotel Guest on Veranda
- 1931 · Sweepstakes as Night Club Patron
- 1931 · Five and Ten as Wedding Guest (uncredited)
- 1931 · Let's Do Things as Music Store Customer (uncredited)
- 1931 · Party Husband as Wedding Party Guest
- 1931 · Born to Love as Hotel Dancer (uncredited)
- 1931 · God's Gift to Women as Minor Role (uncredited)
- 1930 · Going Wild as Physical Exam Onlooker
- 1930 · Part Time Wife as Golfer (uncredited)
- 1930 · Sunny as One of Tom's War Buddies
- 1930 · The Truth About Youth as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- 1930 · What Men Want as Party Boy
- 1930 · She Who Gets Slapped as Poker Player
- 1930 · The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu as
- 1930 · The Girl Said No as Wedding Guest
- 1930 · Lord Byron of Broadway as Party-Goer
- 1930 · She Couldn't Say No as Gangster
- 1929 · Broadway Scandals as George Halloway
- 1929 · Night Parade as Party Guest
- 1929 · The Great Divide as Ruth's Friend (uncredited)
- 1928 · Restless Youth as George Baxter
- 1928 · The Boy Friend as Gordon Elliot
- 1927 · The Private Life of Helen of Troy as Telemachus
- 1927 · The Arizona Wildcat as Roy Schyler (as Gordon Elliott)
- 1927 · The Drop Kick as Aggressive Student at Dance
- 1927 · Children of Divorce as Party Guest (uncredited)
- 1926 · Napoleon, Jr. as Flora's Father
- 1926 · The Shamrock Handicap as Well-Wishing Villager
- 1925 · Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ as Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited)
- 1925 · The Plastic Age as Athlete (uncredited)