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William A. Wellman (1896–1975)

William Wellman, the Oscar-winning screenwriter-director of the original A Star Is Born (1937), was called "Wild Bill" during his World War I service as an aviator, a nickname that persisted in Hollywood due to his larger-than-life personality and lifestyle. A leap-year baby born in 1896 on the 29th of February in Brookline, MA, Wellman was the ... See full bio »

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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Known For

A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born Director
(1937)
Wings
Wings Director
(1927)
Gallant Journey
Gallant Journey Director
(1946)
The Ox-Bow Incident
The Ox-Bow Incident Director
(1942)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Director (81 credits)
 1955 Blood Alley
 1954 Light's Diamond Jubilee (TV Movie documentary)
 1954 Ring of Fear (uncredited)
 1952 My Man and I
 1949 Battleground
 1948 Yellow Sky
 1947 Magic Town
 1944 Buffalo Bill
 1942 Roxie Hart
 1939 Beau Geste
 1936 Tarzan Escapes (uncredited)
 1935 Call of the Wild (as William Wellman)
 1934 Stingaree (as William Wellman)
 1934 Viva Villa! (uncredited)
 1934 Looking for Trouble (as William Wellman)
 1933 Female (17 scenes, uncredited)
 1933 College Coach
 1933 Midnight Mary (as William Wellman)
 1933 Lilly Turner
 1932 Frisco Jenny
 1932 So Big!
 1931 Safe in Hell
 1931 Night Nurse
 1930 Young Eagles
 1929 Woman Trap
 1927 Wings
 1926 The Boob
 1925 When Husbands Flirt (as William Wellman)
 1924 The Circus Cowboy (as William Wellman)
 1923 Big Dan
 1923 Second Hand Love (as William Wellman)
Show Show Writer (11 credits)
Show Show Producer (10 credits)
Show Show Actor (7 credits)
Show Show Second Unit Director or Assistant Director (6 credits)
Show Show Self (11 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (7 credits)
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Personal Details

Other Works:

TV commercial (PSA): Easter Seals. NOTE: Shot on the set of Blood Alley (1955).

Publicity Listings:

2 Biographical Movies | 5 Print Biographies | 13 Articles | 1 Magazine Cover Photo | See more »

Alternate Names:

William Wellman

Spouse:

Dorothy Coonan Wellman  (his death)  (7 children) | See more »
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I couldn't stand being an actor. I haven't liked many actors anyway, and I've directed most of them. One of my sons is an actor and it breaks my heart, but there's nothing I can do about it. See more »

Trivia:

Directed five Oscar Best Picture nominees: Wings (1927), Viva Villa! (1934) (uncredited), A Star Is Born (1937), The Ox-Bow Incident (1942) and Battleground (1949). Wings became the first ever Best Picture winner. See more »

Nickname:

Wild Bill See more »

Star Sign:

Pisces
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