William Halligan (actor)

William Kerry Halligan (March 29, 1883 – January 28, 1957) was an American stage and film actor, and writer.

William Halligan
Halligan in Dick Tracy (1945)
Born
William Kerry Halligan

(1883-03-29)March 29, 1883
DiedJanuary 28, 1957(1957-01-28) (aged 73)
Other namesBill Halligan
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
Years active1904–1946

Halligan was born on March 29, 1883, in Chicago, Illinois. He was active on the stage from 1904 to 1919. That year he made his film debut in The Wonder Man. He appeared as a supporting actor in numerous films; his last appearance was in If I'm Lucky in 1946. He also worked as a writer and "gagman" (joke writer) from 1928 to 1943. He died at the Motion Picture County House in Woodland Hills, California on January 28, 1957.[1]

Filmography

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Partial list of films featuring William Halligan:

Anecdotes

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Halligan enjoyed gambling, but unfortunately was noted for his inability to pick horses. One day at Santa Anita his friend, Nick the Greek, challenged him: "Bill, you're such a bad handicapper I'll bet you 100 to 1 that you can't pick a horse that will finish last." Halligan took the bet at $1000 to $10, and picked Paper Boy, an extreme longshot. Paper Boy won, and paid $64.[2]

On another occasion Nick told Halligan: "In gambling with a Southerner, never be afraid [if] he pulls a pistol on you. It's when he pulls his fountain pen that you'd better duck."[2]

References

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  1. ^ "William Halligan". Variety. February 6, 1957. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lyons, Leonard. "Broadway Medley". No. Feb 5, 1957. The Times. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
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