William H. Boyd (December 18, 1886 in New York City, New York – March 20, 1935 in Los Angeles, California) was an American actor billed as William "Stage" Boyd or William Stage Boyd.
William "Stage" Boyd | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Henry Boyd December 18, 1886[1][2] New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 20, 1935 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Stage actor, film actor |
| Years active | 1913–1935 |
Biography edit
Boyd was an early 20th century stage actor who appeared in two Broadway plays and then worked in motion pictures. To avoid confusion with the better-known performer working under the same name, William Boyd (best known for playing Hopalong Cassidy), Boyd adopted the name William "Stage" Boyd to emphasize his experience on the legitimate stage. Such experience was considered an advantage to an actor after the introduction of talking pictures.
Boyd's arrests for alcohol possession (during Prohibition) and drug possession damaged his career and that of the other William Boyd.[3] Many newspapers reported the arrests, but published photos of the wrong William Boyd, who lost his studio contract with RKO.[citation needed]
Boyd's first wife, Margaret Christiansen, later married theatrical producer Harry Frazee, the one-time owner of the Boston Red Sox who is best remembered for selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | The Star of India | ||
| 1915 | Stop Thief! | Dr. Willoughby | |
| 1915 | The Ringtailed Rhinoceros | Prime Minister | |
| 1916 | The Kiss of Hate | Isaac | Lost film |
| 1918 | Marriages Are Made | Max Rupholdt | |
| 1918 | Virtuous Wives | Monte Bracken | |
| 1920 | Blackbirds | Detective | Lost film |
| 1929 | The Locked Door | Lawrence Reagan | |
| 1930 | The Benson Murder Case | Harry Gray | |
| 1930 | Those Who Dance | Diamond Joe Jennings | |
| 1930 | The Storm | Burr Winton | |
| 1930 | The Spoilers | Alec McNamara | |
| 1930 | Derelict | Jed Graves | |
| 1931 | The Gang Buster | 'Sudden Mike' Slade | |
| 1931 | Gun Smoke | Kedge Darvis | |
| 1931 | City Streets | McCoy | |
| 1931 | Murder by the Clock | Lt. Valcour | |
| 1931 | The Road to Reno | Jerry Kenton | |
| 1931 | The False Madonna | Dr. Ed Marcy | |
| 1932 | Sky Devils | Sgt. Hogan | |
| 1932 | The Wiser Sex | Harry Evans | |
| 1932 | State's Attorney | Valentine 'Vanny' Powers | |
| 1932 | The Painted Woman | Captain Boynton | |
| 1932 | Madison Square Garden | Sloane | |
| 1932 | Midnight Warning | Thorwaldt Cornish | |
| 1932 | Rasputin and the Empress | Comrade General | Uncredited |
| 1933 | Oliver Twist | Bill Sikes | |
| 1933 | Laughing at Life | Inspector Mason | |
| 1933 | The Chief | Dan 'Danny' O'Rourke | |
| 1933 | The House on 56th Street | Bonelli | |
| 1934 | The Girl from Missouri | George - Eadie's Stepfather | Uncredited |
| 1934 | Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round | Joe Saunders | |
| 1935 | Night Life of the Gods | Mulligan | |
| 1935 | The Lost City | Zolok | Serial. Final film role |
