Rhys Williams (Welsh actor)

Summary

Rhys Williams (31 December 1897 – 28 May 1969) was a Welsh character actor. He appeared in 78 films over a span of 30 years and later appeared on several American television series.

Rhys Williams
Williams in Bonanza (1960)
Born(1897-12-31)31 December 1897
Died28 May 1969(1969-05-28) (aged 71)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California
OccupationActor
Years active1941–1969
SpouseElsie Dvorak
Children2

Career edit

He made his 1941 film debut in the role of Dai Bando in How Green Was My Valley, a drama about a working-class Welsh family that won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[1] Williams was the only Welsh actor in the cast. He is believed to have been the original narrator of the film, and was originally hired by director John Ford as a dialogue coach.[2][3]

 
Williams in Blood on the Sun (1945)
 
Williams in Mutiny (1952)

During television's early years in America, Williams was in scores of series episodes, including the Adventures of Superman as a sadistic character in the 1952 episode "The Evil Three". Williams played art collector Rufus Varner in the 1958 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Purple Woman", and appeared on the religion anthology series, Crossroads. His other television work was on such programmes as The Rifleman, The DuPont Show with June Allyson, Peter Gunn, Riverboat and The Lloyd Bridges Show. His later appearances were on Temple Houston, 77 Sunset Strip, The Wild Wild West, 12 O'Clock High, Bonanza, The F.B.I., Mission: Impossible, Mannix, The Donna Reed Show, Here Come the Brides and The Andy Griffith Show.

Death edit

Williams died at the age of 71 in Santa Monica, California, on 28 May 1969. His remains are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles.[4]

Filmography edit

Broadway theatre edit

Title Dates Role Theatre Notes Ref(s)
Alice in Wonderland 24 Dec 1930 – 4 Jan 1931 Performer Belmont Theatre [5]
King Richard II 5 Feb 1937 – Jun 1937 Second Herald
Captain of a band of Welshmen
Groom of the King's Stable
St. James Theatre [6]
King Richard II 15 Sep 1937 – 16 Oct 1937 Captain of a band of Welshmen
Groom of the King's Stable
St. James Theatre [7]
Hamlet 12 Oct 1938 – Jan 1939 Player King
Ambassador
St. James Theatre Assistant stage manager [8]
Henry IV, Part 1 30 Jan 1939 – 1 Apr 1939 First Carrier
Owen Glendower
St. James Theatre Assistant stage manager [9]
Hamlet 4 Dec 1939 – 6 Jan 1940 Player King
First Gravedigger
44th Street Theatre [10]
King Richard II 1 Apr 1940 – 27 Apr 1940 Captain of a band of Welshmen
Lord Marshal
Gardener
St. James Theatre [11]
The Corn Is Green Nov 1940 – Sept 1941 John Goronwy Jones Nederlander Theatre Assistant to the Director [12]
The Corn Is Green Sept 1941 – Jan 1942 John Goronwy Jones Royale Theatre Assistant to the Director [12]
The Morning Star 14 Sep 1942 – 3 Oct 1942 Brimbo Watkyn Morosco Theatre [13]
Lifeline 30 Nov 1942 – 5 Dec 1942 Captain J. McGrath, Master Belasco Theatre [14]
Harriet 3 Mar 1943 – 1 Apr 1944 Calvin Stowe Henry Miller's Theatre [15]
Chicken Every Sunday 5 Apr 1944 – 20 May 1944 Jim Blachman Henry Miller's Theatre [16]
Chicken Every Sunday 20 May 1944 – 6 Jan 1945 Jim Blachman Plymouth Theatre [16]
Mr. Peebles and Mr. Hooker 10 Oct 1946 – 12 Oct 1946 Mr. Hooker Music Box Theatre [17]
The Biggest Thief in Town 30 Mar 1949 – 9 Apr 1949 Sam Wilkins Mansfield Theatre [18]

Film edit

Title Year Role Notes Ref(s)
How Green Was My Valley 1941 Dai Bando 20th Century Fox
Also served as technical advisor
Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive
[19]
Cairo 1942 Strange Man MGM [20]
Gentleman Jim 1942 Harry Watson Warner Bros. [21]
Random Harvest 1942 Sam MGM [22]
Remember Pearl Harbor 1942 Andy L Anderson Republic Pictures [23]
Underground Agent 1942 Henry Miller Columbia Pictures [24]
Mrs. Miniver 1942 Horace MGM [25]
This Above All 1942 Sergeant (uncredited) 20th Century Fox [26]
Eagle Squadron 1942 Sergeant Johns Universal Pictures [27]
No Time for Love 1943 Clancy (uncredited) Paramount Pictures [28]
Blood on the Sun 1945 Joseph Cassell Cagney Productions, Inc. [29]
You Came Along 1945 Colonel Stubbs Paramount Pictures [30]
The Bells of St. Mary's 1945 Dr. McKay RKO
Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive
[31]
Voice of the Whistler 1945 Ernie Sparrow Columbia Pictures [32]
The Corn Is Green 1945 Mr. Jones Warner Bros. [33]
The Spiral Staircase 1946 Mr. Oates RKO [34]
The Strange Woman 1946 Deacon Adams Mars Film Corp. [35]
So Goes My Love 1946 Magel Skirball-Manning Productions [36]
Cross My Heart 1946 Prosecutor Paramount Pictures [37]
The Trouble with Women 1947 Judge Paramount Pictures [38]
The Imperfect Lady 1947 Inspector Carston Paramount Pictures [39]
Moss Rose 1947 Deputy Inspector Evans 20th Century Fox [40]
The Farmer's Daughter 1947 Adolph Petree RKO [41]
Easy Come, Easy Go 1947 Priest Paramount Pictures [42]
If Winter Comes 1947 Mr. Bright MGM [43]
Tenth Avenue Angel 1948 Blind Mac MGM [44]
The Black Arrow 1948 Bennet Hatch Columbia Pictures [45]
Hills of Home 1948 Mr. Milton MGM [46]
Tokyo Joe 1949 Colonel Dahlgren Santana Pictures, Inc. [47]
Fighting Man of the Plains 1948 Chandler Leach 20th Century Fox [48]
The Inspector General 1949 Inspector General Warner Bros. [49]
Bad Boy 1949 Arnold Strawn Allied Artists Pictures [50]
The Crooked Way 1949 Lieutenant Joe Williams United Artists [51]
California Passage 1950 John Norris Republic Pictures [52]
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye 1950 Vic Mason William Cagney Productions
Preserved at the UCLA Film & Television Archive
[53]
Devil's Doorway 1950 Scotty MacDougall MGM [54]
Tyrant of the Sea 1950 Captain William Blake Columbia Pictures [55]
The Showdown 1950 Chokecherry Republic Pictures [56]
One Too Many 1950 Michael H. 'Sully' Sullivan Filmed 1950, released 1951
Hallmark Productions
[57]
Lightning Strikes Twice 1951 Father Paul Warner Bros. [58]
The Law and the Lady 1951 Inspector McGraw MGM [59]
The Son of Dr. Jekyll 1951 Michaels, the Butler Columbia Pictures [60]
The Light Touch 1951 Mr. MacWade MGM [61]
The Sword of Monte Cristo 1951 Mayor of Varonne 20th Century Fox [62]
Million Dollar Pursuit 1951 Waxman 'Waxey' Wilk Republic Pictures [63]
Never Trust a Gambler 1951 Police Sergeant Quentin McCloy Columbia Pictures [64]
Les Misérables 1952 Brevet 20th Century Fox [65]
The World in His Arms 1952 Eben Cleggett Universal Pictures [66]
Carbine Williams 1952 Redwick Karson MGM [67]
Mutiny 1952 Redlegs King Brothers Productions [68]
Okinawa 1952 Robby Roberg Columbia Pictures [69]
Plymouth Adventure 1952 Mr. Weston (uncredited) MGM [70]
Meet Me at the Fair 1953 Pete McCoy Universal Pictures [71]
Julius Caesar 1953 Lucilius MGM [72]
Scandal at Scourie 1953 Bill Swazey MGM [73]
Man in the Attic 1953 William Harley 20th Century Fox [74]
Bad for Each Other 1953 Dr. Leslie M. Scobee Columbia Pictures [75]
Johnny Guitar 1954 Mr. Andrews Republic Pictures [76]
The Black Shield of Falworth 1954 Diccon Bowman Universal Pictures [77]
There's No Business Like Show Business 1954 Father Dineen 20th Century Fox [78]
The King's Thief 1955 Turnkey MGM [79]
Many Rivers to Cross 1955 Lige Blake MGM [80]
The Scarlet Coat 1955 Peter Andre MGM [81]
The Kentuckian 1955 Constable United Artists [82]
Battle Cry 1955 Enoch Rogers Warner Bros. [83]
How to Be Very, Very Popular 1955 Cedric Flagg 20th Century Fox [84]
Mohawk 1956 Clem Jones 20th Century Fox [85]
The Desperados Are in Town 1956 Jud Collins 20th Century Fox [86]
The Boss 1956 Stanley Millard United Artists [87]
The Fastest Gun Alive 1956 Brian Tibbs MGM [88]
Nightmare 1956 Torrence United Artists [89]
The Restless Breed 1957 Reverend Simmons 20th Century Fox [90]
Raintree County 1957 Ezra Gray MGM [91]
Merry Andrew 1958 Constable MGM [92]
Midnight Lace 1960 Victor Elliot Universal Pictures [93]
The Sons of Katie Elder 1965 Charlie Striker Paramount Pictures [94]
Our Man Flint 1966 Dr. Krupov 20th Century Fox [95]
Skullduggery 1970 Judge Draper Universal Pictures [96]

Television edit

Program Episode Air date Notes Ref(s)
Four Star Playhouse "Backstage" 6 November 1952 Stage manager
Studio One "The Incredible Mr. Glencannon" 10 November 1952 Guest Star
Four Star Playhouse "Man on the Train" 15 January 1953 Raikes
Adventures of Superman The Evil Three 23 January 1953 Macy Taylor
Your Jeweler's Showcase "Monkey's Paw" 7 April 1953 [97]
Four Star Playhouse "Night Ride" 7 May 1953 Bum
General Electric Theater "Test of Love" 16 August 1953 Mr. Smith [98]
Four Star Playhouse "The Wallet" 21 October 1954 Sidney [99]
The Danny Thomas Show "Sonnets from the Lebanese" 8 November 1955 [100]
The Best of the Post "Marriage That Couldn't Succeed" c.1956 [101]
Crossroads "Our First Christmas Tree" 1956 [102]
The Loretta Young Show "The Question" 2 September 1956 Professor Green [103]
General Electric Theater "Mischief at Bandyleg" 3 November 1957 Matthew Magee [104]
Code 3 "Ashes Will Whisper" 1957
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 2 Episode 32: "The Hands of Mr Ottermole" 1957 Mr. Summers [105]
Wagon Train The Liam Fitzmorgan Story 28 October 1958 James Grady
The Donna Reed Show "The Busy Body" 17 December 1958 Uncle Fred
Perry Mason "The Case of the Purple Woman" 6 December 1958 Rufus Varner
The Rifleman "Blood Brothers" 26 May 1959 [106]
The Rifleman "Bloodlines" 10 October 1959 [106]
The Rifleman "Letter of the Law" 1 December 1959 [106]
Riverboat "Strange Request" 13 December 1959 Josiah Cragg [citation needed]
The Rifleman "A Case of Identity" 19 January 1960 [106]
Bonanza "Bitter Water" 9 April 1960 Andy McKaren [citation needed]
The Rifleman "Sins of the Father" 19 April 1960 [106]
The Rifleman "The Prodigal" 26 April 1960 [106]
Dr. Kate. Spitfire TV pilot 1960 [107]
Peter Gunn "The Passenger" 3 October 1960
The DuPont Show with June Allyson "Play Acting" 27 October 1960 Russell
The Real McCoys "The Law and Mr. McCoy" 1 February 1962 Judge Reuter [citation needed]
The Bob Cummings Show "Fasten Your Money Belt" 1 March 1962 [108]
The Lloyd Bridges Show "The Ramp" 8 May 1963
Temple Houston "Billy Hart" 28 November 1963 Judge Curry [citation needed]
77 Sunset Strip "Not Such a Simple Knot" 17 January 1964 Uncle Molnar [citation needed]
12 O'Clock High "Interlude" 27 November 1964 Adam MacRae [citation needed]
The Wild Wild West "The Night of the Druid's Blood" 25 March 1966 Dr. Tristam [citation needed]
The F. B. I. "The Assassin" 9 October 1966 Dean Vincent Sutherland
Armstrong Circle Theatre "Brigadoon" 15 October 1966 [109]
Mission Impossible "The Train" 8 March 1967 Prime Minister Ferenc Larya
The Andy Griffith Show " Aunt Bee, the Juror" 23 October 1967 Judge Cranston [110]
Here Come the Brides "A Kiss For Just So" 29 January 1969 Bishop Newkirk
Mannix "Last Rites for Miss Emma" 8 March 1969 Doctor

References edit

  1. ^ "The 14th Academy Awards (1942) Nominees and Winners". Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  2. ^ "How Green Was My Valley". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Rhys Williams at Reel Classics". ReelClassics. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  4. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 101. ISBN 9780786450190. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Alice in Wonderland". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  6. ^ "King Richard II". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  7. ^ "King Richard II". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Hamlet". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Henry IV, Part 1". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Hamlet". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  11. ^ "King Richard II". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  12. ^ a b "The Corn Is Green". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  13. ^ "The Morning Star". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Lifeline". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Harriet". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  16. ^ a b "Chicken Every Sunday". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  17. ^ "Mr. Peebles and Mr. Hooker". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  18. ^ "The Biggest Thief in Town". IBDB. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  19. ^ "How Green Was My Valley". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Cairo". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Gentleman Jim". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  22. ^ "Random Harvest". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  23. ^ "Remember Pearl Harbor". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  24. ^ "Underground Agent". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  25. ^ "Mrs. Miniver". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  26. ^ "This Above All". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  27. ^ "Eagle Squadron". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  28. ^ "No Time for Love". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  29. ^ "Blood on the Sun". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  30. ^ "You Came Along". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  31. ^ "The Bells of St. Mary's". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  32. ^ "Voice of the Whistler". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  33. ^ "The Corn Is Green". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  34. ^ "The Spiral Staircase". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  35. ^ "The Strange Woman". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  36. ^ "So Goes My Love". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  37. ^ "Cross My Heart". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  38. ^ "The Trouble with Women". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  39. ^ "The Imperfect Lady". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  40. ^ "Moss Rose". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  41. ^ "The Farmer's Daughter". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  42. ^ "Easy Come, Easy Go". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  43. ^ "If Winter Comes". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  44. ^ "Tenth Avenue Angel". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  45. ^ "The Black Arrow". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  46. ^ "Hills of Home". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  47. ^ "Tokyo Joe". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  48. ^ "Fighting Man of the Plains". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  49. ^ "The Inspector General". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  50. ^ "Bad Boy". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  51. ^ "The Crooked Way". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  52. ^ "California Passage". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  53. ^ "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  54. ^ "Devil's Doorway". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  55. ^ "Tyrant of the Sea". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  56. ^ "The Showdown". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  57. ^ "One Too Many". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  58. ^ "Lightning Strikes Twice". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  59. ^ "The Law and the Lady". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  60. ^ "The Son of Dr. Jekyll". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  61. ^ "The Light Touch". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  62. ^ "The Sword of Monte Cristo". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  63. ^ "Million Dollar Pursuit". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  64. ^ "Never Trust a Gambler". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  65. ^ "Les Misérables". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  66. ^ "The World in His Arms". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  67. ^ "Carbine Williams". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  68. ^ "Mutiny". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  69. ^ "Okinawa". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  70. ^ "Plymouth Adventure". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  71. ^ "Meet Me at the Fair". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  72. ^ "Julius Caesar". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  73. ^ "Scandal at Scourie". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  74. ^ "Man in the Attic". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  75. ^ "Bad for Each Other". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  76. ^ "Johnny Guitar". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  77. ^ "The Black Shield of Falworth". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  78. ^ "There's No Business Like Show Business". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  79. ^ "The King's Thief". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  80. ^ "Many Rivers to Cross". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  81. ^ "The Scarlet Coat". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  82. ^ "The Kentuckian". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  83. ^ "Battle Cry". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  84. ^ "How to Be Very, Very Popular". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  85. ^ "Mohawk". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  86. ^ "The Desperados Are in Town". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  87. ^ "The Boss". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  88. ^ "The Fastest Gun Alive". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  89. ^ "Nightmare". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  90. ^ "The Restless Breed". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  91. ^ "Raintree County". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  92. ^ "Merry Andrew". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  93. ^ "Midnight Lace". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  94. ^ "The Sons of Katie Elder". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  95. ^ "Our Man Flint". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  96. ^ "Skullduggery". TCM. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  97. ^ "Your Jeweler's Showcase". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  98. ^ "General Electric Theater". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  99. ^ "Four Star Playhouse". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  100. ^ "The Danny Thomas Show". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  101. ^ "The Best of the Post". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  102. ^ "Crossroads". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  103. ^ "The Loretta Young Show". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  104. ^ "General Electric Theater". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  105. ^ "Code 3". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  106. ^ a b c d e f "The Rifleman Cast: Guest Stars". Levy-Gardner-Laven Productions, Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  107. ^ "Dr. Kate. Spitfire". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  108. ^ "The Bob Cummings Show". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  109. ^ "Armstrong Circle Theatre". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  110. ^ "The Andy Griffith Show". UCLA Film & Television Archive. Retrieved 25 February 2021.

External links edit