William Collier, Sr.

William Collier Sr. was an actor who had a successful Hollywood career. In 1878, he joined touring company of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pinafore." Early on in his acting career, Collier landed roles in various films, including "Free and Easy" (1930), "Happy Days" (1930) and the Janet Gaynor musical "High Society Blues" (1930). He also appeared in the Spencer Tracy comedy "Up the River" (1930), the comedy "Hot Saturday" (1932) with Cary Grant and "A Successful Failure" (1934). He continued to work steadily in film throughout the thirties, appearing in "Annapolis Farewell" (1935), the Spencer Tracy crime picture "The Murder Man" (1935) and "Cain and Mabel" (1936). He also appeared in the Claudette Colbert comedy "The Bride Comes Home" (1936) and the drama "Valiant Is the Word For Carrie" (1936) with Gladys George. Film continued to be his passion as he played roles in "Josette" (1938) with Don Ameche, "Thanks For the Memory" (1938) with Bob Hope and the Dorothy Lamour drama "Disputed Passage" (1939). He also appeared in the mystery "Television Spy" (1939) with William Henry. Collier more recently acted in "There's Magic in Music" (1941) with Allan Jones. Collier passed away in January 1944 at the age of 78.