William Russell

William Russell (April 12, 1884 – February 18, 1929) was an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He appeared in over 200 silent era motion pictures between 1910 and 1929, directing five of them in 1916 and producing two through his own production company in 1918 and 1925.

Born William F. Lerche in the Bronx borough of New York City, Russell began his acting career on the stage when he was eight-years-old. He appeared with such notables as Ethel Barrymore, Chauncey Olcott, Blanche Bates, Maude Adams and others.

His career came to a stop at age 16, however, when he became an invalid. Through rigorous physical therapy, he became well again six years later. He then became an amateur boxing champion.

Russell began his screen career in New York with the Biograph Company, where he worked for nine months before signing with the Thanhouser Company. He was also part of the company of players for the American Film Manufacturing Company and their Flying "A" Studios at Santa Barbara.

In 1917, he and actress Charlotte Burton were married. They divorced in 1921. He and actress Helen Ferguson were married on June 21, 1925, at the Wilshire Boulevard Congregational Church, after a six year romance.

William Russell died at age 44 from pneumonia at Hollywood Hospital in Los Angeles. He is entombed in the Great Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Love, at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale. His brother, director Albert Russell, died two weeks later from pneumonia.

Selected filmography

Actor

The Railroad Builder (1911)

The Colonel and the King (1911)

The Higher Law (1911)

Put Yourself in His Place (1912) as Squire Raby

The Little Girl Next Door (1912) as The Other Father

Some Fools There Were (1913)

For Her Boy's Sake (1913)

Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight (1913)

Some Fools There Were (1913) as Second Unsuspecting Bachelor

The Caged Bird (1913) as The Farmer

For Her Boy's Sake (1913)

The Diamond from the Sky (1915) as Blair Stanley

Sequel to the Diamond from the Sky (1916) as Arthur

The Thoroughbred (1916) as Kelso Hamilton

The Smugglers of Santa Cruz (1916)

The Craving (1916) as Foster Calhoun

The Bruiser (1916) as "Big Bill" Brawley

Soul Mates (1916) as Lowell Sherman

The Highest Bid (1916) as Oliver Strong

The Strength of Donald McKenzie (1916) as Donald McKenzie

The Man Who Would Not Die (1916) as Clyde Kingsley/Ward Kingsley

The Torch Bearer (1916) as John Huntley-Knox

The Love Hermit (1916) as Tom Weston

The Twinkler (1916) as Bob Stephany

My Fighting Gentleman (1917) as Frank Carlisle

Pride and the Man (1917) as Jack Hastings

Hearts or Diamonds? (1918) as Larry Hanrahan

The Lincoln Highwayman (1919) as Jimmy Clunder

Boston Blackie (1923) as Boston Blackie

Anna Christie (1923) as Matt Burke

The Way of a Girl (1925) as Brand

Big Pal (1925)

The Blue Eagle (1926) as "Big Tim" Ryan

The Desired Woman (1927) as Captain Maxwell

Director

Soul Mates (1916)

The Highest Bid (1916)

The Strength of Donald McKenzie (1916)

The Man Who Would Not Die (1916)

The Torch Bearer (1916)

Producer

Hearts or Diamonds? (1918)

Big Pal (1925)

Screenwriter

Pride and the Man (1917)