Willard Robertson (January 1, 1886 – April 5, 1948) was an American actor and writer. He appeared in more than 140 films between 1924 and 1948. He was born in Runnels,

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...

, and died in

Hollywood, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Picture ...

Biography

Robertson first worked as a lawyer in Texas, but he left his profession for a sudden interest in acting after being encouraged to do so by

Joseph Jefferson Joseph Jefferson III, commonly known as Joe Jefferson (February 20, 1829 – April 23, 1905), was an American actor. He was the third actor of this name in a family of actors and managers, and one of the most famous 19th century American comedia ...

. Robertson's initial venture onto the stage did not last, however. He returned to the practice of law as an attorney with the

Interstate Commerce Commission The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads (and later trucking) to ensure fair rates, to elimina ...

. During World War I, he was an administrator in the Chicago office of the federal railway police. The-Front-Page-1928-1

He appeared on Broadway in 16 plays between 1907 and 1930. Robertson played supporting roles in many Hollywood films from 1930 until the year he died, typically portraying men of authority such as doctors, elected officials, military officers, and lawyers. He played Jackie Cooper's stern but loving father in the oscar-winning drama '' Skippy'' (1931) and its sequel ''

Sooky ''Sooky'' is a 1931 American pre-Code adventure film directed by Norman Taurog and written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Norman Z. McLeod and Sam Mintz. It is a sequel to the 1931 film '' Skippy''. The film stars Jackie Cooper, Robert Coogan, Jack ...

'' (1931). Robertson also portrayed a flamboyant lawyer in '' Remember the Night'' (1940) and the straight sheriff in ''

The Ox-Bow Incident ''The Ox-Bow Incident'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by William A. Wellman, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews and Mary Beth Hughes, with Anthony Quinn, William Eythe, Harry Morgan and Jane Darwell. Two cowboys arrive in a ...

'' (1943). Robertson wrote the novel ''Moon Tide'' (1940) which was turned into Archie Mayo's drama thriller '' Moontide'' (1942) starring Jean Gabin and Ida Lupino.

Selected filmography

*'' Daughters of the Night'' (1924) as Prof. Woodbury *'' The Last of the Duanes'' (1930) as Texas Ranger Captain *'' Once a Sinner'' (1931) as Speaker at Party (uncredited) *'' Fair Warning'' (1931) as Tex Calder *'' Skippy'' (1931) as Dr. Herbert Skinner *'' City Streets'' (1931) as Detective (uncredited) *'' The Lawyer's Secret'' (1931) as Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited) *''

Murder by the Clock ''Murder by the Clock'' is a 1931 American pre-Code murder mystery film starring William "Stage" Boyd and Lilyan Tashman. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Rufus King and the play ''Dangerously Yours'' by Charles Beahan. Plot ...

'' (1931) as Police Captain (uncredited) *'' Silence'' (1931) as Phil Powers *''

Shanghaied Love ''Shanghaied Love'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code drama film directed by George B. Seitz and starring Richard Cromwell, Sally Blane and Noah Beery. It was produced and released by Columbia Pictures. The film's sets were designed by the art direc ...

'' (1931) as Newman *'' Graft'' (1931) as E. T. Scudder *'' The Ruling Voice'' (1931) as Ed Bailey *'' The Cisco Kid'' (1931) as Enos Hankins *''

'' (1931) as Mr. Skinner *'' The Gay Caballero'' (1932) as Major Lawrence Blount *'' Behind the Mask'' (1932) as Capt. E.J. Hawkes *'' Steady Company'' (1932) as Pop Henley *'' The Broken Wing'' (1932) as Sylvester Cross *''

The Rider of Death Valley ''The Rider of Death Valley'' is a 1932 American Western film directed by Albert S. Rogell and written by Jack Cunningham. The film stars Tom Mix, Lois Wilson, Fred Kohler, Forrest Stanley, Edith Fellows and Willard Robertson. The film was rel ...

'' (1932) as Bill Joyce *'' So Big'' (1932) as The Doctor (scenes deleted) *'' The Famous Ferguson Case'' (1932) as Sheriff *'' The Texas Bad Man'' (1932) as Milton Keefe *'' Tom Brown of Culver'' (1932) as Capt. White *'' Doctor X'' (1932) as Detective O'Halloran *''

Guilty as Hell ''Guilty as Hell'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Erle C. Kenton and written by Arthur Kober and Frank Partos. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Victor McLaglen, Richard Arlen, Adrienne Ames, Henry Stephenson, Ralph Ince and Noel ...

'' (1932) as Police Sgt. Alcock *''

Okay, America! ''Okay, America!'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code film, about a gossip columnist's rise to fame, based closely on the real life of Walter Winchell. Cast * Lew Ayres as Larry Wayne * Maureen O'Sullivan as Sheila Barton * Louis Calhern as Mileaway ...

'' (1932) as Bit Role *'' Wild Girl'' (1932) as Red Pete *''

Virtue Virtue ( la, virtus) is morality, moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is Value (ethics), valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that sh ...

'' (1932) as MacKenzie *'' I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang'' (1932) as Prison Board Chairman *''

The Strange Love of Molly Louvain ''The Strange Love of Molly Louvain'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Ann Dvorak and Lee Tracy. The script was based on the play ''Tinsel Girl'' by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Plot Molly Louva ...

'' (1932) *''

Central Park Central Park is an urban park in New York City located between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan. It is the fifth-largest park in the city, covering . It is the most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated ...

'' (1932) *''

If I Had a Million ''If I Had a Million'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code Paramount Pictures, Paramount Studios anthology film starring Gary Cooper, George Raft, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee and Charlie Ruggles, among oth ...

'' (1932) as Fred - Glidden Associate (uncredited) *''

Call Her Savage ''Call Her Savage'' is a 1932 pre-Code drama film directed by John Francis Dillon and starring Clara Bow. The film was Bow's second-to-last film role. It is also one of the first portrayals of homosexuals on screen, including a scene in a gay ba ...

'' (1932) as Pete Springer *'' Silver Dollar'' (1932) as Al - Yates' Office Manager (uncredited) *''

Frisco Jenny ''Frisco Jenny'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film starring Ruth Chatterton and Louis Calhern, and directed by William A. Wellman. Its storyline bears a resemblance to Chatterton's previous hit film, '' Madame X''. Plot In 1906 San Franc ...

'' (1932) as Capt. of Police *''Born to Fight'' (1932) as Dad Kinney *'' Destination Unknown'' (1933) as Joe Shano *'' Central Airport'' (1933) as Havana Airport Manager *'' Trick for Trick'' (1933) as Dr. Frank Fitzgerald *''

Supernatural Supernatural refers to phenomena or entities that are beyond the laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin (above, beyond, or outside of) + (nature) Though the corollary term "nature", has had multiple meanings si ...

'' (1933) as Prison Warden *'' Heroes for Sale'' (1933) as The Sheriff (scenes deleted) *''

Another Language ''Another Language'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Edward H. Griffith and starring Robert Montgomery and Helen Hayes. Plot A newlywed discovers that she and her husband's snobby family speak different languages: ...

'' (1933) as Harry Hallam *'' Tugboat Annie'' (1933) as Red Severn *''

Wild Boys of the Road ''Wild Boys of the Road'' is a 1933 pre-Code Depression-era American drama film directed by William Wellman and starring Frankie Darro, Rochelle Hudson, and Grant Mitchell. It tells the story of several teens forced into becoming hobos. The scr ...

'' (1933) as Captain of Detectives *'' The Mad Game'' (1933) as Warden *'' Ever in My Heart'' (1933) as Kennel Caretaker *''

Female Female ( symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the male gamete during sexual reproduction. A female has larger gametes than a male. Fema ...

'' (1933) as Department Head (uncredited) *'' The World Changes'' (1933) as Mr. Peterson *'' Roman Scandals'' (1933) as Warren Finley Cooper * ''

East of Fifth Avenue ''East of Fifth Avenue'' is a 1933 American drama film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Wallace Ford, Mary Carlisle and Dorothy Tree.Dick p.237 It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The plot revolves around the inhabitan ...

'' (1933) as Dr. Morgan *'' Lady Killer'' (1933) as Detective Conroy *''

Two Alone 2 (two) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 1 and preceding 3. It is the smallest and only even prime number. Because it forms the basis of a duality, it has religious and spiritual significance in many cultur ...

'' (1934) as George Marshall *'' Dark Hazard'' (1934) as Bill 'Billy' Fallen *'' Heat Lightning'' (1934) as Everett Marshall *''

Gambling Lady ''Gambling Lady'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Archie Mayo, and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea and Pat O'Brien. Plot Mike Lee raises his daughter Lady Lee to be as honest a gambler as he is. When he gets t ...

'' (1934) as District Attorney *'' Whirlpool'' (1934) as Judge Jim Morrison *'' Upper World'' (1934) as Police Capt. Reynolds *'' I'll Tell the World'' (1934) as Hardwick * ''

One Is Guilty ''One Is Guilty'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mystery crime film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Ralph Bellamy, Shirley Grey and Rita La Roy. It is the second in a series of four films featuring Bellamy as Inspector Steve Trent followin ...

'' (1934) as Wells Deveroux *''

He Was Her Man ''He Was Her Man'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mob film starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, and Victor Jory. The film was directed by Lloyd Bacon. Plot Flicker Hayes (Cagney) informs the police after he sets up two men to be caught in a phony ...

'' (1934) as Police Captain (uncredited) *'' Let's Talk It Over'' (1934) as Dr. Preston *'' Wild Gold'' (1934) as Dam Boss (uncredited) *'' Operator 13'' (1934) as Capt. Channing *''

Murder in the Private Car ''Murder in the Private Car'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mystery romance film starring Mary Carlisle, Charles Ruggles and Una Merkel. Directed by Harry Beaumont, the production is based on the play ''The Rear Car'' by Edward E. Rose. David T ...

'' (1934) as Elwood Carson aka Hanks *'' Here Comes the Navy'' (1934) as Executive Officer *'' Housewife'' (1934) as Judge *'' Have a Heart'' (1934) as Mr. Schauber *'' Death on the Diamond'' (1934) as Cato *''

Elinor Norton ''Elinor Norton'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Hamilton MacFadden and written by Rose Franken and Philip Klein. It is based on the 1933 novel, ''The State versus Elinor Norton'' by Mary Roberts Rinehart. The film stars Claire Trevor ...

'' (1934) as Ranch Foreman (uncredited) *''Mills of the Gods'' (1934) as Thomas *'' The Secret Bride'' (1934) as Representative Grosvenor * ''

Million Dollar Baby ''Million Dollar Baby'' is a 2004 American sports drama film directed, co-produced, scored by and starring Clint Eastwood from a screenplay written by Paul Haggis, based on stories from the 2000 collection ''Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner' ...

'' (1934) as Doctor *''

Biography of a Bachelor Girl ''Biography of a Bachelor Girl'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Edward H. Griffith and written by Horace Jackson and Anita Loos. It is based upon the play, "Biography," by S. N. Behrman. The film stars Ann Harding, Robert Montgom ...

'' (1935) as Grigsby, the Process Server *''

Transient Lady ''Transient Lady'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Edward Buzzell, written by Edward Buzzell, Arthur Caesar and Harvey F. Thew, and starring Gene Raymond, Henry Hull, Frances Drake, June Clayworth, Clark Williams and Edward Ellis. It ...

'' (1935) as Ed Goring *'' Laddie'' (1935) as Mr. John Stanton *'' Straight from the Heart'' (1935) as District Attorney *'' Black Fury'' (1935) as Mr. J.J. Welsh *'' Oil for the Lamps of China'' (1935) as Speaker *'' Dante's Inferno'' (1935) as Inspector Harris *'' The Virginia Judge'' (1935) as Plato Jones *''

O'Shaughnessy's Boy ''O'Shaughnessy's Boy'' is a 1935 film starring Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper and directed by Richard Boleslawski. The picture was partly set in a circus. The cinematographer was James Wong Howe. Plot summary The plot involves a one-armed lio ...

'' (1935) as Dan Hastings *''

His Night Out ''His Night Out'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by William Nigh and written by Harry Clork and Doris Malloy. The film stars Edward Everett Horton, Irene Hervey, Jack La Rue, Robert McWade, Lola Lane and Willard Robertson. The fil ...

'' (1935) as J.J. Trent *'' The Old Homestead'' (1935) as Uncle Jed *''

Forced Landing A forced landing is a landing by an aircraft made under factors outside the pilot's control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components, or weather which makes continued flight impossible. For a full description of these, see article on ' ...

'' (1935) as Martin Byrd *'' Dangerous Waters'' (1936) as Bill MacKeechie *'' Three Godfathers'' (1936) as Rev. McLane *'' The First Baby'' (1936) as Dr. Clarke *''

I Married a Doctor ''I Married a Doctor'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Archie Mayo and written by Casey Robinson. It is an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’s novel Main Street. The film stars Pat O'Brien, Josephine Hutchinson, Ross Alexander, Guy Kib ...

'' (1936) as Guy Pollock *''

The Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757'' is a historical romance written by James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the second book of the '' Leatherstocking Tales'' pentalogy and the best known to contemporary audiences. '' The Pathfinde ...

'' (1936) as Captain Winthrop *''

The Gorgeous Hussy ''The Gorgeous Hussy'' is a 1936 American period film directed by Clarence Brown, and starring Joan Crawford and Robert Taylor. The screenplay was written by Stephen Morehouse Avery and Ainsworth Morgan, which was based on a 1934 novel by Samue ...

'' (1936) as Secretary Ingham *'' The Man Who Lived Twice'' (1936) as Police Insp. Logan *'' Wanted! Jane Turner'' (1936) as Walter Davies *'' Winterset'' (1936) as Policeman in the Square *'' That Girl from Paris'' (1936) as Immigration Officer (uncredited) *''

Larceny on the Air ''Larceny on the Air'' is a 1937 American thriller film directed by Irving Pichel and starring Robert Livingston, Grace Bradley and Willard Robertson. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Plot summary Dr. Lawrence Baxter run ...

'' (1937) as Inspector 'Mac' McDonald *'' John Meade's Woman'' (1937) as The Governor *'' Park Avenue Logger'' (1937) as Ben Morton *'' The Go Getter'' (1937) as Matt Peasely *'' This Is My Affair'' (1937) as George Andrews *''

Roaring Timber ''Roaring Timber'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Jack Holt. Cast list * Jack Holt as Jim Sherwood * Grace Bradley as Kay MacKinley * Ruth Donnelly as Aunt Mary * Raymond Hatton as Tennessee * Willard Rob ...

'' (1937) as Harrigan *'' Exclusive'' (1937) as Mr. Franklin *'' Hot Water'' (1937) as Dr. Enfield *'' The Last Gangster'' (1937) as Mr. Broderick (uncredited) *'' Island in the Sky'' (1938) as Walter Rhodes *'' Gangs of New York'' (1938) as Inspector Sullivan *'' You and Me'' (1938) as Dayton *''

Men with Wings ''Men With Wings'' is a 1938 American Technicolor war film, directed by William A. Wellman and starring Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell. Donald O'Connor also has a small part as the younger version of MacMurray's character. The ...

'' (1938) as Col. Hadley *''

Torchy Gets Her Man ''Torchy Gets Her Man'' is a 1938 American comedy-drama film directed by William Beaudine and starring Glenda Farrell as Torchy Blane and Barton MacLane as Detective Steve McBride. It was released on November 12, 1938. It is the sixth film in a s ...

'' (1938) as Charles Gilbert *''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

'' (1938) as Bob Slocum *''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained st ...

'' (1939) as Clarke *'' My Son Is a Criminal'' (1939) as Tom Halloran Sr. *'' Union Pacific'' (1939) as Oakes Ames *'' Heritage of the Desert'' (1939) as 'Nebraska' *''

Each Dawn I Die ''Each Dawn I Die'' is a 1939 gangster film directed by William Keighley and starring James Cagney and George Raft. The plot of ''Each Dawn I Die'' involves a crusading reporter who is unjustly thrown in jail and befriends a famous gangster. The ...

'' (1939) as Lang *'' Range War'' (1939) as Buck Collins *''

Two Bright Boys ''Two Bright Boys'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by Joseph Santley, written by Val Burton and Edmund Hartmann, and starring Jackie Cooper, Freddie Bartholomew, Alan Dinehart, Melville Cooper, Dorothy Peterson and J. M. Kerrigan. It was ...

'' (1939) as Clayton *''

Main Street Lawyer ''Main Street Lawyer'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Dudley Murphy and written by Joseph Krumgold and Devery Freeman. The film stars Edward Ellis, Anita Louise, Robert Baldwin, Harold Huber, Clem Bevans and Margaret Hamilton. The ...

'' (1939) as John Ralston *'' The Cat and the Canary'' (1939) *'' Remember the Night'' (1940) as Francis X. O'Leary *'' My Little Chickadee'' (1940) as Uncle John *''

Castle on the Hudson ''Castle on the Hudson'' (UK title: ''Years Without Days'') is a 1940 American film noir drama directed by Anatole Litvak and starring John Garfield, Ann Sheridan, and Pat O'Brien. A thief is sent to Sing Sing Prison, where he is befriended by th ...

'' (1940) as Ragan *'' Lucky Cisco Kid'' (1940) as Judge McQuade *''

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...

'' (1940) as Heber Kimball *'' Northwest Mounted Police'' (1940) as Supt. Harrington *'' The Monster and the Girl'' (1941) as Lieutenant Strickland *'' I Wanted Wings'' (1941) as Judge Advocate *''

Men of the Timberland ''Men of the Timberland'' is a 1941 American film starring Richard Arlen and Andy Devine. It was part of their Aces of Action series at Universal. Paul Jarrico worked on the script. He later said the film "dealt with the fight Richard Arlen, Andy ...

'' (1941) as Tim MacGregor *''

'' (1941) as Rancher Wilson *'' The Night of January 16th'' (1941) as Inspector Donegan *'' Sullivan's Travels'' (1941) as Judge (uncredited) *'' Juke Girl'' (1942) as Mister Just *''

Wake Island Wake Island ( mh, Ānen Kio, translation=island of the kio flower; also known as Wake Atoll) is a coral atoll in the western Pacific Ocean in the northeastern area of the Micronesia subregion, east of Guam, west of Honolulu, southeast of T ...

'' (1942) as Col. Cameron (uncredited) *'' No Time for Love'' (1943) as Construction Company President (uncredited) *''

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...

'' (1943) as Colonel at Hickam Field *''

'' (1943) as Sheriff Risley *''

Background to Danger ''Background to Danger'' is a 1943 World War II spy film starring George Raft and featuring Brenda Marshall, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Based on the 1937 novel '' Uncommon Danger'' by Eric Ambler and set in politically neutral Turkey, ...

'' (1943) as 'Mac' McNamara *'' Nine Girls'' (1944) as Capt. Brooks *'' Along Came Jones'' (1945) as Luke Packard *'' To Each His Own'' (1946) as Dr. Hunt *'' Perilous Holiday'' (1946) as Graeme *'' The Virginian'' (1946) as Judge Henry (uncredited) *'' Renegades'' (1946) as Nathan Brockway *''

Gallant Journey ''Gallant Journey'' (aka ''The Great Highway'') is a 1946 American historical film written, produced and directed by William A. Wellman and starring Glenn Ford and Janet Blair. The film is a biopic of the early U.S. aviation pioneer John Joseph Mo ...

'' (1946) as Zachary Montgomery *''

My Favorite Brunette ''My Favorite Brunette'' is a 1947 American romantic comedy film and film noir parody, directed by Elliott Nugent and starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Written by Edmund Beloin and Jack Rose, the film is about a baby photographer on deat ...

'' (1947) as Prison Warden *''

Deep Valley ''Deep Valley'' is a 1947 drama starring Ida Lupino and Dane Clark, directed by Jean Negulesco and produced and released by Warner Bros. A young woman lives unhappily with her embittered parents in an isolated rural home until an escaped convict ...

'' (1947) as Sheriff Akers *'' Sitting Pretty'' (1948) as Mr. Ashcroft *''

Fury at Furnace Creek '' Fury at Furnace Creek '' is a 1948 American Western film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Victor Mature, Coleen Gray, Glenn Langan, and Reginald Gardiner. Plot Troops are massacred at a Furnace Creek fort in 1880 after an arm ...

'' (1948) as Gen. Leads

References

External links

* *
Willard Robertson
at

Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of ...

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Willard 1886 births 1948 deaths American male film actors Male actors from Texas 20th-century American male actors People from Runnels County, Texas Male Western (genre) film actors