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William Gillespie

Actor

William Gillespie

Born January 23, 1894 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UKDied June 23, 193899 films

William Gillespie (24 January 1894 – 23 June 1938) was a Scottish actor.

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Gillespie started in Hollywood films from the silent era. He played in about 180 films between 1915 and 1939, although his appearances were often uncredited. Gillespie frequently appeared in Hal Roach comedies from 1917, usually as stuffy official or manager. He supported such "slapstick comedians" as Charlie Chaplin, Charley Chase, Our Gang, and Laurel and Hardy, but was most prolific supporting Harold Lloyd in 60 films.

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The best way into William Gillespie's work
Safety Last! posterFirst watchSafety Last!19237.7as General Manager's Assistant (uncredited)When a store clerk organizes a contest to climb the outside of a tall building, circumstances force him to make the perilous climb himself.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
The Immigrant poster7.3The Immigrant1917The Music Box poster7.5The Music Box1932The Cure poster6.8The Cure1917Never Weaken poster6.9Never Weaken1921Cabin in the Sky poster6.5Cabin in the Sky1943They Won't Believe Me poster6.5They Won't Believe Me1947Grandma's Boy poster6.4Grandma's Boy1922

Filmography

99 films as actor
  1. 1947They Won't Believe MeWaiter (uncredited)
  2. 1943Cabin in the SkySoloist in 'Little Black Sheep' (uncredited)
  3. 1933Thundering TaxisSalesman
  4. 1932The Music BoxPiano Salesman (uncredited)
  5. 1931Helping GrandmaBilly
  6. 1929Double WhoopeeHotel manager
  7. 1929Wrong AgainHorse owner
  8. 1928Horse ShyGillroy Gibbs
  9. 1926Exit SmilingJack Hastings (uncredited)
  10. 1926Bromo and JulietThe Great Brandenburg - Stage Magician (uncredited)
  11. 1926Don Key (Son of Burro)
  12. 1926Madame Mystery
  13. 1926Wandering PapasConstruction Worker (uncredited)
  14. 1925Should Sailors Marry?Train Passenger
  15. 1925Moonlight and Noses
  16. 1925Your Own Back YardMan in Quarrelsome Couple
  17. 1925Innocent HusbandsThe Bachelor
  18. 1925Sherlock SleuthHaughty Guest
  19. 1925Isn't Life Terrible?Medical Officer (uncredited)
  20. 1925Chasing the ChaserSalesman
  21. 1925Sure-Mike!The New Manager
  22. 1925Is Marriage the Bunk?Patent medicine salesman
  23. 1925The Rat's KnucklesJimmy's rival
  24. 1924The Goofy Age
  25. 1924The Poor Fish
  26. 1924Why Men Work
  27. 1924Wide Open Spaces
  28. 1924Don't Park ThereDruggist
  29. 1924Brothers Under the Chin
  30. 1924Zeb vs. Paprika
  31. 1924Postage DueC.W. Lyons - Chief Postal inspector
  32. 1924The Cowboy SheikFiddler at party
  33. 1924SmithyThe Boss
  34. 1924All WetOther Driver
  35. 1923It's a Joy!Movie Actor
  36. 1923Fully InsuredThe Boss
  37. 1923Scorching SandsFrench officer
  38. 1923Dear Ol' PalEbben Tizzle
  39. 1923It's a GiftWeller Pump, oil executive
  40. 1923Why Worry?Ship's Officer (uncredited)
  41. 1923Her Dangerous PathJohn Dryden
  42. 1923The Green CatFire Insurance Salesman
  43. 1923Dogs of War!Director of 'Should Husbands Work?'
  44. 1923Pick and ShovelThe Boss
  45. 1923Under Two Jags
  46. 1923Sold at Auction!Aviator with False Teeth
  47. 1923White Wings
  48. 1923Safety Last!General Manager's Assistant (uncredited)
  49. 1922Dr. JackCard Player (uncredited)
  50. 1922Shine 'Em UpPrison guard
  51. 1922Grandma's Boy
  52. 1922The Dumb-BellAbe Silverstein - Film producer
  53. 1922The SleuthThe Prince
  54. 1922Punch the Clock
  55. 1922Do Me a FavorA Fireman
  56. 1922Pardon Me
  57. 1921On Location
  58. 1921Fifteen Minutes
  59. 1921Never WeakenThe Doctor (uncredited)
  60. 1921Dodge Your DebtsPub Patron
  61. 1921I DoBrother-in-Law (uncredited)
  62. 1921Among Those PresentHard-Boiled Party
  63. 1921Now or NeverThe Child's Daddy (uncredited)
  64. 1920Number, Please?Cop (uncredited)
  65. 1920Get Out and Get UnderDope Fiend (uncredited)
  66. 1920A Regular Pal
  67. 1920Run 'Em Ragged
  68. 1920High and Dizzy(uncredited)
  69. 1920Any Old Port
  70. 1920Haunted SpooksThe Lawyer (uncredited)
  71. 1920Raise the Rent
  72. 1920His Royal SlynessCourtier
  73. 1920The Dippy DentistCop
  74. 1919Looking for TroubleUndertaker
  75. 1919Next Aisle Over(uncredited)
  76. 1919Do You Love Your Wife?Elmer - the faithless husband
  77. 1918Take a Chance
  78. 1918Bees in His Bonnet
  79. 1918Bride and Gloom
  80. 1918That's Him
  81. 1918An Ozark Romance
  82. 1918Somewhere in Turkey
  83. 1918The City Slicker
  84. 1918Hey ThereActor
  85. 1918It's a Wild LifeBand leader
  86. 1918Pipe the Whiskers
  87. 1918Let's Go
  88. 1918Here Come the Girls
  89. 1918Look Pleasant, PleaseThe Photographer (uncredited)
  90. 1918A Gasoline Wedding
  91. 1918Beat It
  92. 1918The Tip
  93. 1917Step Lively
  94. 1917Bashful
  95. 1917Move On
  96. 1917The Flirt
  97. 1917BlissCop / Violinist
  98. 1917The ImmigrantViolinist (uncredited)
  99. 1917The CurePatient (uncredited)