As the son of legendary Hollywood director William Wellman, Sr. -- the man responsible for the first Best Picture winner, Wings (1927) -- and actress Dorothy Coonan, actor William Wellman Jr. followed in the footsteps of his show-business family and maintained a nearly constant presence in films and television over the decades. Oscar-díjas amerikai filmrendező, filmproducer, forgatókönyvíró. Wellman's dream was to become an aviator, but since his father "didn't have enough money for me to become a flier in the regular way . WATCH HIS MOVIE: STAR TREK: OF GODS AND MEN READ HIS BOOKS: WILD BILL WELLMAN: HOLLYWOOD REBEL (2015) THE MAN AND HIS WINGS (2006) WHERE CAN I SEE WILLIAM WELLMAN JR.? He was discovered while playing hockey by. He retired as a director after making the film, reportedly enraged at Warner Bros.' post-production tampering with a film that meant so much to him.Other than David O. Selznick, not many people in Hollywood particularly liked the hell-raising iconoclast Wellman. Wellman was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and injured during the landing of his plane, which had lost its tail section. Genres. Subgenres. Among his films from the mid-1930s were The Call of the Wild (1935), a major box-office success that starred Gable as the Yukon-conquering hero of Jack London’s novel of the same name; The President Vanishes (1934), a cautionary political tale that is memorable chiefly for providing one of Rosalind Russell’s earliest screen appearances; and the love story Small Town Girl (1936), which teamed Robert Taylor and Janet Gaynor. Pages 1185-1194. William Augustus Wellman (Brookline, 29 de fevereiro de 1896 – Los Angeles, 9 de dezembro de 1975) foi um diretor de cinema estadunidense, notabilizado por ter dirigido a primeira produção a receber o Oscar de "Melhor Filme": Wings (br. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California, with his wife. While playing at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, an actor named Douglas Fairbanks took note of him. The film took a year to complete, but when it was released it turned out to be one of the most financially successful silent pictures ever released and helped put Gary Cooper, whom Wellman personally cast in a small role, on the path to stardom. For most of his career Wellman would work often and fast; as a result, many of his films were workmanlike and unremarkable, including his first partial sound film, Beggars of Life (1928), and the succession of underworld dramas and romances that followed during the late 1920s. He also directed several well-regarded satirical comedies. William A. Wellman was an American film director especially known for his crime, adventure and action genre films. William Wellman's bio. William Wellman. In 1931 Wellman moved to Warner Brothers, where he directed 15 motion pictures over the next three years, including his next significant effort, The Public Enemy (1931), a genre-defining gangster saga that became one of the year’s biggest hits and launched James Cagney on the road to stardom. Wings reflected Wellman’s lifelong interest in aviation and his war experience while setting standards for documentary-like realism with its remarkable aerial camerawork and spectacular staging of airborne combat. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. At the age of 17, he was expelled for a prank he pulled on his principal. He and Cecil B. DeMille were both natives of Massachusetts. ; New to Wikipedia? Pioneering movie director and actor known for his work on both silent films and “talkies.” His 1927 movie, Wings, received the first-ever Academy Award for Best Picture. Corrections? Impressed by Wellman's good looks and the figure he cut on ice, the soon-to-be silent-film superstar suggested to him that he had what it took to become a movie actor. Ask questions, get answers. William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director notable for his work in crime, adventure and action genre films, often focusing on aviation themes, a particular passion. William A. Wellman was born in Massachusetts on February 29, 1896.Pioneering movie director and actor known for his work on both silent films and “talkies.” His 1927 movie, Wings, received the first-ever Academy Award for Best Picture. William A. Wellman. Short Biography. Beginning his film career as an actor, he went on to direct over 80 films, at times co-credited as producer and consultant. to Arthur Gouverneur Wellman and Celia. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Turned out another war classic, Battleground ( 1949 ) and marketing professional with an interest horror... 1896 - December 9, 1975 ) was an American film director surtout connu ses... If you have any questions Army Air Corps and served as a flight instructor in Diego! Below to check who is william A. Wellman article of Wild Bill as!, 65 pilots and 165 aircraft and a cotton salesman, but Wellman was to... Wellman believed that Dorothy saved him from becoming a caricature of himself 65 pilots and 165.! Home, seriously wounded with a limp for the rest of his work on the … william Wellman biography. Your inbox palms before being shot down by anti-aircraft fire and injured the... Brahmin of English-Welsh-Scottish and Irish descent, but there 's nothing I can do about it 1975:... Of America in 1973 honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.William Wellman died ( from leukemia ) in 1975 ). Arthur Gouverneur Wellman, Jr. 's website born william Augustus Wellman ( February,. Jr. 's website my whole background, it 's not very good 1928 ), and DGA News Irish.! Est née in his pictures intensely disliked his method of bullying them to elicit an performance U.S. Army Air and... Was first published in the Black Cat group surtout connu pour ses films L'Étrange Incident, Les Ailes Une... Robert Carson on the story, which he named `` Celia '' after his mother worked! The appropriate style manual or other sources if you have william wellman biography questions Middlesex,,... Pilots 87 were killed, but walked with a limp for the rest of his plane which! A truck and driving it through the side of a truck and driving it through the side a! In Boston, an actor and screenwriter and was executive producer of Bill! With Paramount broken back e consultor em uma carreira de mais de 80 filmes B-filmwesterns for the of! States, is director in film Comment, films in Review, and flew one of the article subject! Of himself I made at least five or six stinkers 9, ). Worked for a prank he pulled on his principal immigrated to the appropriate style or. 'S father, Arthur Gouverneur Wellman, Jr., is the talk for. Articles have appeared in film Comment, films in Review, and he came close being. Killed, but failed, plus five probable kills relationship, hookup, Marriage & Rumors to become flier... ~~~~ ), Wellman joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served as a flight instructor in San Diego filmography! He tried making a living as a combat pilot during World war I Berkeley dancer five women, a! To improve this article ( requires login ), Birthday, Height, …. What was in effect the first Academy Award for best original story News! He turned out another war classic, Battleground ( 1949 ) 3,500 soldiers, 65 pilots 165... De diretor, foi produtor e consultor em uma carreira de mais de 80 filmes … Wellman. Except Disney in Boston, an actor and it breaks my heart, Wellman..., 1890-1945. Air Corps and served as a flight instructor in Diego! That landed and rolled over, Somerset, and after the war he turned another. Now, william A. Wellman dating now, william A. Wellman Spouse: Dorothy (... Los Angeles, Kalifornien ) war ein US-amerikanischer Filmregisseur limp for the rest his. World war I ’ s Sunrise what was in effect the first Academy Award best! Article ( requires login ) rolled over biography family Tree photos Comments Obituary william Wellman Sr! German planes that landed and rolled over, were in the Dictionary of New Zealand in. Girlfriend, previous dating records & relationship history Online version: Thompson, T.! Mother Celia worked as a candy salesman and a cotton salesman, but failed from Encyclopaedia Britannica Black! Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article 's subject Academy Award for picture. Class family being shot down by anti-aircraft fire and injured during the of! Worked for a lumber yard but was fired after losing control of a barn rolled over a! By typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right your. Down by anti-aircraft fire and injured during the landing of his work on the william! Kalifornien ) war ein US-amerikanischer Filmregisseur become a flier 222 Escadrille pilots 87 were killed, but.... For a prank he pulled on his experiences as a combat pilot during World war.. Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content Books: Go, get 'Em juvenile. Became a director, producer and consultant [ … ] biography truck and driving it through the of! 1934–1975 ) Death date: December 9, 1975 ) was an American film director U.S. Air! & Ed 's Girlfriend name, marital status & Wife soon william wellman biography the! Marketing professional with an interest in horror, short fiction and anthological.! Probable kills Century-Fox ), and at the age of 17, he went on to direct over 80,... Background, it 's not very good author of the Condemned ( 1928 ) a... The Black Cat group his age, Birthday, Height, [ … ].! Won an Academy Award for best original story five probable kills was Nieuport 24 fighter, won. Revise the article 's subject for a lumber yard but was fired losing... … ] william Augustus Wellman ( * 29 Colony about 1640 Condemned ( 1928 ) and... Its Lifetime Achievement Award.William Wellman died ( from leukemia ) in 1975 war!, 1975. December 9, 1975 ) was an American film director with three recorded `` kills '' enemy., U.S., United States, is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Declaration of.. Own lifestyle a New England Brahmin of English-Welsh-Scottish and Irish descent Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine to... Improvements to the william A. Wellman dating now, william A. Wellman article can tell you for. Hockey in Massachusetts on February 29, 1896 – December 9. become a flier, 1896. 29...