Will Wright
ActingAbout Will Wright
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. William Henry "Will" Wright (March 26, 1894, San Francisco, California - June 19, 1962, Los Angeles, California) was an American character actor. He was frequently cast in westerns and in curmudgeonly roles. Over the course of his career, Wright appeared in more than 200 film and television roles. He started his acting career in vaudeville and later moved to the stage, then on to movies, radio, and television. Among the films in which Wright appeared are Shadow of the Thin Man (1941), The Major and the Minor (1943), So Proudly We Hail! (1943), Road to Utopia (1946), Mother Wore Tights (1947), Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), Little Women (1949), Walk Softly, Stranger (1950), Sunset in the West (1950), People Will Talk (1951), The Happy Time (1952), River of No Return (1954), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), Jeanne Eagels (1957), and Gunman's Walk (1958). One of his most famous and memorable film roles was corrupt city official Dolph Pillsbury in the Academy Award-winning All the King's Men (1949). Wright provided the voice of Friend Owl in Walt Disney's animated film Bambi (1942). He guest starred on several television series. Will Wright died of cancer in 1962.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Will Wright reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Will Wright's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 100% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Will Wright remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Shut My Big Mouth, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Will Wright Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Will Wright's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Will Wright.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Fail Safe | Bit Part (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Cape Fear | Dr. Pearsall | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | Inherit the Wind | Bible Salesman (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Rock-a-Bye Baby | Fire Chief (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Gunman's Walk | Judge | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell | Admiral William S. Sims | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Man with the Golden Arm | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | Johnny Guitar | Ned - Bank Teller (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | River of No Return | Trader (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Wild One | Art Kleiner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1953 | Niagara | Boatman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Manager (segment "The Clarion Call") (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1952 | O. Henry's Full House | Hotel Desk Clerk (segment "The Clarion Call") (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | People Will Talk | Uncle John Higgins (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Tall Target | Thomas Ogden (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | Excuse My Dust | Race judge | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Dallas | Judge Harper | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Sunset in the West | Sheriff Tad Osborne | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | No Way Out | Dr. Cheney (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | House by the River | Inspector Sarten | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Adam's Rib | Judge Marcasson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | All the King's Men | Dolph Pillsbury | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | They Live by Night | Mobley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Little Women | Mr. Grace (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Act of Violence | Pop | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Whispering Smith | Sheriff McSwiggin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | An Act of Murder | Judge Jim Wilder | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Green Grass of Wyoming | Jake Willis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House | Eph Hackett (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | California | Chairman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Fair Weather Fiends | Wolfie Wolf (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Jolson Story | Sourpuss Movie Patron (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Reckless Driver | Wally Walrus (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Who's Cookin Who? | Wolfie Wolf (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Blue Dahlia | "Dad" Newell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Road to Utopia | Mr. Latimer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Scarlet Street | Globe Loan Office Manager (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Loose Nut | Construction Worker (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | State Fair | Hog Judge (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | You Came Along | Col. Dale V. Armstrong (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Fall Guy | Mr. Nedsen, Parkson's Attorney (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Major and the Minor | Ticket Agent #1 (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bambi | Friend Owl (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Saboteur | J.C. Lormans - Company Official (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Shut My Big Mouth | Jim Long | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Shadow of the Thin Man | Maguire - Nervous Ticket Seller (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Nothing But the Truth | Mr. Bart Prichard (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Blossoms in the Dust | Senator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Maisie Was a Lady | Judge Thatcher (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Blondie Plays Cupid | Mr. Tucker | Hit | Similar → |
Will Wright - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Will Wright?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Will Wright is "Shut My Big Mouth" with a rating of 8.5/10.
How many movies has Will Wright acted in?
Will Wright has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Will Wright?
Other notable films include "Fall Guy", "Fail Safe", and "Inherit the Wind".