Willard Robertson
ActingAbout Willard Robertson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Willard Robertson (January 1, 1886 – April 5, 1948) was an American actor and writer. He appeared in 147 films between 1924 and 1948. He was born in Runnels, Texas and died in Hollywood, California. Willard Robertson first worked as a lawyer in Texas, but he left his profession for a sudden interest in acting. 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 also lawyers. He played Jackie Cooper's stern but loving father in the oscar-winning drama Skippy (1931) and its sequel Sooky (1931). Robertson also portrayed a flamboyant lawyer in Remember the Night (1940) and the straight sheriff in The Ox-Bow Incident (1943). Willard Robertson was also a notable writer of numerous plays, two of them were adapted into films. He also wrote the novel Moon Tide (1940) which was turned into Archie Mayo's drama thriller Moontide (1942) starring Jean Gabin and Ida Lupino.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Willard Robertson reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Willard Robertson'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 66% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Willard Robertson remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Willard Robertson Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Willard Robertson's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Willard Robertson.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Sitting Pretty | Mr. Ashcroft | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | My Favorite Brunette | Prison Warden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Gallant Journey | Zachary Montgomery | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | To Each His Own | Dr. Hunt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Background to Danger | 'Mac' McNamara | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | No Time for Love | Construction Company President (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Air Force | Colonel at Hickam Field | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Ox-Bow Incident | Sheriff Risley | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Juke Girl | Mister Just | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Texas | Rancher Wilson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | North West Mounted Police | Supt. Harrington | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Castle on the Hudson | Ragan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | My Little Chickadee | Uncle John | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Remember the Night | Francis X. O'Leary | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Each Dawn I Die | Lang | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Union Pacific | Oakes Ames | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Jesse James | Clarke | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | You and Me | Dayton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Island in the Sky | Walter Rhodes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | This Is My Affair | George Andrews | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | That Girl from Paris | Immigration Officer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Man Who Lived Twice | Logan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Last of the Mohicans | Captain Winthrop | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Three Godfathers | Reverend McLane | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Dante's Inferno | Inspector Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Oil for the Lamps of China | Speaker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Biography of a Bachelor Girl | Grigsby, the Process Server | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Death on the Diamond | Cato | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Have a Heart | Mr. Schauber | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Housewife | Judge Edwin A. Matthews | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | He Was Her Man | Police Captain | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Upperworld | Police Captain Reynolds | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Gambling Lady | District Attorney | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Heat Lightning | Everett Marshall | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Two Alone | George Marshall | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Lady Killer | Detective Conroy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Female | Department Head (Uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Wild Boys of the Road | Captain of Detectives | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Tugboat Annie | Red Severn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Another Language | Harry Hallam | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Supernatural | Prison Warden | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Central Airport | Havana Airport Manager | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Frisco Jenny | Police Capt. Tom | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | If I Had a Million | Fred - Glidden Associate (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang | Prison Board Chairman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Virtue | Detective MacKenzie | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Rider of Death Valley | Bill Joyce | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Famous Ferguson Case | Sheriff | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Silence | Phil Powers | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Skippy | Herbert Skinner | Average | Similar → |
Willard Robertson - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Willard Robertson?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Willard Robertson is "I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang" with a rating of 7.8/10.
How many movies has Willard Robertson acted in?
Willard Robertson has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Willard Robertson?
Other notable films include "The Ox-Bow Incident", "Silence", and "Remember the Night".