William Gillespie
ActingAbout William Gillespie
William Gillespie (24 January 1894 – 23 June 1938) was a Scottish actor. 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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of William Gillespie 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: Comedy
The majority of William Gillespie's filmography leans towards the Comedy 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 42% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), William Gillespie remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Exit Smiling, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best William Gillespie Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Gillespie's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of William Gillespie.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | They Won't Believe Me | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Cabin in the Sky | Soloist in 'Little Black Sheep' (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Music Box | Piano Salesman (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Helping Grandma | Billy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Double Whoopee | Hotel manager | Hit | Similar → |
| 1929 | Wrong Again | Horse owner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Horse Shy | Gillroy Gibbs | Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Exit Smiling | Jack Hastings (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Bromo and Juliet | The Great Brandenburg - Stage Magician (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Don Key (Son of Burro) | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Madame Mystery | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | Should Sailors Marry? | Train Passenger | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | Your Own Back Yard | Man in Quarrelsome Couple | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | Innocent Husbands | The Bachelor | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | Isn't Life Terrible? | Medical Officer (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | Chasing the Chaser | Salesman | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Rat's Knuckles | Jimmy's rival | Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Brothers Under the Chin | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | Zeb vs. Paprika | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | Postage Due | C.W. Lyons - Chief Postal inspector | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | Smithy | The Boss | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | Scorching Sands | French officer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1923 | It's a Gift | Weller Pump, oil executive | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | Why Worry? | Ship's Officer (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Dogs of War! | Director of 'Should Husbands Work?' | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | Pick and Shovel | The Boss | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | Sold at Auction! | Aviator with False Teeth | Average | Similar → |
| 1923 | White Wings | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Safety Last! | General Manager's Assistant (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Dr. Jack | Card Player (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | The Dumb-Bell | Abe Silverstein - Film producer | Average | Similar → |
| 1921 | Never Weaken | The Doctor (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | Dodge Your Debts | Pub Patron | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | I Do | Brother-in-Law (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1921 | Among Those Present | Hard-Boiled Party | Average | Similar → |
| 1921 | Now or Never | The Child's Daddy (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | Number, Please? | Cop (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Get Out and Get Under | Dope Fiend (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | High and Dizzy | (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Haunted Spooks | The Lawyer (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | His Royal Slyness | Courtier | Average | Similar → |
| 1919 | Next Aisle Over | (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1919 | Do You Love Your Wife? | Elmer - the faithless husband | Average | Similar → |
| 1918 | Take a Chance | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1918 | Somewhere in Turkey | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1918 | Hey There | Actor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1918 | A Gasoline Wedding | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1917 | Bashful | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Immigrant | Violinist (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Cure | Patient (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
William Gillespie - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Gillespie?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Gillespie is "Exit Smiling" with a rating of 7.9/10.
How many movies has William Gillespie acted in?
William Gillespie has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Gillespie?
Other notable films include "Safety Last!", "The Music Box", and "Dodge Your Debts".