William Bell
ActingAbout William Bell
William Bell (né Yarbrough; born July 16, 1939) is an American soul singer and songwriter. As a performer, he is best known for his debut single, 1961's "You Don't Miss Your Water"; 1968's top 10 hit in the UK "Private Number", a duet with Judy Clay; and his only US top 40 hit, 1976's "Tryin' to Love Two", which also hit No. 1 on the R&B chart. Upon the death of Otis Redding, Bell released the well-received memorial song "A Tribute to a King". As a songwriter, Bell co-authored the Chuck Jackson hit "Any Other Way" (which was a cover since Bell issued it first) as a follow-up to "You Don't Miss Your Water"; Billy Idol's 1986 hit "To Be a Lover", which was first a hit for Bell under its original title "I Forgot to Be Your Lover"; and the blues classic "Born Under A Bad Sign", popularized by both Albert King and Cream. Although he was a longtime recording artist for Stax Records, he is unrelated to the label's onetime president, Al Bell. In 2017, Bell was awarded a Grammy for Best Americana Album for his record This Is Where I Live. He performed his hit "Born Under a Bad Sign" alongside Gary Clark Jr. at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Bell was also featured on Rolling Stone's "Best of the Grammys" for that year.
William Bell Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Bell reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 4 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Bell's work falls within the Music genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 25% of William Bell's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Wattstax, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Bell Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Bell's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Bell has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Stax, le label soul légendaire | Self (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Classic Soul at the BBC | Self (archive footage) | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Soul of Stax | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Wattstax | - | Hit | Similar → |
William Bell - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Bell?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Bell is "Wattstax" with a rating of 7.0/10.
How many movies has William Bell acted in?
William Bell has been featured in at least 4 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Bell?
Other notable films include "Classic Soul at the BBC", "The Soul of Stax", and "Stax, le label soul légendaire".



