William Gargan
ActingAbout William Gargan
William Gargan, born William Dennis Gargan July 17, 1905 in Brooklyn, New York, USA and died February 17, 1979 aged 73 on a flight between New York and San Diego. He was an American motion picture, television and radio actor. Gargan played character roles in many Hollywood productions, including two appearances as detective Ellery Queen, but was best known for his role as Detective Martin Kane in the 1949-51 radio-television series, Martin Kane, Private Eye, sponsored by U.S. Tobacco. He also appeared as a private detective in the NBC radio show Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator, which ran from 1951 to 1955.
William Gargan Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of William Gargan reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of William Gargan's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 24% of William Gargan'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 Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men, which stands out as a key performance.
Best William Gargan Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Gargan's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie William Gargan has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Complicated Women | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | The Rawhide Years | Marshal Sommers | Average | Similar → |
| 1956 | Miracle in the Rain | Harry Wood | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Argyle Secrets | Harry Mitchell | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Swell Guy | Martin Duncan | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Till the End of Time | Sgt. Gunny Watrous | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Night Editor | Tony Cochrane | Flop | Similar → |
| 1946 | Strange Impersonation | Dr. Stephen Lindstrom | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Behind Green Lights | Lt. Sam Carson | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Bells of St. Mary's | Joe Gallagher | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Follow That Woman | Sam Boone | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Canterville Ghost | Sergeant Benson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | No Place for a Lady | Jess Arno | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Who Done It? | Detective Inspector Lou | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Destination Unknown | Briggs Hannon - aka Terry Jordan | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen | Ellery Queen | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Miss Annie Rooney | Mr. Timothy Rooney | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen | Ellery Queen | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bombay Clipper | James Montgomery 'Jim' Wilson | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Sealed Lips | Lee Davis | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Keep 'Em Flying | Craig Morrison | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | I Wake Up Screaming | Jerry 'Mac' MacDonald | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Cheers for Miss Bishop | Sam Peters | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | They Knew What They Wanted | Joe | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Turnabout | Joel Clare | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The House of Fear | Arthur McHugh | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Women in the Wind | Ace Boreman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Broadway Serenade | Bill Foster | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Adventures of Jane Arden | Ed Towers | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Within the Law | Police Sergeant Cassidy | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Crowd Roars | Johnny Martin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | She Asked for It | Dwight Stanford | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Wings Over Honolulu | Jack Furness | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | You Only Live Once | Father Dolan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Alibi for Murder | Perry Travis | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Milky Way | Speed McFarland | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Broadway Gondolier | Cliff Stanley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Things Are Looking Up | Van Gaard | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Black Fury | Slim Johnson, Company Policeman | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Traveling Saleslady | Pat O'Connor | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | British Agent | Bob Medill | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Four Frightened People | Stewart Corder | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men | Red Branahan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Night Flight | Brazilian Pilot | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Headline Shooter | Bill Allen | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Emergency Call | Steve Brennan | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Story of Temple Drake | Stephen Benbow | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Lucky Devils | Bob Hughes | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Animal Kingdom | Regan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Rain | Sergeant Tim O'Hara | Hit | Similar → |
William Gargan - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Gargan?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Gargan is "Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men" with a rating of 7.2/10.
How many movies has William Gargan acted in?
William Gargan has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Gargan?
Other notable films include "You Only Live Once", "I Wake Up Screaming", and "Who Done It?".