Wagenheim, Charles  (1896 - 1979)

Robert Wagner  (1930 - )

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Actor / producer. Began in films on contract to 20th Century-Fox in 1950, began television work in the 1960s. Married to Natalie Wood.

Selected Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Raymond Walburn  (1887 - 1969)

Born in Indiana. Boisterous actor / comedian with distinctive rather high-pitched hoarse sounding voice. On stage until 1930 then to Hollywood.

Selected Feature Films:

Wales, Ethel  (1898 - 1952)

Walken, Christopher  (1943 - )

Walker, (Mayor) James  (1881 - 1946)
Served as Mayor of New York City (1926 - 1932)

Nancy Walker  (1922 - 1992)

Given name: Ann Swoyer Barto. Actress, singer, comedienne on stage, screen and television (she even immortalized Bounty paper towels as "the Quicker Picker Upper"). She had a rather nasal voice and a sarcastic and self-deprecating manner - in a funny sort of way, of course. She was lots of fun. Shown here (right) with Gloria DeHaven (center) and June Allyson in "The Three B's" number from Best Foot Forward, 1943.

Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Walker, Nella  (1886 - 1971)

Walker, Ray  (1904 - 1980)
Actor

Walker, Ray
Dubbing Artist

Robert Walker  (1914 - 1951)

Given name: Robert Walker; born in Salt Lake City, Utah. A very fine actor. Equally adept at comedy and drama, Bob Walker's performance in Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train (1951) was nothing short of excellent. He also did fine dramatic acting in Selznick's Since You Went Away (1944) and Minnelli's The Clock (1945). But he was most popular in light-weight comedies such as Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945), See Here, Private Hargrove (1943) and One Touch of Venus. Sadly, his career was cut short in 1951 by an untimely death, and we'll never know to what heights Robert Walker could have soared. Married to actress Jennifer Jones (1939 - 1944).

Note: There are several actors with the name of Robert Walker

Feature Films:

Walker, Walter  (1901 - 1975)

Wall, Geraldine  (1912 - 1970)

Wallace, Babe
(Emmett "Babe" Wallace)
Singer

Wallach, Eli  (1915 - )

Waller, Eddy  (1889 - 1977)

Fats Waller  (1904 - 1943)

Given name: Thomas Wright Waller; born in New York, NY. Jazz pianist, composer, comedian. Considered one of the best Jazz pianists of all time. It's truly amazing to watch him play! Began playing piano at age six. Studied under James P. Johnson and studied classical playing under Carl Bohm and Leopold Godowsky. Collaborated with lyricist Andy Razaf. Together, they wrote scores for three major Broadway musicals: "Keep Shufflin'," "Load of Coal" and "Hot Chocolates." Fats recorded one record for Okeh when he was 18, and began recording for Victor in 1926.

See also: Composers: Fats Waller

Feature Films:

Deborah Walley  (1943 - 2001)

Gifted actress / author / producer born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Studied acting at New York's Academy of Dramatic Arts. Made her stage debut at age 14 in "Charley's Aunt." Moved to Sedona, Arizona in the 1970s. Cofounded two childrens theater companies: Pied Piper Productions and Sedona Children's Theater. Also wrote screenplays and childrens books. Did I mention she's very, very cute?

Feature Films:

Shani Wallis  (1933 - )

Born in London, England. Very beautiful and talented British cabaret singer, stage performer and recording artist; appeared in some films. Her rendition of "He Needs Me" in Oliver! is a real show-stopper! I can't imagine anyone doing it better!

Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Ray Walston  (1917 - 2001)

Actor on stage, screen and television. Won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Mr. Applegate in "Damn Yankees" on Broadway (1956). Reprised the role in the 1958 movie. He seems to be very popular today because of reruns of "My Favorite Martian" on cable TV.

Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Walter, Bruno  (1876 - 1962)
German-American Conductor
Conducted many orchestras, including the New York Met (1941 - 1959)

Walters, Charles  (1911 - 1982)
Director, dancer, dance instructor
On-Screen Appearances:

Wand, Betty
Dubbing Artist

Ward, Lucille  (1880 - 1952)

Warde, Anthony  (1908 - 1975)
(aka Tony Warde)

Warfield, William  (1920 - 2002)
Singer
Gave us what is probably the most popular version of "Old Man River"

Waring, Fred  (1900 - 1984)
Orchestra Leader
(also Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians)

Warner, Annette
Dubbing Artist

Warner, H. B.  (1875 - 1958)
(Harry Byron Warner)

Warren, Harry  (1893 - 1981)
Composer; see also Composers W: Harry Warren
On-Screen appearances:

Warren, Janet
(aka Elaine Morey)

Lesley Ann Warren (1946 - )

Born in New York, NY. Really cute actress / singer / dancer on stage, screen and television. Starred as the lead character in Rogers and Hammerstein's television production of "Cinderella," 1964, while still a teenager. Went on to make two films for Disney, then appeared in a long series of both "A" and "B" films. Still working today.

Feature Films:

Warrick, Ruth  (1915 - 2005)

Washington, Grover, Jr.  (1943 - 1999)
Jazz saxaphonist
Probably best remembered for his hit version of "Just the Two of Us"

Waters, Bunny  (1916 - 1992)
(Bonnie Waters)

Ethel Waters  (1896 - 1977)

Given name: Ethel Howard; born in Chester, Pennsylvania. Singer / actress at nightclubs, on stage and screen. Very popular throughout the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. One of the first true Jazz singers, she introduced popular standards including "Dinah," "Stormy Weather" and "Taking a Chance on Love." She's a natural actress, and is really cute and fun with a great sense of humor. A great lady!

Selected Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Watkin, Pierre  (1889 - 1960)
Great character actor - appeared in about 250 films!

Watson, Delmar  (1926 - )
Child actor

Watson, Lucile  (1879 - 1962)

Watson, Minor  (1889 - 1965)

Watson, Wylie
British Actor

Wayne, David  (1913 - 1995)

Wayne, John  (1907 - 1979)
"The Duke"
Legendary actor, mostly in Westerns

Wazzans, The
Circus Performers

Weatherwax, Rudd  (1907 - 1985)
Born in Sierra County, New Mexico
Owner and trainer of Lassie (the dog)

Weaver, Marjorie  (1913 - 1994)

Webb, Richard  (1915 - 1993)

Weeks, Larry
(PFC. Larry Weeks)

Weidler, George  (1926 - 1989)
(Virginia Weidler's brother)

Virginia Weidler  (1927 - 1968)

Given name: Virginia Weidler; born in Eagle Rock, California. Very talented child-star of the 1930s and early 1940s. Appeared in many movies, but her career didn't make the transition into adulthood.

Feature-length musicals only:

Weidler, Walter  (1923 - 2002)
(Virginia Weidler's brother)

Weidler, Warner
(Virginia Weidler's brother)

Weissmuller, Johnny  (1904 - 1984)
Best remembered as Tarzan in the movie series (1932 - 1948)

Welch, Raquel
Very popular actress of the 1970s

Welch, Robert L.  (1910 - 1964)
Producer; on-screen appearances:

Tuesday Weld  (1943 - )

Given name: Susan Ker Weld; born in New York, New York. "Tuesday" was her nickname as a child. Child model turned actress. In the 1950s and '60s, fans followed her personal life in the fanzines and tabloids -- nervous breakdowns, alcoholism, and love affairs -- with as much delight as they found in her on-screen appearances. She climbed her way up from low-budget exploitation films to some good roles but, though she is certainly very talented, she never seemed to get the roles that would elevate her to major stardom. But, she's still working on that!

Feature Films:

Welden, Ben  (1901 - 1997)

Weldon, Joan  (1933 - )
Singer / actress

Welles, Orson  (1915 - 1985)
Legendary actor / director / radio personality
Produced the infamous "War of the Worlds" radio show
on "Mercury Theatre on the Air," October 30, 1938

Wessel, Dick  (1913 - 1965)

Wesson, Dick  (1919 - 1979)
Actor / comedian

Mae West  (1892 - 1980)

One of the best-remembered personalities of the early talkie era. Mae West moved from stage to film in the early 1930s, and audiences loved her "bad girl" roles - over-dressed with a brash and nearly vulgar attitude. She had a sultry manner and voice, best remembered for her oft-used "Come up and see me sometime," line (she supposedly never actually said that line, but she said many lines that were of a very similar nature). Mae wrote or co-wrote most of her own scripts.

Feature Films:

West, Pat  (1888 - 1944)

Westcott, Gordon  (1903 - 1935)
(Myrthus Hickman)

Helen Westley  (1879 - 1942)

Given name: Henrietta Conroy. Wonderful character actress with a gruff exterior and a heart of gold. Though she began as young lady on stage, at the tender age of 18, she is generally seen today in films from the talkie era playing headstrong elderly spinsters, mothers, aunts, etc. She Has a high-pitched shrieking voice and the audacity to tongue-lash anyone! But nearly always turns out to have a heart of gold.

Selected Feature Films:

Westman, Nydia  (1902 - 1970)

Whalen, Michael  (1902 - 1974)
(Joseph Shovlin)

Whelan, Arleen  (1916 - 1993)

White, George  (1892 - 1968)
Actor / director / producer on stage; appeared in some films.
On-Screen Appearances:

White, Jesse  (1917 - 1997)
(Jesse Weidenfeld)

White, Lee  (1888 - 1949)
(aka Lasses White)

White, Leo  (1882 - 1948)
Born in Germany

Whitehead, O. Z.  (1911 - 1998)
Given name: Oothout Zabriskie Whitehead
Character actor

Paul Whiteman  (1890 - 1967)
(Paul Whiteman Orchestra)

"King of Jazz." Born in Denver, Colorado. Violinist, orchestra leader. Very popular orchestra leader in the 1920s, '30s and '40s. Formed a dance band in San Francisco, California upon discharge from the Navy in 1918. Soon had several big hits, including "Japanese Sandman" and "Whispering." Introduced George Gershwin's "Symphony in Blue" (with Gershwin at the piano) at Aeolian Hall in 1924. Many big names to be were in Whiteman's band at one time or another - Bing Crosby, Red Nichols, Tommy Dorsey and many others.

See also: Composers: Paul Whiteman

Selected Feature Films:

Whitey's Lindy Hoppers
High-energy Swing Dance Group
See also: Congaroo Dancers
High-energy dance troupe specializing in the Lindy Hop, ca. 1935 - 1945
Originally formed by Whitey White in 1935 at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, NY. They were soon performing at the Cotton Club and then on to many other venues across the country and around the world. The troupe also trained new dancers, becoming a school for swing dancers. Any combination of the group and their students might appear in live venues and films.

Whitfield, Smoki  (1918 - 1967)
(Jordan Whitfield)
Actor

Whiting, Richard A.
(aka Dick Whiting)

Whitman, Slim  (1924 - )
Singer; country / pop crossover artist

Whitney, Eve  (1923 - 2002)

Whittell, Josephine  (1883 - 1961)

Whitty, Dame May  (1865 - 1948)

The Who

Legendary Rock group - one of the all time greats
Formed in 1963; original members:
Pete Townshend ( 1945 - ) Composer / Lead Guitarist
John Entwistle (1944 - 2002) Bass Guitarist
Keith Moon (1946 - 1978) Drummer
Roger Daltrey (1944 - ) Vocals
Kenney Jones replaced Keith Moon in 1978

Films on Class Act:

Wiata, Inia
(aka Inia Te Wiata)
Actor

Mary Wickes  (1910 - 1995)

Given name: Mary Wickenhauser; born in St. Louis, Missouri. Actress / comedienne on stage, screen and television for nearly 60 years.

Selected Feature Films:

Television Series (regular cast):

Widmark, Richard  (1914 - )
Actor on stage, screen and television

Wiere Brothers
Comedy team: Harry, Herbert and Sylvester Wiere

Wilcox, Frank  (1907 - 1974)

Cornel Wilde  (1915 - 1989)

Given name: Cornelius Wilde; born in New York, New York. Actor, direcor, producer. Started at Warner Bros. in 1940 and moved to 20th Century-Fox soon after. Played small parts for a while, then moved to lead parts with A Song to Remember (on loan to Columbia, 1945), earning an Academy Award nomination. After that, he played leads, generally in dramas. Formed his own production company, Theodora Productions, in 1955.

Selected Feature Films:

Wilde Twins  (1922 - )
(Lee and Lyn Wilde)

Given names: Mary Lyn and Marion Lee Wilde; born in East St. Louis, Illinois on October 10, 1922. Singer / actresses. Right out of high school, the twins landed a radio show on local station KXOK. After working on a river boat and touring with Ray Noble and His Orchestra and Charlie Barnet and His Orchestra (with whom they made two films), they joined Bob Crosby and His Orchestra. When Crosby worked on the Judy Garland film Presenting Lily Mars, the twins were spotted by MGM execs and contracted on the spot. They played in a number of MGM films, but stardom seemed to elude them. Lee retired from the movie world in 1949 and Lyn left in 1953.

For more information, see The Wilde Twins web site.

Feature Films:

Wilder, Marc  (1929 - 1983)

Wilder, Patricia  (1913 - 1995)

Willenz, Max  (1888 - 1954)
Born in Austria

Williams, Bonnie Lou
Dubbing Artist

Williams, Cara  (1925 - )
(Bernice Kamiat)

Williams, Charles  (1898 - 1958)

Williams, Chili  (1921 - 2003)
(Marian Sorenson)
Actress

Esther Williams  (1923 - )

Born in Los Angeles, California. Swimming champion and model turned actress. Legendary swimmer in some great MGM musicals. Very beautiful and charming. She also demonstrated her wonderful sense of comedy in many of her films. And she had some great co-stars, including Van Johnson, Howard Keel, Fernando Lamas, Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Durante, Red Skelton, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and many, many others. Esther's films are a lot of fun - don't miss 'em!

Feature Films:

Williams, Joe  (1918 - 1999)
Jazz / blues singer

Williams, Lottie  (1874 - 1962)
Actress

Williams, Rhys  (1897 - 1969)

Williams, Robert B.  (1904 - 1978)
(aka Robert Williams)

Williams, Tudor  (1896 - 1971)