From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wild Bill Elliott (October 16, 1904 – November 26, 1965) was an American film actor. He specialized in playing the rugged heroes of B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series of films. By 1925, he was getting occasional extra work in films. He took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse and appeared in a few stage roles there. By 1927, he had made his first Western, The Arizona Wildcat, playing his first featured role. Several co-starring roles followed, and he renamed himself Gordon Elliott. But as the studios made the transition to sound films, he slipped back into roles as an extra and bit parts, as in Broadway Scandals, in 1929. For the next eight years, he appeared in over a hundred films for various studios, but almost always in unbilled parts as an extra. Elliott began to be noticed in some minor B Westerns, enough so that Columbia Pictures offered him the title role in a serial, The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1938). The serial was so successful, and Elliott so personable, that Columbia promoted him to starring in his own series of Western features, replacing Columbia's number-two cowboy star Robert "Tex" Allen. Henceforth Gordon Elliott would be known as Bill Elliott. Within two years, he was among the Motion Picture Herald's Top Ten Western Stars, where he would remain for the next 15 years. In 1943, Elliott signed with Republic Pictures, which cast him in a series of Westerns alongside George "Gabby" Hayes. The first of these, Calling Wild Bill Elliott, gave Elliott the name by which he would be best known and by which he would be billed almost exclusively for the rest of his career. Following several films in which both actor and character shared the name Wild Bill Elliott, he took the role for which he would be best remembered, that of Red Ryder in a series of sixteen movies about the famous comic strip cowboy and his young Indian companion, Little Beaver (played in Elliott's films by Bobby Blake). Elliott played the role for only two years but would forever be associated with it. Elliott's trademark was a pair of six guns worn butt-forward in their holsters. Elliott's career thrived during and after the Red Ryder films, and he continued making B Westerns into the early 1950s. He also had his own radio show during the late 1940s. His final contract as a Western star was with Monogram Pictures, where budgets declined as the B Western lost its audience to television. When Monogram became Allied Artists Pictures Corporation in 1953, it phased out its Western productions, and Elliott finished out his contract playing a homicide detective in a series of five modern police dramas, his first non-Westerns since 1938. Elliott retired from films (except for a couple of TV Western pilots which were not picked up). He worked for a time as a spokesman for Viceroy cigarettes and hosted a local TV program in Las Vegas, Nevada, which featured many of his Western films.
Movie | Imps* | Ezra And The Four Feingolds: Keyboards | 1983-12-12 |
Movie | It's Showtime | Self (archive footage) | 1976-03-31 |
Movie | Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch | (archive footage) | 1976-05-01 |
Movie | Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? | Self (archive footage) | 1975-08-06 |
Movie | Chain of Evidence | Andy Doyle | 1957-01-06 |
Movie | Footsteps in the Night | Andy Doyle | 1957-04-14 |
Movie | Calling Homicide | Andy Doyle | 1956-09-30 |
Movie | Sudden Danger | Andy Doyle | 1955-12-14 |
Movie | Dial Red O | Andy Flynn / Andy Doyle | 1955-03-13 |
Movie | Bitter Creek | Clay Tyndall (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1954-02-21 |
Movie | The Forty-Niners | Sam Nelson | 1954-07-30 |
Movie | The Homesteaders | Mace Corbin | 1953-03-22 |
Movie | Rebel City | Frank Graham | 1953-05-10 |
Movie | Vigilante Terror | Tack Hamlin | 1953-11-15 |
Movie | Topeka | Jim Levering | 1953-08-09 |
Movie | Kansas Territory | Joe Daniels (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1952-05-04 |
Movie | Waco | Matt Boone (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1952-02-24 |
Movie | Fargo | Bill Martin | 1952-09-07 |
Movie | The Maverick | Pete Devlin | 1952-12-14 |
Movie | The Longhorn | Jim Kirk | 1951-11-25 |
Movie | The Savage Horde | Ringo | 1950-05-22 |
Movie | The Showdown | Shadrach Jones | 1950-08-15 |
Movie | The Last Bandit | Frank Norris / Frank Plummer (as William Elliott) | 1949-02-25 |
Movie | Hellfire | Zeb Smith | 1949-05-29 |
Movie | Old Los Angeles | Bill Stockton (as William Elliott) | 1948-04-24 |
Movie | The Gallant Legion | Gary Conway | 1948-05-24 |
Movie | Wyoming | Charles Alderson | 1947-07-28 |
Movie | The Fabulous Texan | Josie Allen | 1947-11-09 |
Movie | Sheriff of Redwood Valley | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1946-03-29 |
Movie | California Gold Rush | Red Ryder | 1946-02-04 |
Movie | Sun Valley Cyclone | Red Ryder | 1946-05-10 |
Movie | In Old Sacramento | Johnny Barrett / Spanish Jack (as William Elliott) | 1946-05-31 |
Movie | Conquest of Cheyenne | Red Ryder | 1946-07-29 |
Movie | The Plainsman and the Lady | Sam Colton | 1946-11-11 |
Movie | Lone Texas Ranger | Red Ryder | 1945-05-20 |
Movie | Great Stagecoach Robbery | Red Ryder | 1945-02-15 |
Movie | Phantom of the Plains | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1945-09-07 |
Movie | Bells of Rosarita | Wild Bill Elliott | 1945-06-19 |
Movie | Colorado Pioneers | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1945-11-14 |
Movie | Wagon Wheels Westward | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1945-12-21 |
Movie | Marshal of Laredo | Red Ryder | 1945-10-06 |
Movie | Tucson Raiders | Red Ryder | 1944-05-14 |
Movie | Hidden Valley Outlaws | Bill Elliott | 1944-04-01 |
Movie | Mojave Firebrand | Wild Bill Elliott (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1944-03-19 |
Movie | Marshal of Reno | Red Ryder | 1944-07-02 |
Movie | San Antonio Kid | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1944-08-16 |
Movie | Sheriff of Las Vegas | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1944-12-31 |
Movie | Vigilantes of Dodge City | Red Ryder | 1944-11-15 |
Movie | Cheyenne Wildcat | Red Ryder (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1944-09-30 |
Movie | The Man from Thunder River | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-06-11 |
Movie | Calling Wild Bill Elliott | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-04-30 |
Movie | Bordertown Gun Fighters | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-07-08 |
Movie | Death Valley Manhunt | Marshal Wild Bill Elliott (as Wild Bill Elliott) | 1943-11-25 |
Movie | Overland Mail Robbery | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-11-20 |
Movie | Wagon Tracks West | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-08-18 |
Movie | Bullets for Bandits | 'Wild' Bill Hickok / Prince Katey | 1942-02-12 |
Movie | The Lone Star Vigilantes | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-01-01 |
Movie | The Devil's Trail | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-05-14 |
Movie | North of the Rockies | Sergeant Bill Cameron | 1942-04-02 |
Movie | Vengeance of the West | Joaquin Murietta aka The Black Shadow | 1942-08-16 |
Movie | The Valley of Vanishing Men | Wild Bill Tolliver | 1942-12-17 |
Movie | Prairie Gunsmoke | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-07-16 |
Movie | The Return of Daniel Boone | Wild Bill Boone | 1941-05-07 |
Movie | North from the Lone Star | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-03-30 |
Movie | Across the Sierras | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-02-13 |
Movie | Tank Patrol | Bluey | 1941-06-16 |
Movie | Roaring Frontiers | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-10-15 |
Movie | Hands Across the Rockies | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-06-19 |
Movie | King of Dodge City | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-08-14 |
Movie | The Son of Davy Crockett | Dave Crockett | 1941-07-15 |
Movie | The Man from Tumbleweeds | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-05-02 |
Movie | The Return of Wild Bill | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-06-26 |
Movie | Pioneers of the Frontier | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-02-14 |
Movie | Prairie Schooners | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-09-29 |
Movie | The Wildcat of Tucson | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-12-31 |
Movie | Beyond the Sacramento | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-11-11 |
Movie | Frontiers of '49 | John Freeman | 1939-01-19 |
Movie | The Roaring Twenties | Bootlegger (uncredited) | 1939-10-28 |
Movie | Overland with Kit Carson | Kit Carson | 1939-07-21 |
Movie | Boy of the Streets | Dr. Allan | 1938-01-08 |
Movie | The Lady in the Morgue | Chauncey Courtland | 1938-04-22 |
Movie | Letter of Introduction | Backgammon Man (uncredited) | 1938-08-05 |
Movie | The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1938-06-30 |
Movie | Melody for Two | Walter Wilson | 1937-05-01 |
Movie | Michael O'Halloran | Little Lord Fauntleroy (uncredited) | 1937-05-15 |
Movie | Swing It Professor | Randall | 1937-03-13 |
Movie | Midnight Court | City Attorney Seabrook | 1937-03-06 |
Movie | Boots and Saddles | Jim Neale | 1937-10-04 |
Movie | You Can't Have Everything | Lulu's Bathing Companion (uncredited) | 1937-08-02 |
Movie | Roll Along, Cowboy | Odie Fenton | 1937-10-18 |
Movie | Love Takes Flight | Bill Parker | 1937-11-05 |
Movie | Wife, Doctor and Nurse | Bruce Thomas | 1937-09-17 |
Movie | The Case of the Velvet Claws | Carl Griffin | 1936-07-03 |
Movie | Two Against the World | News Commentator (uncredited) | 1936-07-11 |
Movie | The Big Noise | Sharp, Board of Directors Member (uncredited) | 1936-06-22 |
Movie | China Clipper | Pilot (uncredited) | 1936-08-11 |
Movie | The Murder of Dr. Harrigan | Kenneth Martin | 1936-01-11 |
Movie | Bullets or Ballots | Hunter - Bank Worker (uncredited) | 1936-06-06 |
Movie | Murder by an Aristocrat | Dave Thatcher (as Gordon Elliott) | 1936-06-13 |
Movie | King of Hockey | 2nd Radio Announcer | 1936-12-19 |
Movie | Guns of the Pecos | Wellman, a Dude | 1936-12-28 |
Movie | Trailin' West | Jefferson Duane | 1936-09-04 |
Movie | Polo Joe | Don Trumbeau | 1936-11-04 |
Movie | Fugitive in the Sky | Ramon Duval | 1936-11-28 |
Movie | The Case of the Black Cat | Sam Laxter | 1936-10-31 |
Movie | Down the Stretch | Robert Bates | 1936-09-18 |
Movie | Go Into Your Dance | Jackson's Secretary / Dorothy's Dance Partner | 1935-04-20 |
Movie | 'G' Men | Bootlegger Who Gives Eddie the Bottle Outside the Club (uncredited) | 1935-05-04 |
Movie | The Girl from 10th Avenue | James, Clerk at College Club | 1935-06-01 |
Movie | Traveling Saleslady | Freddie | 1935-03-28 |
Movie | The Payoff | Maxine's Casino Escort (uncredited) | 1935-01-09 |
Movie | Bright Lights | Backstage Actor | 1935-07-27 |
Movie | The Right to Live | Wedding Guest | 1935-01-26 |
Movie | While the Patient Slept | Bank Teller | 1935-03-09 |
Movie | A Night at the Ritz | Vincent's Assistant (uncredited) | 1935-03-23 |
Movie | The Woman in Red | Stuart Wyatt | 1935-02-16 |
Movie | Dangerous | 1935-12-25 | |
Movie | Broadway Hostess | Playboy in 'Playboy of Paree' Number (uncredited) | 1935-12-07 |
Movie | Man of Iron | Charlie Fagan | 1935-12-21 |
Movie | Broadway Gondolier | Reporter | 1935-07-27 |
Movie | Moonlight on the Prairie | Jeff Holt | 1935-11-02 |
Movie | Stars Over Broadway | Minor Role | 1935-11-23 |
Movie | Page Miss Glory | Reporter (uncredited) | 1935-09-07 |
Movie | Dr. Socrates | Tom Collins - Greer's Associate | 1935-10-19 |
Movie | The Goose and the Gander | Teddy | 1935-09-21 |
Movie | Personal Maid's Secret | Warren Sherrill | 1935-10-26 |
Movie | Smarty | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1934-05-19 |
Movie | Registered Nurse | Male Nurse | 1934-04-06 |
Movie | Wonder Bar | Norman (uncredited) | 1934-03-31 |
Movie | Desirable | Party Guest | 1934-09-08 |
Movie | The Merry Frinks | Dancer (uncredited) | 1934-05-26 |
Movie | The Case of the Howling Dog | Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited) | 1934-09-22 |
Movie | Murder in the Clouds | Lt. Saunders | 1934-12-15 |
Movie | The Secret Bride | Governor's Secretary (uncredited) | 1934-12-22 |
Movie | A Lost Lady | Polo Match Spectator (uncredited) | 1934-09-29 |
Movie | Gold Diggers of 1933 | Night Club Patron (uncredited) | 1933-05-27 |
Movie | The Keyhole | Partygoer (uncredited) | 1933-03-25 |
Movie | The Little Giant | Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited) | 1933-05-20 |
Movie | Private Detective 62 | Man at Roulette Table (Uncredited) | 1933-06-10 |
Movie | Midnight Mary | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1933-06-30 |
Movie | Only Yesterday | New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited) | 1933-11-01 |
Movie | Stage Mother | Audience Member / Dexter's Party Guest | 1933-09-29 |
Movie | Handlebars | Bicyclist (uncredited) | 1933-08-26 |
Movie | One Hour with You | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-03-23 |
Movie | Vanity Fair | Bit Role | 1932-03-15 |
Movie | Scarface | Man Outside Theatre (uncredited) | 1932-04-09 |
Movie | The Greeks Had a Word for Them | Wedding Guest (uncredited) | 1932-02-03 |
Movie | Lady with a Past | Alex Brown (Uncredited) | 1932-02-19 |
Movie | The Mummy | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-12-22 |
Movie | A Successful Calamity | Polo Player (uncredited) | 1932-09-17 |
Movie | Jewel Robbery | Policeman Following Blonde (uncredited) | 1932-07-08 |
Movie | The Rich Are Always with Us | Gambler (uncredited) | 1932-05-19 |
Movie | Bachelor's Affairs | Ship's Passenger / Dance Extra (uncredited) | 1932-06-26 |
Movie | Merrily We Go to Hell | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-06-10 |
Movie | Five and Ten | Wedding Guest (uncredited) | 1931-06-13 |
Movie | Sweepstakes | Night Club Patron | 1931-07-10 |
Movie | Party Husband | Wedding Party Guest | 1931-06-06 |
Movie | Born to Love | Hotel Dancer (uncredited) | 1931-04-17 |
Movie | Broadminded | Hotel Guest on Veranda | 1931-08-01 |
Movie | Let's Do Things | Music Store Customer (uncredited) | 1931-06-06 |
Movie | God's Gift to Women | Minor Role (uncredited) | 1931-04-13 |
Movie | Delicious | Larry's Friend | 1931-12-27 |
Movie | The Public Defender | Country Club Guest | 1931-08-01 |
Movie | Left Over Ladies | Escort (uncredited) | 1931-09-30 |
Movie | Working Girls | Dance Extra / Lobby Extra | 1931-12-12 |
Movie | The Road to Reno | Party Boy | 1931-09-25 |
Movie | Blonde Crazy | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1931-09-16 |
Movie | Traveling Husbands | Hotel Dining Room Guest | 1931-08-15 |
Movie | The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu | 1930-05-02 | |
Movie | Lord Byron of Broadway | Party-Goer | 1930-02-28 |
Movie | What Men Want | Party Boy | 1930-07-12 |
Movie | The Girl Said No | Wedding Guest | 1930-03-15 |
Movie | She Who Gets Slapped | Poker Player | 1930-05-15 |
Movie | The Truth About Youth | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1930-11-03 |
Movie | Going Wild | Physical Exam Onlooker | 1930-12-21 |
Movie | Part Time Wife | Golfer (uncredited) | 1930-11-30 |
Movie | Sunny | One of Tom's War Buddies | 1930-11-09 |
Movie | Night Parade | Party Guest | 1929-10-27 |
Movie | The Great Divide | Ruth's Friend (uncredited) | 1929-09-15 |
Movie | Broadway Scandals | George Halloway | 1929-11-10 |
Movie | The Boy Friend | Gordon Elliot | 1928-11-10 |
Movie | Children of Divorce | Party Guest | 1927-04-25 |
Movie | The Drop Kick | Aggressive Student at Dance | 1927-09-25 |
Movie | The Private Life of Helen of Troy | Telemachus | 1927-12-09 |
Movie | The Shamrock Handicap | Well-Wishing Villager | 1926-05-02 |
Movie | The Plastic Age | Athlete (uncredited) | 1925-12-15 |
Movie | Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited) | 1925-12-25 |