Biography
Charles Cahill Wilson (July 29, 1894 – January 7, 1948) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood from the late 1920s to late 1940s. Born in New York City in 1894, the white-haired, burly actor was often typecast as an earnest police officer, newspaper editor or principal. He appeared in over 250 films between 1928 and 1948, mostly playing small supporting roles with a few sentences. Charles Wilson began his acting career at the theatre, including roles in six Broadway plays between 1918 and 1931. In 1928, he directed the Hollywood comedy Lucky Boy (1928), where he also made his film debut. According to the Internet Movie Database, Lucky Boy was Wilson's only film as a director. His most notable role was probably Clark Gable's "wonderfully aggravated" newspaper boss in Frank Capra's comedy It Happened One Night, which won five Academy Awards in 1935. He was also cast in small roles in other Capra movies such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Shortly before his death, Wilson appeared as the boss of the Three Stooges in the two-reel comedy Crime on Their Hands (1948).
Acted in 169
1950s
- 1956
Commotion on the Ocean
J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
1940s
- 1948
Crime on Their Hands
J.L. Cameron
Blazing Across the Pecos
Mayor Ace Brockway
Big Town Scandal
Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
- 1947
Key Witness
Warden (uncredited)
- 1946
Gas House Kids
Inspector Shannon
Blonde for a Day
Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Larceny in Her Heart
Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Passkey to Danger
Police Sergeant
Crime of the Century
Police Lieutenant
- 1945
Week-End at the Waldorf
Hi Johns
A Gun in His Hand
Chief of Police (uncredited)
Two O'Clock Courage
Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
- 1944
The Missing Juror
Mac Ellis (uncredited)
Crime by Night
District Attorney Hyatt
Hey, Rookie
Sam Jonas
- 1943
Silver Spurs
Mr. Hawkins
- 1942
The Secret Code
Desk Sgt. Cullen
Escape from Crime
C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
Dr. Broadway
District Attorney McNamara
This Gun for Hire
Police Captain
The Man Who Returned to Life
Inspector Mensil
Blondie Goes to College
Police Sergeant
- 1941
The Officer and the Lady
Police Captain Hart
Dressed to Kill
Newspaper Editor
Federal Fugitives
Bruce Lane
The Face Behind the Mask
Chief O'Brien
- 1940
Charter Pilot
Owen
Lady with Red Hair
George Martin (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Public Deb No. 1
Sergeant
Millionaires in Prison
R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)
Girl in 313
Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police
Sandy Is a Lady
Sergeant
Gangs of Chicago
Movie
He Married His Wife
Warden
1930s
- 1939
Smashing the Money Ring
Capt. Kilrane
Here I Am a Stranger
Managing Editor
Hotel for Women
Albert
The Cowboy Quarterback
Coach Hap Farrell
The House of Fear
Police Chief
Rose of Washington Square
Mike Cavanaugh
Fighting Thoroughbreds
Spencer Bogart
- 1938
Angels with Dirty Faces
Movie
The Spider's Web
Chase
The Night Hawk
Lonigan
Hold That Co-ed
Coach Burke
Tenth Avenue Kid
Commissioner
Gateway
Inspector
When Were You Born
Inspector Jim C. Gregg
Prison Farm
Reardon
Little Miss Thoroughbred
Becker
State Police
Captain Halstead
Sally, Irene and Mary
Covered Wagon Cafe Manager
- 1937
Daughter of Shanghai
Schwartz (uncredited)
The Adventurous Blonde
Mortimer Gray
That’s My Story
Cummings
Partners in Crime
Inspector Simpson
Life Begins in College
Tom Burke
Broadway Melody of 1938
Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
One Mile from Heaven
Fletcher
Roaring Timber
Sam Garvin
The Case of the Stuttering Bishop
Hamilton Burger
Night Key
Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
Midnight Court
Police Chief
Murder Goes to College
Police Inspector Simpson
The Great O'Malley
Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)
They Wanted to Marry
Clark
Woman in Distress
Editor Herbert Claxton
Find the Witness
Charley Blair (uncredited)
- 1936
Mind Your Own Business
Detective
Legion of Terror
Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)
The Magnificent Brute
Murphy
Murder with Pictures
Assistant Editor (uncredited)
Down the Stretch
Tex Reardon
The Gentleman from Louisiana
Diamond Jim Brady
Grand Jury
City Editor
36 Hours to Kill
F.B.I. Chief
Show Boat
Movie
The Mine with the Iron Door
Pitkins
Panic on the Air
Fitzgerald
Big Brown Eyes
Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
The Country Doctor
George the Boat Captain (uncredited)
The Return of Jimmy Valentine
Kelley
Strike Me Pink
Hardie
- 1935
Hitch Hike Lady
Mike - a Racketeer
We're Only Human
Editor of The Daily Star
White Lies
Defense Attorney (uncredited)
Show Them No Mercy!
Clifford
Mary Burns, Fugitive
G-Man at dancehall
Music Is Magic
Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
Waterfront Lady
Jim McFee aka Mac
The Public Menace
First Detective
Smart Girl
Morgan (uncredited)
After the Dance
Chief of Police
The Glass Key
District Attorney Edward J. Farr
The Nitwits
Police Captain Jennings
Murder in the Fleet
Commander Brown (Uncredited)
Air Hawks
Newspaper editor
Men of the Hour
Harper
The Case of the Curious Bride
Ferry Captain (uncredited)
Baby Face Harrington
City Editor (uncredited)
Four Hours to Kill!
Taft
The Perfect Clue
District Attorney
Car 99
Trooper Captain Ryan
The Great Hotel Murder
Anthony Wilson
The Gilded Lily
Managing Editor
- 1934
Here Is My Heart
Captain Dodge (uncredited)
Murder in the Clouds
Lackey
Men of the Night
Benson
Port of Lost Dreams
Warden
The Human Side
Furniture Buyer (uncredited)
The Dragon Murder Case
Det. Hennessey
Name the Woman
Joel Walker
The Circus Clown
Sheldon
The Hell Cat
Graham
Fog Over Frisco
Detective Sergeant O'Hagen
Affairs of a Gentleman
Inspector Quillan
I Believed in You
Magistrate
The 9th Guest
Burke (Uncredited)
Cross Country Cruise
Detective (Uncredited)
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
Chief of Police
- 1933
Shadows of Sing Sing
Movie
Havana Widows
Mr. Timberg
Female
Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
College Coach
Charles Hauser
No Marriage Ties
Red Moran, City Desk Editor
Mary Stevens, M.D.
Walter Rising
Disgraced!
Thompson, Assistant District Attorney
Elmer, the Great
Mr. Wade (as Charles Wilson)
Hard to Handle
Jailer (uncredited)
- 1932
The Trans-Atlantic Mystery
Detective Doyle (uncredited)
- 1931
Hot News Margie
Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
My Sin
Guest in Pool Party
Stolen Heaven
Detective
- 1930
Insurance
Doctor (uncredited)
Getting a Ticket
Motorcycle Cop
1920s
- 1929
Acquitted
Nelson
Song of Love
Traveling Salesman
Broadway Scandals
Jack
Directed 1
1920s
- 1929
Lucky Boy
Director