William Russell

Acting

William Russell

Born April 12, 1884 · The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Died February 18, 1929 · aged 44

From Wikipedia William Russell (April 12, 1884 – February 18, 1929), born William Francis Lerche, was an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He appeared in over two hundred silent era motion pictures between 1910 and 1929, directing five of them in 1916 and producing two through his own production company in 1918 and 1925. Russell began his screen career in New York with the Bio…

Known For

UndineUndine · 1912
Undine
1912
MovieRomanceFantasy
In the days long ago when knights were brave and venturesome, enchanted forests grew and mythical creatures lived among us.
State Street SadieState Street Sadie · 1928
State Street Sadie
8.01928
MovieCrimeDrama
Unassuming clerk Tom Blake is framed for the murder of a policeman in the midst of a violent bank robbery. Considered a lost film.
Brass ButtonsBrass Buttons · 1919
Brass Buttons
1919
MovieComedy
Kingston Hollister admires Bernice Cleveland from afar. He asks Officer Callahan, the policeman on the beat, about her and mistakenly believes she is a lady's maid. So the wealthy Hollister disguises himself as the cop so he can meet her.
Dora ThorneDora Thorne · 1915
Dora Thorne
1915
MovieDrama
Ronald, heir to Lord Earle in Earlescourt, England, secretly loves Dora Thorne, a desirable but working-class woman. When Lord Earle hears of the relationship, he brings Valentine Charteris to the estate to distract his lovesick son. True to his love, however, Ronald refuses Valentine and marries Dora. After emigrating to Italy, Ronald earns a modest living as a painter, and Dora gives birth to twins. When Ronald receives a generous commission to paint a portrait, he asks Dora to pose for him, but overly preoccupied with the children, she refuses. Wounded by the rejection, Ronald calls on Valentine Charteris and quickly becomes infatuated with her, forcing Dora to return to Earlescourt with the twins.
Woman WiseWoman Wise · 1928
Woman Wise
8.01928
MovieComedyDrama
In Jedda, Persia, American consul George Gage, known as a woman hater, is shocked when his newly arrived assistant, "Billie Baxter," whom he assumes will be a man, turns out to be an attractive woman. Despite his formerly anti-female leanings, George finds himself falling in love with Billie and is jealous when his womanizing friend, Brad Wilson, arrives in Jedda and makes a play for her. At the same time, when the ruling Pasha, Abdul Mustapha, meets Billie, he also becomes smitten and tries to have her brought to his harem. Despite their rivalry, George and Brad join forces and save Billie from the Pasha, after which she decides that George is the man she loves and wants to marry. Considered a lost film.
The CrusaderThe Crusader · 1922
The Crusader
10.01922
MovieWestern
Veteran action hero William Russell starred opposite his offscreen wife Helen Ferguson in this typical Fox oater about a miner who finds himself up against a master swindler (George Webb).
Some LiarSome Liar · 1919
Some Liar
10.01919
MovieComedyWestern
Traveling salesman and teller of tall tales Robert Winchester McTabb arrives in Yellow Jacket, Arizona selling coffins and cradles with his motto that he "catches 'em coming and going." Celie Sterling believes McTabbs lies about his prowess and promises to buy a coffin if he will kill the man she wants to occupy it--Sheldon Lewis Kellard, who has papers which jeopardize her father's reputation.
The Torch BearerThe Torch Bearer · 1916
The Torch Bearer
8.01916
MovieDrama
Millionaire John Huntley-Knox, the owner of the Boston Star, fights political corruption with the aid of William Wendell, the reform district attorney.

Filmography

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A Sporting ChanceA Sporting Chance · 1919
A Sporting Chance
6.01919
MovieMysteryDrama
John Stonehouse (William Russell) checks into a hotel, intending to commit suicide. But instead he winds up helping a girl, Gilberte Bonheur (Fritzi Brunette), out of a jam. He finds her bending over a man who she has apparently killed, and since he's about to kill himself anyway, he offers to assume the blame. Throw a valuable emerald into the works, and the fact that the dead man suddenly comes back to life, and Stonehouse -- not to mention the audience -- becomes thoroughly befuddled by it all. Everything clears up, however, when Gilberte gives him a theater ticket -- it turns out that everything he went through was the plot to a stage play, enacted in real life by the actors. The critics roasted the play, saying it wasn't true to life, and this was their proof that the situations really could happen. Gilberte retires from acting when Stonehouse proposes.

John Stonehouse

Hearts or Diamonds?Hearts or Diamonds? · 1918
Hearts or Diamonds?
1918
MovieMysteryCrime
Wealthy diamond collector Larry Hanrahan is given the opportunity to assist the beautiful, jewel-bedecked woman he admires in a Broadway café when she and her guardian are attacked by robbers. Larry is invited to visit the grateful pair, Col. Paul Gascoyne and his ward Adrienne, at the colonel's laboratory, where he is introduced to Wintermute, a chemist who produces imitation diamonds. In return, Larry asks them to view his priceless diamond collection. Although he has fallen in love with Adrienne, Larry is forced to believe that she is a thief when he is robbed by a woman wearing Adrienne's scarf. Larry finds his jewels in Gascoyne's house, but before he can escape, a group of thugs overpowers him. Adrienne assists him in contacting the police, who arrive in time to capture Gascoyne and his gang. Badly wounded, the colonel confesses that Adrienne has been his innocent dupe, whereupon Larry happily takes her to his heart.

Producer