Theodore Childress "Chill" Wills (July 18, 1902 – December 15, 1978) was an American actor and a singer in the Avalon Boys quartet.

Early life

Wills was born in

Seagoville, Texas Seagoville ( ) is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Dallas. A small portion of Seagoville extends into Kaufman County. The population was 14,835 at the 2010 census. The city is located along U.S. Highway 175, from do ...

, on July 18, 1902.

Career

He was a performer from early childhood, forming and leading the Avalon Boys singing group in the 1930s. After appearing in a few

Westerns The Western is a genre set in the American frontier and commonly associated with folk tales of the Western United States, particularly the Southwestern United States, as well as Northern Mexico and Western Canada. It is commonly referred ...

, he disbanded the group in 1938, and struck out on a solo acting career. One of his more memorable roles was that of the distinctive voice of

Francis the Talking Mule Francis the Talking Mule was a mule character who gained popularity during the 1950s as the star of seven popular Universal-International film comedies. The character originated in the 1946 novel ''Francis'' by former U.S. Army Captain David S ...

in a series of popular films. Wills' deep, rough voice, with its Western twang, was matched to the personality of the cynical, sardonic mule. As was customary at the time, Wills was given no billing for his vocal work, though he was featured prominently on-screen as blustery General Ben Kaye in the fourth entry, ''

Francis Joins the WACS ''Francis Joins the WACS'' is a 1954 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Ted Richmond, directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Donald O'Connor, Julie Adams, ZaSu Pitts, Mamie Van Doren and Chill Wills in t ...

''. He provided the deep voice for Stan Laurel's performance of "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine" in '' Way Out West'' (1937), in which the Avalon Boys Quartet appeared. McLintock! 4

Wills was cast in numerous serious film roles, including as "the city of Chicago" as personified by a phantom police sergeant in the film noir ''

City That Never Sleeps ''City That Never Sleeps'' is a 1953 American film noir crime film directed by John H. Auer and starring Gig Young, Mala Powers, William Talman, Edward Arnold, Chill Wills, Marie Windsor, and Paula Raymond, with cinematography by John L. Russe ...

'' (1953), and that of Uncle Bawley in ''

Giant In folklore, giants (from Ancient Greek: ''gigas'', cognate giga-) are beings of human-like appearance, but are at times prodigious in size and strength or bear an otherwise notable appearance. The word ''giant'' is first attested in 1297 fr ...

'' (1956), which also features

Rock Hudson Rock Hudson (born Roy Harold Scherer Jr.; November 17, 1925 – October 2, 1985) was an American actor. One of the most popular movie stars of his time, he had a screen career spanning more than three decades. A prominent heartthrob in the Golde ...

, Elizabeth Taylor, and James Dean. Wills was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Davy Crockett's companion Beekeeper in the film '' The Alamo'' (1960). However, his aggressive campaign for the award was considered tasteless by many, including the film's star/director/producer John Wayne, who publicly apologized for Wills. His publicity agent, Wojciechowicz "Bow Wow" Wojtkiewicz (former husband of gossip columnist

Sheilah Graham Sheilah Graham (born Lily Shiel; 15 September 1904 – 17 November 1988) was a British-born, nationally syndicated American gossip columnist during Hollywood's "Golden Age". In her youth, she had been a showgirl and a freelance writer for F ...

), accepted blame for the ill-advised effort, claiming that Wills knew nothing about it. The Oscar was won by Peter Ustinov for his role as

Lentulus Batiatus Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Vatia (also called Lentulus Batiatus by Plutarch) was the Roman owner of a gladiatorial school in ancient Capua. It was from this school that, in 73 BC, the Thracian slave Spartacus and about 70 to 78 followers escaped. T ...

in ''

Spartacus Spartacus ( el, Σπάρτακος '; la, Spartacus; c. 103–71 BC) was a Thracian gladiator who, along with Crixus, Gannicus, Castus, and Oenomaus, was one of the escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprisin ...

''. Wills was a poker player and a close friend of Benny Binion, the founder of the

World Series of Poker The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a series of poker tournaments held annually in Paradise, Nevada and, since 2004, sponsored by Caesars Entertainment. It dates its origins to 1970, when Benny Binion invited seven of the best-known poker p ...

and former owner of Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wills participated in the first World Series, held in 1970, and is seated in the center of the famous picture with a number of legendary players. In 1959, he starred as Bije Wilcox in "The Bije Wilcox Story" on ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

''. In

Rory Calhoun Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922April 28, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He starred in numerous Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as '' How to Marry a Milli ...

's Western series '' The Texan'', Wills appeared in the lead role in the 1960 episode titled "The Eyes of Captain Wylie". Wills starred in the short-run series '' Frontier Circus'', which aired for only one season (1961–62) on CBS. In 1966, he was cast in the role of a shady Texas rancher, Jim Ed Love, in the short-lived comedy/Western series '' The Rounders'' (reprising his role in the 1965 film '' The Rounders'', starring

Henry Fonda Henry Jaynes Fonda (May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American actor. He had a career that spanned five decades on Broadway and in Hollywood. He cultivated an everyman screen image in several films considered to be classics. Born and ra ...

), with co-stars

Ron Hayes Ronald G. Hayes (February 26, 1929 – October 1, 2004) was an American television actor who, as an activist in the environmental movement, worked for the establishment of the first Earth Day, observed on April 22, 1970. He was a member of t ...

Patrick Wayne Patrick John Morrison (born July 15, 1939), better known by his stage name Patrick Wayne, is an American actor. He is the second son of movie star John Wayne and his first wife, Josephine Alicia Saenz. He made over 40 films, including eleven w ...

, and

Walker Edmiston Walker Edmiston (February 6, 1926 – February 15, 2007) was an American radio, television and voice actor. Early years Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Edmiston participated in local theater productions during his high school years. He later stu ...

. In 1962 he guest-starred on Gunsmoke, as a deranged mountain man, and old friend of Matt Dillon, preying on homesteaders. His murderous rampage results in his violent death. In 19631964, Wills joined

William Lundigan William Paul Lundigan (June 12, 1914 – December 20, 1975) was an American film actor. His more than 125 films include '' Dodge City'' (1939), ''The Fighting 69th'' (1940), ''The Sea Hawk'' (1940), ''Santa Fe Trail'' (1940), '' Dishonored Lady ...

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in '' Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky'' (1938), and '' The Westerner ...

, and

Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (November 30, 1918 – May 2, 2014) was an American actor known for his starring roles in the television series ''77 Sunset Strip'' and ''The F.B.I.'' He is also known as recurring character "Dandy Jim Buckley" in the se ...

in making appearances on behalf of U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater, the

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

nominee in the campaign against U.S. President

Lyndon B. Johnson Lyndon Baines Johnson (; August 27, 1908January 22, 1973), often referred to by his initials LBJ, was an American politician who served as the 36th president of the United States from 1963 to 1969. He had previously served as the 37th vice ...

. Later, in 1968, Wills refused to support

Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...

for the presidency and served as master of ceremonies for

George C. Wallace George Corley Wallace Jr. (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Alabama for four terms. A member of the Democratic Party, he is best remembered for his staunch segregationist and ...

, former governor of Alabama, for the California campaign stops in Wallace's

presidential campaign President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese fu ...

. Wills was among the few Hollywood celebrities to endorse Wallace's bid against Nixon and

Hubert H. Humphrey Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. (May 27, 1911 – January 13, 1978) was an American pharmacist and politician who served as the 38th vice president of the United States from 1965 to 1969. He twice served in the United States Senate, representing Mi ...

; another was

. Also in 1968, he starred in the ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character ...

'' episode "A Noose for Dobie Price", where he played Elihu Gorman, a former outlaw who joins forces with Marshal Matt Dillon, played by

James Arness James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 – June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series '' Gunsmoke''. Arness has the distinction of having played the ...

, to track down a member of his former gang who has escaped jail. In 1971, he appeared as Pat Reedy on ''The Men from Shiloh'' (rebranded name of the TV Western '' The Virginian'') in the episode titled "The Angus Killer". His last role was in 1978, as a janitor in ''Stubby Pringle's Christmas''.

Death

On December 15, 1978, Wills died of cancer in Encino, California, aged 76. He was cremated and interred at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Partial filmography

* ''

It's a Gift ''It's a Gift'' is a 1934 American comedy film starring W.C. Fields. It was Fields's 16th sound film, and his fifth in 1934 alone. It was directed by Norman McLeod, who had directed Fields in his cameo as Humpty Dumpty in ''Alice in Wonderlan ...

'' (1934) as Campfire Singer (uncredited) * ''

Bar 20 Rides Again ''Bar 20 Rides Again'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Gerald Geraghty and Doris Schroeder. The film stars William Boyd, James Ellison, Jean Rouverol, George "Gabby" Hayes, Harry Worth, Frank McGlynn ...

'' (1935) as Background Singer / Henchman * ''

Anything Goes ''Anything Goes'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The original book was a collaborative effort by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The story concerns madcap ant ...

'' (1936) as Member of The Avalon Boys (uncredited) * '' Call of the Prairie'' (1936) as singing cowhand * ''

Hideaway Girl ''Hideaway Girl'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by George Archainbaud and written by David Garth and Joseph Moncure March. The film stars Shirley Ross, Robert Cummings, Martha Raye, Monroe Owsley, Elizabeth Russell and Louis Da Pron. ...

'' (1936) as Lead Singer of Avalon Boys * '' Way Out West'' (1937) as Lead Singer of the Avalon Boys / Stan's Bass Singing (uncredited) * '' Nobody's Baby'' (1937) as Amateur Hour Lead Quartet Singer * ''

Block-Heads ''Block-Heads'' is a 1938 comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It was produced by Hal Roach Studios for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, a reworking of elements from the Laurel and Hardy shorts ''We Fa ...

'' (1938) as Midget in Elevator (voice, uncredited) * '' Lawless Valley'' (1938) as Deputy Speedy McGow * ''

Arizona Legion ''Arizona Legion'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by David Howard from a screenplay by Oliver Drake, based on Bernard McConville's story. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, it was released on January 20, 1939, and stars ...

'' (1939) as Whopper Hatch * ''

Trouble in Sundown ''Trouble in Sundown'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by David Howard, using a screenplay by Oliver Drake, Dorrell McGowan and Stuart McGowan, based on a story by Charles F. Royal. Starring George O'Brien, Rosalind Keith, Ray Wh ...

'' (1939) as Whopper * ''

Sorority House North American fraternity and sorority housing refers largely to the houses or housing areas in which fraternity and sorority members live and work together. In addition to serving as housing, fraternity and sorority housing may also serve to ...

'' (1939) as Mr. Johnson * ''

Racketeers of the Range ''Racketeers of the Range'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman from a screenplay by Oliver Drake, based on Bernard McConville's story. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, the film was released on May 26 ...

'' (1939) as Whopper Hatch * ''

Timber Stampede ''Timber Stampede'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by David Howard from a screenplay by Morton Grant, based on a story by Bernard McConville and Paul Franklin. The film stars George O'Brien, Chill Wills, and Marjorie Reynolds. RKO ...

'' (1939) as Whopper Hatch * ''

The Day the Bookies Wept ''The Day the Bookies Wept'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Bert Granet and George Jeske. The film stars Joe Penner, Betty Grable, Richard Lane, Tom Kennedy and Thurston Hall. The film was released on S ...

'' (1939) as Man on Bus (uncredited) * ''

Allegheny Uprising ''Allegheny Uprising'' (released in the UK as ''The First Rebel'') is a 1939 American Adventure Western film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne. Based on the 1937 novel ''The First Rebel'' by Neil H. Swanson, ...

'' (1939) as John M'Cammon * ''

Boom Town A boomtown is a community that undergoes sudden and rapid population and economic growth, or that is started from scratch. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although ...

'' (1940) as Deputy Harmony Jones * ''

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

'' (1940) as Lafe (uncredited) * '' The Westerner'' (1940) as Southeast * ''

Sky Murder ''Sky Murder'' is a 1940 detective film starring Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter in his third and final outing for MGM as Nick Carter. The film was part of a trilogy based on original screen stories starring the popular literary series ch ...

'' (1940) as Sheriff Beckwith * ''

Tugboat Annie Sails Again ''Tugboat Annie Sails Again'' is a 1940 American comedy romance film directed by Lewis Seiler. The picture is a sequel to ''Tugboat Annie'' (1933). Marjorie Rambeau took over the late Marie Dressler's role, and the supporting cast features Alan H ...

'' (1940) as Shiftless * ''

Western Union The Western Union Company is an American multinational financial services company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1851 as the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company in Rochester, New York, the company cha ...

'' (1941) as Homer Kettle * '' The Bad Man'' (1941) as 'Red' Giddings * ''

Billy the Kid Billy the Kid (born Henry McCarty; September 17 or November 23, 1859July 14, 1881), also known by the pseudonym William H. Bonney, was an outlaw and gunfighter of the American Old West, who killed eight men before he was shot and killed at th ...

'' (1941) as Tom Patterson * ''

Belle Starr Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr (February 5, 1848 – February 3, 1889), better known as Belle Starr, was an American outlaw who gained national notoriety after her violent death. She associated with the James–Younger Gang and other outlaws ...

'' (1941) as Blue Duck * ''

Honky Tonk A honky-tonk (also called honkatonk, honkey-tonk, or tonk) is both a bar that provides country music for the entertainment of its patrons and the style of music played in such establishments. It can also refer to the type of piano ( tack piano) ...

'' (1941) as The Sniper * ''

The Bugle Sounds ''The Bugle Sounds'' is a 1942 American World War II movie starring Wallace Beery as a cavalry sergeant resistant to replacing horses with tanks. The supporting cast includes Marjorie Main, Lewis Stone, George Bancroft, Donna Reed, and Chill ...

'' (1942) as Sgt. Larry Dillon * ''

Tarzan's New York Adventure ''Tarzan's New York Adventure'' (also known as ''Tarzan Against the World'') is a 1942 black-and-white adventure film from Metro Goldwyn Mayer, produced by Frederick Stephani, directed by Richard Thorpe, that stars Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen ...

'' (1942) as Manchester Montford * '' Her Cardboard Lover'' (1942) as Judge * ''

The Omaha Trail ''The Omaha Trail'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Edward Buzzell. It stars James Craig and Pamela Blake. Cast * James Craig as Pat Candel * Pamela Blake as Julie Santley * Dean Jagger as Pipsestone Ross * Edward Ellis as Mr. V ...

'' (1942) as Henry Hawkins * ''

Apache Trail The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains. The historic A ...

'' (1942) as 'Pike' Skelton * ''

Stand by for Action ''Stand By for Action'' (British title: ''Cargo of Innocents'') is a 1942 American black-and-white U.S. Navy war film from MGM, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, and starring Robert Taylor (American actor), Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy, Charles Laug ...

'' (1942) as Chief Boatswain's Mate Jenks * '' A Stranger in Town'' (1943) as Charles Craig * '' Best Foot Forward'' (1943) as Chester Short * '' See Here, Private Hargrove'' (1944) as First Sgt. Cramp * ''

Rationing Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial restriction of demand. Rationing controls the size of the ration, which is one's allowed portion of the resources being distributed on a particular ...

'' (1944) as Bus Driver (scenes deleted) * ''

Barbary Coast Gent ''Barbary Coast Gent'' is a 1944 American Western comedy film set in 1880s San Francisco's Barbary Coast and Nevada starring Wallace Beery. The movie was directed by Roy Del Ruth and features Binnie Barnes, Beery's brother Noah Beery, Sr., Joh ...

'' (1944) as Sheriff Hightower * ''

Meet Me in St. Louis ''Meet Me in St. Louis'' is a 1944 American Christmas film, Christmas musical film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Divided into a series of seasonal vignettes, starting with Summer 1903, it relates the story of a year in the life of the Smith famil ...

'' (1944) as Mr. Neely * '' I'll Be Seeing You'' (1944) as Swanson * ''

Sunday Dinner for a Soldier ''Sunday Dinner for a Soldier'' is a 1944 American drama romance war film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Anne Baxter and John Hodiak. It is based on a novelette by Martha Cheavens. Plot A poor family in Florida saves all the money they c ...

'' (1944) as Mr. York * ''

What Next, Corporal Hargrove? ''What Next, Corporal Hargrove?'' is a 1945 black-and-white comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Walker and Keenan Wynn. It was distributed by MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ...

'' (1945) as Sgt. Cramp * ''

Leave Her to Heaven ''Leave Her to Heaven'' is a 1945 American psychological thriller film noir melodrama directed by John M. Stahl and starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, and Vincent Price. It follows a socialite who marries a prominent novelist, ...

'' (1945) as Leick Thome * ''

The Harvey Girls ''The Harvey Girls'' is a 1946 Technicolor American musical film produced by Arthur Freed for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It is based on the 1942 novel of the same name by Samuel Hopkins Adams, about Fred Harvey's Harvey House waitresses. Directed ...

'' (1946) as H.H. Hartsey * '' Gallant Bess'' (1946) as Chief Petty Officer * ''

The Yearling ''The Yearling'' is a novel by American writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, published in March 1938. It was the main selection of the Book of the Month Club in April 1938. It won the 1939 Pulitzer Prize for the Novel. It was the best-selling n ...

'' (1946) as Buck Forrester * '' High Barbaree'' (1947) as Lars (uncredited) * '' Heartaches'' (1947) as 'Breezie' Mann * '' The Sainted Sisters'' (1948) as Will Twitchell * ''

Northwest Stampede ''Northwest Stampede'' is a 1948 American contemporary Northwestern film produced and directed by Albert S. Rogell. It stars Joan Leslie and James Craig. The film was shot in Cinecolor in Alberta and features the Calgary Stampede. Joan Leslie ...

'' (1948) as Mileaway * ''

The Saxon Charm ''The Saxon Charm'' is a 1948 American film noir drama film written and directed by Claude Binyon based on the novel of the same name by Frederic Wakeman Sr. and starring Robert Montgomery (actor), Robert Montgomery, Susan Hayward, John Payne (ac ...

'' (1948) as Captain Chatham * ''

That Wonderful Urge ''That Wonderful Urge'' is a 1948 20th Century Fox screwball comedy film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and starring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney.''Harrison's Reports'' film review; November 27, 1948, page 190. It is a remake of ''Love Is News' ...

'' (1948) as Homer Beggs - Justice of the Peace - Monroe Township * ''

Family Honeymoon ''Family Honeymoon'' is a 1949 domestic comedy film made by Universal International, directed by Claude Binyon, and written by Dane Lussier, based on novel by Homer Croy. It was shot in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Plot Katie Armstrong ...

'' (1948) as Fred * '' Loaded Pistols'' (1948) as Sheriff Cramer * ''

Tulsa Tulsa () is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 47th-most populous city in the United States. The population was 413,066 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with ...

'' (1949) as Pinky Jimpson (Narrator) * '' Red Canyon'' (1949) as Brackton * ''

Francis Francis may refer to: People *Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome *Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Francis (surname) Places * Rural M ...

'' (1950) as Francis the Talking Mule (voice, uncredited) * '' The Sundowners'' (1950) as Sam Beers * '' Rock Island Trail'' (1950) as Hogger McCoy * '' Stella'' (1950) as Chief Clark (uncredited) * '' High Lonesome'' (1950) as Boatwhistle, Ranch Cook * ''

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

'' (1950) as Dr. Wilkins (regimental surgeon) * ''

Oh! Susanna "Oh! Susanna" is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster (1826–1864), first published in 1848. It is among the most popular American songs ever written. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all tim ...

'' (1951) as Sergeant Barhydt * ''

Francis Goes to the Races ''Francis Goes to the Races'' is a 1951 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, that stars Donald O'Connor, Piper Laurie, and Cecil Kellaway. The distinctive voic ...

'' (1951) as Francis the Talking Mule (voice, uncredited) * ''

Cattle Drive A cattle drive is the process of moving a herd of cattle from one place to another, usually moved and herded by cowboys on horses. Europe In medieval central Europe, annual cattle drives brought Hungarian Grey cattle across the Danube River ...

'' (1951) as Dallas * ''

The Sea Hornet ''The Sea Hornet'' is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Joseph Kane and written by Gerald Drayson Adams. The film stars Rod Cameron, Adele Mara, Lorna Gray, Chill Wills, Jim Davis and Richard Jaeckel. The film was released on November ...

'' (1951) as Swede * '' Bronco Buster'' (1952) as Dan Bream * ''

Francis Goes to West Point ''Francis Goes to West Point'' is a 1952 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, and starring Donald O'Connor, Lori Nelson, Alice Kelley, and Gregg Palmer. The dis ...

'' (1952) as Francis the Talking Mule (voice, uncredited) * '' Ride the Man Down'' (1952) as Ike Adams * '' Small Town Girl'' (1953) as 'Happy', Jailer (uncredited) * ''

Francis Covers the Big Town ''Francis Covers the Big Town'' is a 1953 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, that stars Donald O'Connor, Yvette Duguay, and Gene Lockhart. The distinctive vo ...

'' (1953) as Francis the Talking Mule (voice, uncredited) * ''

'' (1953) as Sgt. Joe, the 'Voice of Chicago' * ''

The Man from the Alamo ''The Man from the Alamo'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Glenn Ford, Julie Adams and Chill Wills.Budd Boetticher: The Last Interview Wheeler, Winston Dixon. Film Criticism; Meadville Vol. 26, Iss. 3, ...

'' (1953) as John Gage * ''

Tumbleweed A tumbleweed is a structural part of the above-ground anatomy of a number of species of plants. It is a diaspore that, once mature and dry, detaches from its root or stem and rolls due to the force of the wind. In most such species, the tumbl ...

'' (1953) as Sheriff Murchoree * ''

'' (1954) as Gen. Benjamin Kaye / Francis the Talking Mule (voice) * ''

Ricochet Romance "Ricochet" (sometimes rendered "Rick-o-Shay" and also as "Ricochet Romance") is a popular music, popular song. The credits show it to be written by Larry Coleman (composer), Larry Coleman, Joe Darion, and Norman Gimbel, without apportioning the w ...

'' (1954) as Tom Williams * '' Hell's Outpost'' (1954) as Kevin Russel * ''

Timberjack Timberjack is a manufacturer of forestry machinery for both cut-to-length and whole tree logging, and was a subsidiary of John Deere from 2000 to 2006. History Timberjack was founded in Woodstock, Ontario in the 1950s by Wesley Maggill and ...

'' (1955) as Steve Riika * ''

Kentucky Rifle The long rifle, also known as the longrifle, Kentucky rifle, Pennsylvania rifle, or American longrifle, a muzzle-loading firearm used for hunting and warfare, was one of the first commonly-used rifles. The American rifle was characterized by a ...

'' (1955) as Tobias Taylor * ''

Francis in the Navy ''Francis in the Navy'' is a 1955 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Stanley Rubin and directed by Arthur Lubin. The film stars Donald O'Connor and Martha Hyer, and marked the first credited film role ...

'' (1955) as Francis the Talking Mule (voice, uncredited) * ''

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is the center of Chile's most densely populated region, the Santiago Metropolitan Region, whose ...

'' (1956) as Captain 'Sidewheel' Jones * ''

'' (1956) as Uncle Bawley * ''

Gun for a Coward ''Gun for a Coward'' is a 1957 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Abner Biberman and starring Fred MacMurray, Jeffrey Hunter and Janice Rule. The film also stars Josephine Hutchinson as MacMurray's mother, despite being less than five ...

'' (1957) as Loving * ''

Gun Glory ''Gun Glory'' is a 1957 American Metrocolor Western film directed by Roy Rowland starring Stewart Granger and Rhonda Fleming. Plot Tom Early rides into a Wyoming town where he once lived with his wife and son. In the general store, owner Wainsc ...

'' (1957) as Preacher * ''

From Hell to Texas ''From Hell to Texas'' is a 1958 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Don Murray and Diane Varsi. Plot Ruthless cattle baron Hunter Boyd orders his riders to capture a former ranch-hand, Tod Lohman, suspected of murder ...

'' (1958) as Amos Bradley * ‘’

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

’’ (1958) as Mr. Kilmer (segment “Don’t Interrupt”) * ''

The Sad Horse ''The Sad Horse'' is a 1959 American drama film directed by James B. Clark, written by Charles Hoffman and starring David Ladd, Chill Wills, Rex Reason, Patrice Wymore, Gregg Palmer and Eve Brent. One of API's first films, it was released in ...

'' (1959) as Capt Connors * '' The Alamo'' (1960) as Beekeeper * ''

Where the Boys Are ''Where the Boys Are'' is a 1960 American CinemaScope comedy film directed by Henry Levin and starring Connie Francis, Dolores Hart, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton, Yvette Mimieux, Jim Hutton, and Frank Gorshin. It was written by George ...

'' (1960) as Police Captain * '' Gold of the Seven Saints'' (1961) as Doc Wilson Gates * '' The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come'' (1961) as Major Buford * ''

The Deadly Companions ''The Deadly Companions'' is a 1961 American Western and war film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Maureen O'Hara, Brian Keith, Steve Cochran, and Chill Wills. Based on the novel of the same name by A. S. Fleischman, the film is abo ...

'' (1961) as Turk, "a half-crazed card shark" * ''

'' (1962) as Abe Blocker * ''

Young Guns of Texas ''Young Guns of Texas'' is a 1962 American Western film directed by Maury Dexter and starring James Mitchum, Alana Ladd and Jody McCrea.YOUNG GUNS OF TEXAS Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 30, Iss. 348, (Jan 1, 1963): 134. The supporting ...

'' (1962) as Preacher Sam Shelby * ''

McLintock! :''See also McClintock (disambiguation)'' ''McLintock!'' is a 1963 American Western comedy film, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, directed by Andrew V. McLaglen. The film co-stars Wayne's son Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers, Jack Kru ...

'' (1963) as Drago * ''

The Wheeler Dealers ''The Wheeler Dealers'' (a.k.a. ''Separate Beds'' in the UK) is a 1963 American romantic comedy film produced by Martin Ransohoff, directed by Arthur Hiller and starring James Garner and Lee Remick. The script was written by George Goodman and ...

'' (1963) as Jay Ray Spinelby * ''

The Cardinal ''The Cardinal'' is a 1963 American drama film produced independently, directed by Otto Preminger and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The screenplay was written by Robert Dozier, based on the novel of the same name (1950) by Henry Morton Robi ...

'' (1963) as Monsignor Whittle * '' The Rounders'' (1965) as Jim Ed Love * ''

Fireball 500 ''Fireball 500'' is a 1966 stock car racing film, blended with the beach party film genre. A vehicle for stars Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, and Fabian, it was one of a string of similar racing films from the 1960s. Written by William Ashe ...

'' (1966) as Big Jaw Harris * '' Big Daddy'' (1969) * ''

The Over-the-Hill Gang ''The Over-the-Hill Gang'' is a 1969 American made-for-television Western comedy film about a group of aging Texas Rangers, starring Walter Brennan and Pat O'Brien. Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, and Jack Elam play supporting rol ...

'' (1969) as George Asque, retired Texas Ranger * ''

The Liberation of L.B. Jones ''The Liberation of L.B. Jones'' is a 1970 American neo noir film directed by William Wyler, his final project in a career that spanned 45 years. The screenplay by Jesse Hill Ford and Stirling Silliphant is based on Ford's 1965 novel ''The Lib ...

'' (1970) as Mr. Ike * ''

The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again ''The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again'' starring Walter Brennan and Fred Astaire is a 1970 ''ABC Movie of the Week'' sequel to the Western comedy ''The Over-the-Hill Gang''. The supporting cast includes Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, Chill Will ...

'' (1970) as George Asque * ''

Night Gallery ''Night Gallery'' is an American anthology television series that aired on NBC from December 16, 1970, to May 27, 1973, featuring stories of horror and the macabre. Rod Serling, who had gained fame from an earlier series, ''The Twilight Zone ...

'' (1970) as Heppelwhite (segment "The Little Black Bag") * ''

The Steagle ''The Steagle'' is a 1971 American comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Irvin Faust. The film was directed by Paul Sylbert and starred Richard Benjamin. The film concerns the personality change which overcomes the protagonist during ...

'' (1971) as Tall-Guy McCoy * ''

Guns of a Stranger ''Guns of a Stranger'' is a 1973 American Western film directed by Robert Hinkle and written by Charles W. Aldridge. The film stars Marty Robbins, Chill Wills, Dovie Beams, Steven Tackett, Bill Coontz and Shug Fisher. The film was released on ...

'' (1973) as Tom Duncan * ''

Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid ''Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid'' is a 1973 American Revisionist Western film directed by Sam Peckinpah, written by Rudy Wurlitzer, and starring James Coburn, Kris Kristofferson, Richard Jaeckel, Katy Jurado, Chill Wills, Barry Sullivan, Jas ...

'' (1973) as Lemuel * ''

Mr. Billion ''Mr. Billion'' is a 1977 action comedy/action-adventure film directed by Jonathan Kaplan. It is notable as the Hollywood debut of Terence Hill. It's also the last film of actor William Redfield, who died before its release. Plot After billion ...

'' (1977) as Col. Clayton T. Winkle * '' Poco... Little Dog Lost'' (1977) as Big Burt

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* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wills, Chill 1902 births 1978 deaths People from Dallas County, Texas Male actors from Texas American poker players Deaths from cancer in California American male film actors People from Greater Los Angeles Texas Republicans 20th-century American male actors Burials at Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery Male Western (genre) film actors New Right (United States)