Robert Williams (September 15, 1894 – November 3, 1931) was an American stage and film actor. He is best known for his first, and only, leading role in the 1931

romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...

'' Platinum Blonde'', opposite

Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Young; January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an American actress. Starting as a child, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the fil ...

and

Jean Harlow Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the ...

. Williams died of

peritonitis Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part or ...

three days after the film's premiere.

Career

Born in

Morganton, North Carolina Morganton is a city in and the county seat of Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 16,918 at the 2010 census. Morganton is approximately northwest of Charlotte. Morganton is one of the principal cities in the Hick ...

in 1894 (some sources state 1897 or 1899), Williams ran away from home at the age 11 to join a tent show. He later worked on

showboat A showboat, or show boat, was a floating theater that traveled along the waterways of the United States, especially along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, to bring culture and entertainment to the inhabitants of river frontiers. Showboats were a ...

s in

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

before making his way to New York. After appearing in several stage productions, Williams landed a role in ''Eyes of Youth'', starring

Marjorie Rambeau Marjorie Burnet Rambeau (July 15, 1889 – July 6, 1970) was an American film and stage actress. She began her stage career at age 12, and appeared in several silent films before debuting in her first sound film, '' Her Man'' (1930). She was t ...

. The role boosted his career and gained him notice. He put his career on hold to join the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

where he served in 166th Infantry Regiment during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. After the war, Williams returned to the United States and resumed his acting career. In 1922, he made his

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

stage debut in the popular stage comedy ''

Abie's Irish Rose ''Abie's Irish Rose'' is a popular comedy by Anne Nichols, which premiered in 1922. Initially a Broadway play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premise involves an Irish Catholic girl ...

''. He also appeared in productions of ''That French Lady'', ''Scarlet Pages'', and ''Love, Honor and Betray''. After appearing as "Johnnie Coles" in the play ''Rebound'' in 1930, Williams was chosen by director

Edward H. Griffith Edward H. Griffith (August 23, 1888 – March 3, 1975)F ...

to reprise the role in the 1931 film version. He received favorable reviews for his work in the film and followed with a supporting role in ''

Devotion Devotion or Devotions may refer to: Religion * Faith, confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept * Anglican devotions, private prayers and practices used by Anglican Christians * Buddhist devotion, commitment to religious observance * Cat ...

'', which was also released in 1931. Later that same year, Williams was cast in his first and only leading role in the romantic comedy film '' Platinum Blonde'', starring

and

. It was his final onscreen appearance.

Personal life

Williams was married three times; his first marriage was to singer

Marion Harris Marion Harris (born Mary Ellen Harrison; April 4, 1896 – April 23, 1944) was an American popular singer who was most successful in the late 1910s and the 1920s. She was the first widely known white singer to sing jazz and blues songs.Ward, Elija ...

in 1921 with whom he had a daughter, Mary Ellen. Williams and Harris divorced in 1922. In March 1924, he married actress

Alice Lake Alice Lake (September 12, 1895 – November 15, 1967) was an American film actress. She began her career during the silent film era and often appeared in comedy shorts opposite Roscoe Arbuckle. Career Born in Brooklyn, New York, Lake began her ...

. They separated three times before divorcing in 1925. At the time of his death, Williams was married to actress Nina Penn.

Death

On November 3, 1931, three days after the premiere of ''Platinum Blonde'', Williams died of

at Hollywood Hospital after undergoing two operations for

acute appendicitis Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Symptoms commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. Severe complications of a rupt ...

the previous week. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from ...

Broadway credits

Filmography

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Robert 1894 births 1931 deaths 20th-century American male actors Male actors from North Carolina American male film actors United States Army personnel of World War I American male silent film actors American male stage actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Deaths from peritonitis United States Army soldiers People from Morganton, North Carolina