William Wright (January 5, 1911 – January 19, 1949) was an American actor. He was a

leading man A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...

in films who was most popular in the 1940s when he was typically compared to

Clark Gable William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901November 16, 1960) was an American film actor, often referred to as "The King of Hollywood". He had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in multiple genres during a career that lasted 37 years, three decades ...

, whose career was temporarily derailed by

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. Wright even played Gable's part in a 1945

musical comedy Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movemen ...

remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...

of ''

It Happened One Night ''It Happened One Night'' is a 1934 pre-Code American romantic comedy film with elements of screwball comedy directed and co-produced by Frank Capra, in collaboration with Harry Cohn, in which a pampered socialite (Claudette Colbert) tries ...

'' entitled ''

Eve Knew Her Apples ''Eve Knew Her Apples'' is a 1945 musical comedy remake of the 1934 film ''It Happened One Night'' directed by Will Jason and starring Ann Miller. The movie was produced by Columbia Pictures, owner of the rights to the original 1934 version, and ...

''. He also played

Philo Vance Philo Vance is a fictional amateur detective originally featured in 12 crime novels by S. S. Van Dine in the 1920s and 1930s. During that time, Vance was immensely popular in books, films, and radio. He was portrayed as a stylish—even foppish— ...

in ''

Philo Vance Returns ''Philo Vance Returns'' is a 1947 American mystery film directed by William Beaudine and starring William Wright, Vivian Austin and Leon Belasco.Marshall p.333 It is one of a series of films featuring private detective Philo Vance. Plot Vance in ...

'' (1947) and the title role in ''

King of the Gamblers ''King of the Gamblers'' is a 1948 American crime film directed by George Blair and starring Janet Martin, William Wright and Thurston Hall.Martin p.470 The film's sets were designed by the art director Frank Hotaling. Cast * Janet Martin a ...

'' (1948). Wright's other films include ''

Eadie Was a Lady ''Eadie Was a Lady'' is a 1945 American musical comedy. Plot Eadie Allen is a student at Glen Moor College and the niece of a wealthy Boston socialite (Aunt Priscilla) in Back Bay. She has secretly taken a new job as a dancer in a seedy burlesq ...

'' (1945), '' Rose of the Yukon'' (1949), '' Daughter of the Jungle'' (1949), and ''

Impact Impact may refer to: * Impact (mechanics), a high force or shock (mechanics) over a short time period * Impact, Texas, a town in Taylor County, Texas, US Science and technology * Impact crater, a meteor crater caused by an impact event * Impact ...

'' (1949). Wright died from cancer in 1949 at the age of 38.

Filmography

External links

* American male film actors 1911 births 1949 deaths 20th-century American male actors Deaths from cancer in Mexico {{US-film-actor-1910s-stub