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 sub-genre of comedy and Romance novel, romance fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount all obstacles. Ro ...

'' Platinum Blonde'', opposite

Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Michaela 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 1989. She received numerous honors including an Academy Awards ...

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 covering of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One pa ...

three days after the film's premiere.

Career

Born in

Morganton, North Carolina Morganton is a city in and county seat of Burke County, North Carolina, United States. It is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Catawba River. The population was 17,474 at the 2020 census. Morganton is approximately ...

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

Mississippi Mississippi ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Alabama to the east, the Gulf of Mexico to the south, Louisiana to the s ...

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 primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...

where he served in the 166th Infantry Regiment during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. After the war, Williams returned to the United States and resumed his acting career. In 1922, he made his Broadway 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 theatre, Broadway Play (theatre), play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premi ...

''. 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) (also known as E H Griffith, Lieut. Edward H. Griffith, Edward Griffith, and E. H. Griffith) was an American film director, motion picture director, screenwriter, and producer. Biography ...

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'', 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; March 25, 1897 – 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, Elij ...

in 1921 with whom he had a daughter, Mary Ellen. Williams and Harris divorced in 1922. In March 1924, he married actress Alice Lake. 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, fever and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. Severe complications o ...

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

Glendale, California Glendale is a city located primarily in the Verdugo Mountains region, with a small portion in the San Fernando Valley, of Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is located about north of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, Glendale ha ...

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