William A. Wellman
Biography
William Augustus Wellman was an American film director, producer, and consultant who also began his career as an actor. He worked on over 80 films, frequently focusing on crime, adventure, action, and aviation themes, alongside satirical comedies. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on February 29, 1896, Wellman was credited with 96 known credits on the platform. He directed the 1927 film Wings, which achieved the distinction of becoming the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture at the inaugural Academy Awards ceremony. His notable filmography also includes the titles Křídla, Jízda do Ox-Bow, and Westward the Women. William A. Wellman passed away on December 9, 1975, at the age of 79.
Career overview
William Augustus Wellman was an American film director, producer, and consultant, who also began his film career as an actor. Across his career, he worked on over 80 films, with known credits totaling 96. He was particularly notable for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on aviation themes, which were a particular passion of his. In addition to these genres, he also directed several well regarded satirical comedies. Among his notable directorial works is the 1927 film Wings, which achieved the distinction of becoming the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture at the first Academy Awards ceremony. His notable filmography also includes the titles Kridla, Jizda do Ox-Bow, and Westward the Women.
Born on February 29, 1896, in Brookline, Massachusetts, United States, Wellman maintained an active professional life in the film industry until his death. He passed away on December 9, 1975, at the age of 79.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
113 titles- A Star Is Born (2018) Original Story
- You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story (2008) as Self (archive footage)
- Filmmakers in Action (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick (1995) as Self (archive footage)
- A Star Is Born (1976) Story
- Gable: The King Remembered (1975) as Himself
- The Men Who Made the Movies (1973)
- Darby's Rangers (1958) Director
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958) Story
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958) Producer
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958) Director
- Good-bye, My Lady (1956) Director
- Blood Alley (1955) Director
- The High and the Mighty (1954) Director
- A Star Is Born (1954) Story
- Track of the Cat (1954) Director
- Island in the Sky (1953) as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Island in the Sky (1953) Director
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- My Man and I (1952) Director
- Westward the Women (1951) Director
- Across the Wide Missouri (1951) Director
- It's a Big Country (1951) Director
- The Next Voice You Hear... (1950) Director
- The Happy Years (1950) Director
- Battleground (1949) Director
- Yellow Sky (1948) Director
- The Iron Curtain (1948) Director
- Magic Town (1947) Director
- Magic Town (1947) Producer
- Gallant Journey (1946) Director
- Gallant Journey (1946) Producer
- Gallant Journey (1946) Writer
- Story of G.I. Joe (1945) Director
- This Man's Navy (1945) Director
- Buffalo Bill (1944) Director
- The Ox-Bow Incident (1943) Director
- Lady of Burlesque (1943) Director
- Thunder Birds (1942) Director
- Roxie Hart (1942) Director
- The Great Man's Lady (1941) Director
- The Great Man's Lady (1941) Producer
- Reaching for the Sun (1941) Director
- Beau Geste (1939) Director
- Beau Geste (1939) Producer
- The Light That Failed (1939) Director
- The Light That Failed (1939) Producer
- Men with Wings (1938) Director
- Men with Wings (1938) Producer
- A Star Is Born (1937) Story
- A Star Is Born (1937) Director
- The Last Gangster (1937) Story
- Nothing Sacred (1937) Director
- Tarzan Escapes (1936) Co-Director
- Small Town Girl (1936) Director
- Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936) Director
- Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936) Screenplay
- Call of the Wild (1935) Director
- China Seas (1935) Second Unit Director
- Stingaree (1934) Director
- The President Vanishes (1934) Director
- Looking for Trouble (1934) Director
- Central Airport (1933) Director
- Heroes for Sale (1933) Director
- Wild Boys of the Road (1933) Director
- Frisco Jenny (1933) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Frisco Jenny (1933) Director
- Midnight Mary (1933) Director
- Lilly Turner (1933) Director
- College Coach (1933) Director
- Female (1933) Assistant Director
- The Purchase Price (1932) Director
- Love is a Racket (1932) Director
- So Big! (1932) Director
- The Hatchet Man (1932) Director
- The Conquerors (1932) Director
- The Public Enemy (1931) Director
- Safe in Hell (1931) Director
- Other Men's Women (1931) Director
- Night Nurse (1931) Director
- The Star Witness (1931) as Company Workman (uncredited)
- The Star Witness (1931) Director
- Screen Snapshots (Series 10, No. 8) (1931) as Self
- Maybe It's Love (1930) Director
- Dangerous Paradise (1930) Director
- Young Eagles (1930) Director
- The Man I Love (1929) Director
- Chinatown Nights (1929) Director
- Woman Trap (1929) Director
- Beggars of Life (1928) Director
- Ladies of the Mob (1928) Director
- Ladies of the Mob (1928) Producer
- The Legion of the Condemned (1928) Director
- The Legion of the Condemned (1928) Producer
- Wings (1927) as Doughboy (uncredited)
- Wings (1927) Director
- The Boob (1926) Director
- You Never Know Women (1926) Director
- The Cat's Pajamas (1926) Director
- When Husbands Flirt (1925) Director
- 1925 Studio Tour (1925) as Self
- The Circus Cowboy (1924) Director
- The Vagabond Trail (1924) Director
- Not a Drum Was Heard (1924) Director
- Cupid's Fireman (1923) Director
- Big Dan (1923) Director
- Second Hand Love (1923) Director
- The Man Who Won (1923) Director
- Edgar's Hamlet (1920) Assistant Director
- Edgar and the Teacher's Pet (1920) Assistant Director
- The Knickerbocker Buckaroo (1919) as Henry
- Evangeline (1919) as British lieutenant
- The Unwritten Code (1918) Assistant Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is William A. Wellman best known for?
William A. Wellman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Star Is Born (2018), Filmmakers in Action (2006), A Star Is Born (1976), Solomon and Sheba (1959).
When and where was William A. Wellman born?
William A. Wellman was born on February 29, 1896 in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. They passed away on December 9, 1975.
How many credits does William A. Wellman have?
William A. Wellman has accumulated over 113 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 2018.
What is William A. Wellman's background in cinema and television?
William Augustus Wellman was an American film director, producer, and consultant who also began his career as an actor. He worked on over 80 films, frequently focusing on crime, adventure, action, and aviation themes, alongside satirical comedies. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on February 29, 1896, Wellman was cred...