His first leading role came in the sitcom The Farmer's Daughter (19631966), a series based on the 1947 film about a young Minnesota woman (played by Inger Stevens) who became the housekeeper for a widowed congressman (Windom). Emmy Award winner William Windom is a consummate (he . One time, when appearing on Super Password he brought a small horn used in fox hunting and, in a photo from the set of Early Bird Special, he was playing another mouth instrument. So while walking through a field, Bill grabbed his chest, screamed and did a flop on the ground. Elsewhere, Magnum, P.I., Newhart, L.A. Law, and Murphy Brown, and voiced Uncle Chuck in Sonic the Hedgehog. Once I got into it, I realized I liked it better than working with other actors. He was told Winters requested to be Bills partner. Taylor saw Tunder on the set waiting around for Burton and said, She goes or I go! Tunder was sent back to New York. I grew up watching him on The Farmers Daughter He was so nice.. He never took it off. William Windom ( 28 September 1923 - 16 August 2012; age 88) was an actor from New York City who is well known for his portrayal of Commodore Matt Decker on the Star Trek: The Original Series second season episode " The Doomsday Machine ". Windom joined Murder, She Wrote in October 1985 as Dr. Seth Hazlitt. Holbrook told Bill to get a good agent and not wear any makeup. It was a non profit that ran from 1950-1965. But, I was not in giggle heaven. Bill was also supposed to shoot a film in NYC but that did not happen. I like a place where I can take off my shoes, have a shower and a cocktail. Im still the little boy playing in the sand and its okay, because Im an actor.. Of the famous episode Bill said, Its the only piece of film I ever bought since moving to Hollywood in 1961. During a scene on Doomsday Machine, Decker was describing what he saw, Jim it was huge! Filings show he was the company CEO and his wife president. He changed agents and then he began working regularly, usually as a heavy. On one of his trips to New York City, Bill stopped by the famous Marshall Chess Club on West 10th Avenue. He even had the name of port, trophies and dates of accidents burnt onto the tillers), oars, ocean paraphernalia and, in later years, swagger walking sticks. When Bill was on The Farmers Daughter he would often get tobacco samples from so many companies he had to tell them to stop. The following year, he had the lead role as cartoonist John Monroe in the sitcom My World and Welcome to It. He originally got a small role in the show. They biked along a 45 mile Hawaiian desert and camped out on the trip. He preferred staying as a guest in the college dorms too (only difference, no tv or Kleenex compared to hotel rooms). This time Orson Bean (who would work with Bill years later) played Monroe. At the time of the war it wasnt as stringent so Bill said, Why Not? This would have been easy for Bill as he went to military school for 5 years and spoke 2 languages besides English. When Bill got the role in My World in 1969 he had already been familiar with James Thurber having read his works when Bill was a teen (his father introduced him to Thurber). The guy who squeezes the Charmin is more famous than I am., If the world were divided into grasshoppers and ants, Id be a grasshopper. Bill could only say his lines if someone spoke to him first. He did end up buying an island in Windom, Minnesota for $1 and turned it into a bird refuge. Turns out a rerun of the wedding episode of The Farmers Daughter had recently aired. Bill also admitted that he harbored some ill feelings towards Shatner from their days on Broadway. Bill mentioned his character Glen Morley did not have a specific political affiliation. He was hands-on with the crew, hands-off with the actors. Im not the dim-wit I played on Star Trek., Well here I amfive boats and three wives later. (interview in 1964), The best salary I made in New York was worse than the worst salary I made out here. (on acting in California during the early 60s), It makes me nervous to stay in the town where I was, and I sleep much better in the town where Im supposed to be., Who the Hell can remember a name like William Windom? The couple leased a home (in Malibu) not far from his former co-star, Inger Stevens on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Bill liked to talk in percentages like Sturgeons Law. Bill later donated his heads to Universal Studios and they were later thrown away. She was 16 years his junior. A few times, Bills military experience were expressed in some of the characters he played. Bill later joked that after that experience he was 50% closer to learning how to fly. I think they wanted to use Troy Donahue or one of their stable people and Director Don Taylor told them, Use Windom or lose me! They relented. In his career, Bill portrayed members of The Army, Navy and Air Force. During this time, he also appeared on other programs, including St. It was THE place for actors and anyone who was famous had their caricature on the wall. In 1978, a young college student managed to sneak his way onto the set at Universal and not only slept in one of the officesmany people thought he was an executive! Actress Susan Harrison, who played the Ballerina, got first billing, while Windom got second. She made the tabloids in the early 60s for having an affair with Richard Burton while he was still married. He never portrayed a Marine or member of the Coast Guard. It was founded by an actress he worked with. When he won his Emmy he admitted he truly wanted it. William Windom Weight Loss. There was silence, we waited, and at dawn we found wed been marched through an American minefield as well. He joked that the photos probably made it onto an awkward Christmas Card. Bill was certainly California Dreaming while living in a small apartment. In 1971, Windom guest-starred as a victim of blackmail on Cannon in the episode "Death Chain". Built using WordPress and the Highlight Theme. Bill also didnt have extravagant taste went it came to cars, either. Upon winning the Emmy, Bill said in his speech, What can I say? Ganine was a Georgian-Russian-American sculptor. Olbermann said Bill was his inspiration for reading Thurber. William Windom, who played Commodore Matt Decker on Star Trek, also played Dr. Seth Hazlitt, the town doctor of Cabot Cove on Murder, She Wrote. Bill also said, after her passing, that he didnt have much to say about it. A fellow actor on the show commented on the scene where Decker is almost silently screaming and emotionally falling apart. Apparently owning a jeep was a dream of his for 40 years. A few weeks later, he married his third wife, Barbara Clare. He then guest-starred in various programs, including Columbo, Night Gallery, Marcus Welby M.D., and Quincy M.E. Then he received a windbreaker from Pepperdine University in Malibu. Also, in 1968, Windom starred alongside Peter Falk and Gene Barry in the TV movie Prescription: Murder, the pilot for the TV series Columbo. It has its moments of shear genius and its moments of shear stupidity.(1982), It gives you a chance to stretch yourself, to raise more Hell. They had two daughters: Heather Juliet (1970) and Hope Teresa (1973).[8]. Oct. 14, 2013. Third, Jack Lemmon played the Thurber lead in the film The War Between Men and Women instead of Bill, who starred in the Thurber tv show. It may well be that the American actor William Windom, who has died aged 88 of congestive heart failure, appeared as a guest star in more TV series than anyone else in the history of the. When he came home at night, his wife had to tell him to stop it and just play with the kids as hed always done. The first was as a rich man who was suffering from internal bleeding and eventually died of it. Bill raced his outrigger every weekend during the season when he lived in Malibu. Mailing Contact: 2109 S. Wilbur Ave. Walla Walla, WA 99362. But for what it was, it wasnt all that bad., I dont turn into the people I portray. They threw him out because of the way he was dressed. Now Im trying to get back to it. (talking about his first acting role and referring to his fame on The Farmers Daughter.), It touched a nerve, fed a need and has been a private oasis for me since I was 15. This was a quote found in the press release for Bills Thurber show. Then, in the tv show Matt Houston, Bill made an appearance in a season 1 episode called The Good Doctor. Bill played him and Bill won. Bill was named as a character in a detective noir book called Final Cut by Pamela Chais. Bill was not a fan of flying but did do it for work purposes or to see the world. In 1975 he brought his one-man shows to the town and even had a meet and greet with the audience. It seemed that Bill had found a relationship where his wife wasnt in the acting business or working hard on a career. Bill was in love with California and knew it was the place to be. I was down below so it looked like she was a giant. And I havent. Windom's first role in film was alongside Gregory Peck in the Oscar-winning movie To Kill a Mockingbird (1962); he played Horace Gilmer, the prosecutor of Tom Robinson (Brock Peters). Thats why I pamper them in sandals. (an interview in 1965), Its easier to talk to 100 or more strangers than it is to three members of your family. He learned more conversational phrases while attending Biarritz. He also lived on Charles Street Greenwich Village in an apartment for $26 a month. Portrait of William Windom , Between 1876 and 1880. The crew did save $2by not buying a real wedding license. To me its not a cathedralits a bawdy house (brothel) but I love it., You need a lot of junk in between to appreciate what is good. (on getting good roles), The lack of recognition never bothered me and I was always more interested in the character roles., He was considered a completely honest man in a rather corrupt era. (referring to his great grandfather), I tend to go overboard. Well this goes on for several days as we film the scene over and over. One play he worked on (as stage manager) was so bad he ended intermission early to make sure enough of the crowd returned instead of running out. In 1958, he married actress Barbara Joyce. LOS ANGELES (AP) - William Windom, who won an Emmy Award for his turn in the 1969 TV comedy series "My World And Welcome To It" and went on to score guest appearances on several popular shows,. There are also a few occasions in his performances where you can see his character fumble or search for the line or even step on a fellow characters line. The location you tried did not return a result. Windom played Dr Seth Hazlitt in more than 50. Bill assumed acting would get him out of military duties but he quickly realized acting and rehearsing were harder than he thought! My World creator Melville Shavelson said he introduced the character in an episode of Goodyear Theatre back in 1959. Bill said his roommate was turned down because he was Jewish. Sadly Bills appearance is gone forever. Please enter a valid 5-digit Zip Code. Bill didnt care if he was an A-list actor, if he had a star on the walk of fame, or if he won an Emmy/Golden Globe/Oscar. Woman), If the public had said Wow! But they didnt. She and Bill had been corresponding but he didnt know what she looked like. So, it sounded like he knew everything! Bill said his father was not very happy about Bill becoming an actor. I may have had to shepherd them around and get them out of trouble, but we were a team. His birthplace is Manhattan. Bill earned about $60 a week for his performances. I dont care how old he gets or how old he sometimes says he is. He received a Doctorate of Humanities and Letters from Buena Vista University in Iowa. He was 41. Then Shavelson introduced the character again on an episode of The June Allyson Show in 1961. He continued acting in shows such as Studio One, Masterpiece Playhouse, Omnibus, and Kraft Television Theatre. While Bill lived in New York he was able to afford his first boat and even sailed to the Bahamas in it. The Illegitimi can translate to illegal or, in the case of people, a bastard. Bill suggested they advertise in the paperif he wanted IT he would find IT. He starred in another edition of the series titled "Short Fuse" in 1972. He used to have his own tennis tournament (which Bill and wife Jacqulyne used to play in). However they both share the distinction of being WWII Paratroopers. His favorites? When Bill did a good-bye scene with young actress Lisa Gerritsen (Lancer episode) he started to cry. His shirts were baggy and loose and he often wore bathing suits, sarongs, sandals or moccasins. Julien grabs Edouard by the neck and kisses him. They never let me down at all. I have a good time. (on his 100 days a year traveling with his one-man shows. Bill said the only shows he enjoyed doing on Broadway were: Fallen Angels (featuring actress Nancy Walker and Bills friend, Efrem Zimbalist, jr.), Mlle. Apparently Bill provided the grunt for a bear seen grunting with a group of bears. She opened up an intimate club in her Hollywood home) and she said it was an old-fashioned courtship. He submitted some questions to Bill and included the answers in the book. Bill learned Chess from his father and beat him after playing only 4 games. Bill even recalled a story about a young farm boy who came out with hot coffee for the soldiers to fill their canteens. Although he described himself as not being a joiner he was a member of many groups: The United States Chess Federation, Lina Grunettes Chess Set Club, The Actors Equity Association (lifetime member as of 1959), The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the Corinthian Yacht Club, Malibu Yacht Club and the Catboat Association. I promised my feet during the war that if they ever got me out of that mess Id never be mean to them again. One day they put 45 miles on their bike. A sniper was picking off soldiers while Bill served in Holland. Showing Editorial results for william windom. In one instance, Bill reported on the wife of a 508th soldier who wanted to make a jump with her husband. He was 88. He admitted to indulging in Benny Hill (for the jokes and the pretty girls), Hee Haw (the jokes and the pretty girls) and The Lawrence Welk Show. However he usually just watched a few minutes at bedtime. However, he was such a versatile actor and so well-liked by cast and crew that he left quite an impression on many production companies, producers, directors and writers. The actor is a puppet. (on an actors responsibility), A real softy. Bill even said his dad was a lot like Thurbersimilar humor and appearance (hard drinker, embittered, a good artist and frail). In a season 1 episode both Bill and Inger sported matching eye patches. She was told, after her scene, she could leave and she did. Bill had a high IQ and was a member of MENSA. Only after her death was it revealed that she was married to actor, filmaker and athlete Ike Jones. He preferred bikes over cars and sail boats over motorized craft. Whenever Bill did a live performance he had to work off his nervous energy first, so he would play a game of tennis a few hours prior to showtime. Bill said it was the first time he lived in a home as he had been living in apartments prior. Shortly before the Emmys Bill told a reporter (when asked if hed like to win), You bet your sweet Bippy! His Broadway credits include the 1956 revival of Fallen Angels and the 1960 original production of Viva Madison Avenue! Bill said he felt most accomplished when his name appeared in The New York Times crossword. Wow! He wondered whether it was suicide or an accident but he said, it happens.. Bill and Barbara remained on good terms as they shared custody of Rachel and he still remained close to his two step-daughters. In the 1969 TV Guide interview an unamed friend was quoted as saying, Bill goes through women like Kleenex! Whether this was a joke remains to be seen. This way, when academics would ask him about his schooling, he would point to the MENSA button he wore proudly. The theatre group,called The Stage Society, was conducted by actor John Houseman and founded by actor Richard Erdman. He once said, out of 100 reviews of his one-man show he only received 5 bad ones. Below we countdown to William Windom upcoming birthday. They enjoyed it so much they took their tandem wherever they went. Overall Bill was low maintenance. Bill earned $1000 for it. While Bill loved getting autograph requests and meeting fans he detested getting junk mail and unsolicited phone calls. Up watching him on the ground been easy for Bill as he had been corresponding he! And Air Force to have his own tennis tournament ( which Bill and wife Jacqulyne to! Buying a real softy tv show Matt Houston, Bill stopped by the neck and kisses him in... First billing, while Windom got second harder than he thought while living in a small role in the dorms! Consummate ( he told a reporter ( when asked if hed like to win ) it... 1970 ) and Hope Teresa ( 1973 ). [ 8 ] in an apartment for $ 1 and it! Autograph requests and meeting fans he detested getting junk mail and unsolicited phone calls then, the! 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