William J. Butler

William J. Butler

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1859-12-30
Deathday: 1927-01-27 (67 years old)

Biography

William J. Butler (1860 – 27 January 1927) was an Irish silent film actor. He appeared in more than 260 films between 1908 and 1917.

An Irish immigrant to the United States, moved his family from Ohio to Hollywood, California in 1908.

On Broadway, Butler performed in The Serio-Comic Governess (1904), The Great Divide (1906), and Pippa Passes (1906).At the age of 48, he wanted to get involved in a new industry called motion pictures. He appeared in more than 200 silent films. He made frequent appearances in films made by famed silent film producer/director D. W. Griffith, who made more than 500 films beginning in 1908. In addition to acting, Butler was a crew member and screenwriter of early films.

William's son, Larry Butler, born in Akron, Ohio, just before the family's move to Hollywood. Larry grew up in the film business, dropped out of Burbank High School to work with his father on special effects projects. In 1940, Larry won his first of two Oscars. He was nominated five times for Oscars. His first Oscar was for special effects work done on The Thief of Baghdad. Larry is credited with inventing the blue screen and the traveling matte, both processes were necessary for all special effects and are used today.

Butler's grandsons, Michael C. Butler and David Butler, became highly respected cinematographers. William's grandson, Christopher Butler, is also a cinematographer. The Butler family which began with William Butler in 1908 have made movies for 100 years, and the generations span the silent era, the studio era, the independent director era and the current era.

Butler was married to actress Emma Lathrop, and they had a daughter, actress Kathleen Butler, as well as their son. He died on 27 January 1927 in the Staten Island Hospital, aged 67.

Filmography

all 146

Movies 146

Writer 1

The Chief of the Secret Service
More Than Friends

More Than Friends (1915)

Movie
Undetermined Secondary Role
Lord Chumley

Lord Chumley (1914)

Movie
Major Homer Putnam - Mrs. Ives' Sweetheart
The Wife

The Wife (1914)

Movie
Priscilla's Father (Prologue)
Brute Force

Brute Force (1914)

Movie
Manager of the Opposing Team
Strongheart

Strongheart (1914)

Movie
The Outcast Son's Father
The Law and His Son

The Law and His Son (1913)

Movie
Sam Miller - the Grandfather
The Enemy's Baby

The Enemy's Baby (1913)

Movie
The Oil Syndicate Officer
A Timely Interception

A Timely Interception (1913)

Movie
The First Older Brother
Gold and Glitter

Gold and Glitter (1912)

Movie
2nd Tourist Couple
The Tourists

The Tourists (1912)

Movie
The Money Lender
The Furs

The Furs (1912)

Movie
Hank's Sweetheart's Father
Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff (1912)

Movie
One of the Husband's Chums
Why He Gave Up

Why He Gave Up (1911)

Movie
A Union Officer
The Battle

The Battle (1911)

Movie
License Bureau Worker
The Baron

The Baron (1911)

Movie
The Uncle's Friend
The Diving Girl

The Diving Girl (1911)

Movie
The Father of the Girl Next Door
Bobby the Coward

Bobby the Coward (1911)

Movie
Charles A. Franklin
Comrades

Comrades (1911)

Movie
One of the Father's Friends
The Lily of the Tenements

The Lily of the Tenements (1911)

Movie
The Good Samaritan
White Roses

White Roses (1910)

Movie
Edith's Employer
A Plain Song

A Plain Song (1910)

Movie
The Piano Store Owner
Sunshine Sue

Sunshine Sue (1910)

Movie
The Chief of Police's Aide
Waiter No. 5

Waiter No. 5 (1910)

Movie

Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Male

Birthday
1859-12-30

Deathday
1927-01-27 (67 years old)

Birth Place
Ireland

Children
Lawrence W. Butler

Citizenships
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United States of America

Also Known As
William Butler, W.J. Butler, W. J. Butler

This article uses material from Wikipedia.

Last updated:

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75 Movies
Billy Bitzer
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Billy Bitzer worked together with William J. Butler in:
70 Movies
Kate Bruce
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Kate Bruce worked together with William J. Butler in:
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Edward Dillon
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Edward Dillon worked together with William J. Butler in:
41 Movies
Dell Henderson
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Dell Henderson worked together with William J. Butler in:
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Charles West
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Charles West worked together with William J. Butler in:
27 Movies
Grace Henderson
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Grace Henderson worked together with William J. Butler in:
25 Movies
Claire McDowell
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Claire McDowell worked together with William J. Butler in:
24 Movies
Henry B. Walthall
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Henry B. Walthall worked together with William J. Butler in:
23 Movies
Mabel Normand
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Mabel Normand worked together with William J. Butler in:
23 Movies
Percy Higginson
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Percy Higginson worked together with William J. Butler in:
23 Movies
Mary Pickford
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Mary Pickford worked together with William J. Butler in:
22 Movies
Alfred Paget
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Alfred Paget worked together with William J. Butler in:
22 Movies
Verner Clarges
William J. Butler,
Verner Clarges worked together with William J. Butler in:
21 Movies
Stanner E.V. Taylor
William J. Butler,
Stanner E.V. Taylor worked together with William J. Butler in:
21 Movies
Kate Toncray
William J. Butler,
Kate Toncray worked together with William J. Butler in:
20 Movies
George Nichols
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George Nichols worked together with William J. Butler in:
18 Movies
W. Chrystie Miller
William J. Butler,
W. Chrystie Miller worked together with William J. Butler in:
18 Movies
Anthony O'Sullivan
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Anthony O'Sullivan worked together with William J. Butler in:
18 Movies
  • William J. Butler
    William J. Butler
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