Personal Info
Birth date
1884-04-12 (141 Years)
Day of death
1929-02-18
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Also known as
William E. Russell
William Lerche
William Russell
Biography
From Wikipedia William Russell (April 12, 1884 – February 18, 1929), born William Francis Lerche, was an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He appeared in over two hundred silent era motion pictures between 1910 and 1929, directing five of them in 1916 and producing two through his own production company in 1918 and 1925. Russell began his screen career in New York with the Biograph Company, where he worked for nine months before signing with the Thanhouser Company. He was also part of the company of players for the American Film Manufacturing Company and their Flying "A" Studios in Santa Barbara. In 1917, he and actress Charlotte Burton were married. They divorced in 1921. He and actress Helen Ferguson were married on June 21, 1925, at the Wilshire Boulevard Congregational Church, after a six-year romance. William Russell died at age 44 from pneumonia at Hollywood Hospital in Los Angeles.
Filmography
The Power of the Press
NYR
Overview:
An innocent man, serving a sentence of five years in prison through the perjured testimony of the real criminal, Steve Carson, foreman of a shipyard, strikes up a warm friendship with his cellmate, Harold Norwood, a defaulting paying teller. No less strange than their friendship is the befriending of Steve's wife, Annie, by Julia Seymour, prima donna, who is Norwood's wife. As a reward of good behavior, the men are released on Christmas morning. Annie is bewildered by the receipt of a bank book which shows that large deposits of gold have been made in her name and that of her sister, Mary, by their uncle, George Hosford, who, dying in Alaska, has entrusted the book to Joe Hawes, a fellow prospector.A Self-Made Man
NYR
Overview:
Jack Spurlock, the lazy son of a railroad tycoon, is estranged from his fiancée, Anita Gray, because he refuses to work. When his father disowns him, Jack is forced to take responsibility and save his father from ruin with Anita's help.Anna Christie
5.5
Overview:
A troubled young woman comes to live with her estranged father on the New York waterfront. A tough sailor falls in love with her, sparking conflict between her father and her suitor. What neither knows is that she has a secret that could cause her to lose both of them.The Girl from Chicago
NYR
Overview:
Mary Carlton, who lives with her invalid father on a cotton plantation, receives a letter from Bob, her brother, in New York, stating that he faces death in the electric chair for a crime of which he claims to be innocent. Determined to save him, she goes there, learns of his association with an underworld gang, and begins to suspect Handsome Joe of a connection with the crime.Shackles of Truth
NYR
Overview:
Law partners, Gerard Hale and Luther Snaith, vie for a vacant Senate seat as well as the governor's daughter Marion. When Tom Shores and his sister Mary appear at the firm with the news that her two-year-old is the illegitimate child of Gerard's late father, Gerard Hale, Sr., Snaith sees the opportunity to win both the Senate seat and Marion. Gerard, feeling an obligation, gives Mary a check for $50,000. Luther has Mary and Tom seized by detectives to force an open admission from Gerard of culpability. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hale and Marion have stopped in to visit and Gerard, fearing the truth will prove fatal to his mother's ailing heart, claims that the baby is his. Mrs. Hale is confined to bed and Snaith blackmails Gerard to withdraw from the race. Mrs. Hale asks Gerard to do his duty and wed Mary. Mary wants to be truthful, but Gerard fears that may prove fatal to his mother. However, when Mrs. Hale dies, Gerard is freed from the shackles of truth.Moths
NYR
Overview:
A French woman has to marry a Russian to preserve the reputation of her society mother. However she is in love with someone else.Six Feet Four
5.5
Overview:
A cowboy matches the description of the man who robbed the local hotel--both are 6'4". When a young woman is robbed, suspicion falls on the cowboy again. However, he discovers that the actual culprits are a local gang headed by the sheriff. He sets out to capture the robbers and clear his name.Woman Wise
NYR
Overview:
In Jedda, Persia, American consul George Gage, known as a woman hater, is shocked when his newly arrived assistant, "Billie Baxter," whom he assumes will be a man, turns out to be an attractive woman. Despite his formerly anti-female leanings, George finds himself falling in love with Billie and is jealous when his womanizing friend, Brad Wilson, arrives in Jedda and makes a play for her. At the same time, when the ruling Pasha, Abdul Mustapha, meets Billie, he also becomes smitten and tries to have her brought to his harem. Despite their rivalry, George and Brad join forces and save Billie from the Pasha, after which she decides that George is the man she loves and wants to marry. Considered a lost film.Dora Thorne
NYR
Overview:
Ronald, heir to Lord Earle in Earlescourt, England, secretly loves Dora Thorne, a desirable but working-class woman. When Lord Earle hears of the relationship, he brings Valentine Charteris to the estate to distract his lovesick son. True to his love, however, Ronald refuses Valentine and marries Dora. After emigrating to Italy, Ronald earns a modest living as a painter, and Dora gives birth to twins. When Ronald receives a generous commission to paint a portrait, he asks Dora to pose for him, but overly preoccupied with the children, she refuses. Wounded by the rejection, Ronald calls on Valentine Charteris and quickly becomes infatuated with her, forcing Dora to return to Earlescourt with the twins.All the World to Nothing
NYR
Overview:
Richard Chester, a bachelor who has lost everything in a poker game, blunders into the apartment of Nora Ellis, who has just inherited a fortune under the stipulation that she marry immediately. Assuming the name Chester Dick, Richard marries Nora and leaves. Unaware of this marriage of convenience, Charles Renalls, Nora's suitor, later assumes that her wealth is the only impediment to their union and conspires to ruin her on the market. Upon learning of his scheme, Richard ruins Charles. Nora falls in love with Richard, not recognizing her benefactor as her husband of an evening. Hoping to spoil Richard's chances with Nora, Charles tells her that Richard is already married and that he carries his wife's picture in his pocket. To her surprise and delight, Nora discovers that the incriminating picture is her own photograph and that Richard is already her husband.Hearts or Diamonds?
NYR
Overview:
Wealthy diamond collector Larry Hanrahan is given the opportunity to assist the beautiful, jewel-bedecked woman he admires in a Broadway café when she and her guardian are attacked by robbers. Larry is invited to visit the grateful pair, Col. Paul Gascoyne and his ward Adrienne, at the colonel's laboratory, where he is introduced to Wintermute, a chemist who produces imitation diamonds. In return, Larry asks them to view his priceless diamond collection. Although he has fallen in love with Adrienne, Larry is forced to believe that she is a thief when he is robbed by a woman wearing Adrienne's scarf. Larry finds his jewels in Gascoyne's house, but before he can escape, a group of thugs overpowers him. Adrienne assists him in contacting the police, who arrive in time to capture Gascoyne and his gang. Badly wounded, the colonel confesses that Adrienne has been his innocent dupe, whereupon Larry happily takes her to his heart.While Baby Slept
NYR
Overview:
The young farmer's wife had one trial, her husband's father. He was old and peevish, and so racked and crippled by illness that he could not walk a step. The woman declared that something must be done and on numerous occasions pleaded with her husband to send the old man to the poor house. The farmer long, resisted, but at last he yielded and the woman drove away triumphantly, to make her arrangements at the alms house. The old man knew what was contemplated. Helpless and friendless he sat in his chair, and prayed for death. Who could blame him? The wife, as has been stated, was on her way to the alms house.The Lady from Longacre
NYR
Overview:
To escape a loathsome marriage to the king of a neighboring principality, Princess Isabel flees her kingdom for England, where she is rescued by Lord Anthony Conway. His friends are distressed by his gay escapades, and they rebel when he encourages them to entertain the princess, assuming her to be an actress whom she strongly resembles. Returning to her country with the Englishman, she realizes that she must marry the neighboring king to save her country.The Head of the Family
NYR
Overview:
Silent Comedy of the battle of the sexes for dominance within the home.The Blue Eagle
5.1
Overview:
Waterfront rivals George Darcy and Big Tim Ryan are both in love with Rose Kelly, and continue their feud when they join the Navy. After the war, they call a temporary truce to take on dope peddlers who are destroying their neighborhood.Boston Blackie
6
Overview:
Boston Blackie is a former prison inmate campaigning to outlaw Warden Benton's infamous "Water Cross" torture. Benton, however, is successful in his attempt to have Blackie arrested and returned to the prison, but his evil schemes are ultimately thwarted by Mary Carter, Blackie's girlfriend, who manages to alert the governor. Considered a lost film.Singing River
NYR
Overview:
Outlaw Sam Hemp attempts to induce homesteader Lang Rush, faced with foreclosure due to drought, to rob the bank as restitution. The exchange escalates into a gunfight leaving Sam and his wealthy friend, Drayton, dead. Fleeing to the mountains and the refuge of a deserted shack near Singing River Lang prospects for silver. Another former homesteader, Bert Condon, trails Lang in the hope of collecting a $5,000 reward, but befriends the fugitive and assists in filing Lang's claim when he strikes ore. On his return to town, Lang rescues the sheriff's daughter, Alice Thornton, from Hemp's gang and defeats their leader, L. W. Bransom, in a fistfight. He then clears himself of the murder charge and wins Alice.Star of Bethlehem
5
Overview:
Following a bright wandering star, three magi from the East travel to Bethlehem of Judea to meet a very special newborn baby. Meanwhile, King Herod, driven by a hideous prophecy, orders him to be found and murdered.State Street Sadie
NYR
Overview:
Unassuming clerk Tom Blake is framed for the murder of a policeman in the midst of a violent bank robbery. Considered a lost film.Brass Knuckles
NYR
Overview:
Zac Harrison, upon his release from prison, assumes responsibility for seeing to the needs of June Curry, the 17-year-old daughter of a fellow inmate who has died. He is reformed by her innocence and, in time marries her.The Desired Woman
NYR
Overview:
The beautiful and cultured Lady Diana Whitney marries Captain Maxwell of the British Army. When he is transferred to the Sahara, life at his remote post becomes one trial after another for Diana. Then Larry Trent, a young lieutenant, arrives to provide a pleasant reminder of days past, but Maxwell, in a jealous rage over their innocent companionship, sends Trent to a distant village.Young Lochinvar
NYR
Overview:
The “gallant young Lochinvar” and his stolen bride lead their pursuers on a merry chaseTannhäuser
4
Overview:
Dramatic three-reel film based on Wagner's opera of chivalry and spiritual struggle. Wandering minstrel Tannhauser wins the heart of Elizabeth, niece of the powerful Landgrave. Later, under the spell of Venus and her nymphs, Tannhauser passes into Venusberg, a netherworld of earthly pleasures. Returning to the Landgrave's court, he praises Venus in song and sparks the righteous anger of all present. His own prayers and those of Elizabeth free him from enchantment and he takes up the habit of a monk, devoting himself to God. He sets off to seek absolution in Rome while Elizabeth waits at court, ever weakening in his absence.The Still Alarm
NYR
Overview:
Lucy Fay leaves her husband, Richard, a fireman, for a suave politician, Perry Dunn. Richard compensates for the loss by adopting Drina, a baby girl whose mother perished in a fire. Drina develops into a beautiful young lady and becomes a model at a modiste shop owned by Dunn and managed by Lucy. Dunn is attracted to Drina and plots to get her alone by giving her a drugged drink. An untimely fire interferes with his plans, leaving Drina drugged and trapped by flames in Dunn's room, where she is sleeping.Jess
NYR
Overview:
Silas Croft was a kindly old Englishman who had a farm in South Africa. With him resided his two nieces, whom he had taken from their drunken, worthless father when they were of a tender age. Jess, the elder, was brilliant and educated; Bess, the younger was beautiful, but frankly admitted that she did not possess the mental attainments of Jess. The two were great friends, and Jess, although the senior by only three years, had almost a motherly affection for her pretty little sister. Croft, finding old age stealing upon him, advertised for a partner, stipulating that he must be a gentleman. Probably it was his secret idea that the right man might come along, and fall in love with his favorite, beautiful Bessie.The Midnight Taxi
5
Overview:
The Midnight Taxi is a 1928 early part-talkie thriller picture from Warner Bros. directed by John G. Adolfi and starring Antonio Moreno, Helen Costello, and Myrna Loy. It is unknown whether a sound copy survives, but a silent copy with no talking is in the care of the British Film Institute. The silent print runs just under 50 minutes. According to the Library of Congress, the film survives in British Film Institute's National Film and Television Archive.Pa's Medicine
NYR
Overview:
Willie West, a small boy, is very fond of his pet rabbit. He is unhappy because Hank (the rabbit) seems to be losing his former good health. When Willie tries to obtain assistance from his family, he quickly discovers that he has chosen the wrong time, for his father is feeling bad himself, and has no sympathy to waste on rabbits. A doctor is also hard-hearted. Willie is sent to the drug store to fill a prescription for his father, and he decided to see if the medicine will not cure the rabbit. To hide his wrongdoing from his parents, Willie fills the bottle with water. In the meantime the druggist has discovered that he has made an awful mistake, and put poison in the dose.Acting
1928The Midnight Taxi as Joseph Brant
1928State Street Sadie as The Bat
1928The Head of the Family as The Plumber
1928Woman Wise as Ne'er-Do-Well
1927Brass Knuckles as "Brass Knuckles" Lamont
1927The Girl from Chicago as Big Steve Drummond
1927The Desired Woman as Captain Maxwell
1926The Blue Eagle as Big Tim Ryan
1926The Still Alarm as Richard Fay
1925Big Pal as Dan Williams
1924The Beloved Brute as David Hinges
1923Anna Christie as Matt Burke
1923Boston Blackie as Boston Blackie
1922The Great Night as Larry Gilmore
1922Mixed Faces as Judge J. Woodworth Granger
1922The Crusader as Peter Brent
1922A Self-Made Man as Jack Spurlock
1921The Lady from Longacre as Lord Anthony Conway
1921The Cheater Reformed as Jordan McCall / Dr. Luther McCall
1920The Iron Rider as Larry Lannigan
1920Singing River as Long Rush
1920The Challenge of the Law as Captain Bruce Cavanaugh
1920Twins of Suffering Creek as Bill Lark
1919The Lincoln Highwayman as Jimmy Clunder
1919Eastward Ho! as Unknown
1919Sacred Silence as Capt. James Craig
1919Six Feet Four as Buck Thornton
1919This Hero Stuff as Captain November Jones
1919A Sporting Chance as John Stonehouse
1919Brass Buttons as Kingdon Hollister
1919Where the West Begins as Cliff Redfern
1918All the World to Nothing as Richard Chester
1918Hobbs in a Hurry as J. Warren Hobbs, Jr.
1918Up Romance Road as Gregory Thorne
1918Hearts or Diamonds? as Larry Hanrahan
1917Snap Judgment as James Page
1917The Masked Heart as Philip Greycourt
1917Shackles of Truth as Gerard Hale
1917A Rough Shod Fighter as Unknown
1916The Bruiser as 'Big Bill' Brawley
1916The Smugglers of Santa Cruz as Robert Langdon
1915Dora Thorne as Ronald
1915Garden of Lies as Dennis Mallory
1915The Diamond from the Sky as Blair Stanley
1915The Dancing Girl as John Christion
1914Under the Gaslight as Ray Trafford
1914The Straight Road as Bill Hubbell
1914The Power of the Press as Turner Morgan
1914His Fireman's Conscience as The Railroad Fireman
1913Peggy's Invitation as Henry Farland, a Young Banker
1913Robin Hood as Robin Hood
1913Moths as Prince Zouroff
1913Little Dorrit as Arthur Clennam
1913Tannhäuser as Wolfram
1913King Rene’s Daughter as Pierre, Captain of the Guards
1913While Baby Slept as The Husband
1913The Caged Bird as The Farmer
1913Carmen as Escamillo, the Toreador
1913The Marble Heart as Editor
1913For Her Boy's Sake as Unknown
1912Star of Bethlehem as King Herod
1912The Repeater as The Political Reformer
1912The Forest Rose as Captain Maywood
1912Petticoat Camp as Unknown
1912Lucile as Duc de Luvois
1912The Little Girl Next Door as The Other Father
1912Put Yourself in His Place as Squire Raby
1912For the Mikado as The Russian Traitor
1912Undine as Spirit of the Brook
1912The Wrecked Taxi as The Husband
1912The Portrait of Lady Anne as Lady Anne's Rejected Suitor
1912Pa's Medicine as Willie's Father
1912Under Two Flags as The Colonel
1912The Ring of a Spanish Grandee as Don Rodrigo
1912Jess as Frank Muller, the Treacherous Boer
1912The Little Shut-in as Manly Feet
1912Jilted as The Suitor
1912The Saleslady as Unknown
1912The Cry of the Children as The factory owner
1912Rejuvenation as The Lighthouse Keeper
1912Into the Desert as The American Girl's Fiancé
1912The Girl of the Grove as The Doctor
1912For Sale -- A Life as The Card Player
1912Flying to Fortune as The Doctor
1912The Silent Witness as The Young Husband
1912East Lynne as Francis Levison
1912A Niagara Honeymoon as The Groom
1911The Lady from the Sea as Alfred, the Sailor
1911Their Burglar as Unknown
1911David Copperfield as Ham Peggotty (in part two)
1911Young Lochinvar as Young Lochinvar
1911A Doll's House as Unknown
1911Lorna Doone as Unknown
1911The Stepmother as Unknown
1911Get Rich Quick as Bunco artist
1911The Colonel and the King as Unknown
1911The Railroad Builder as Unknown
1911His Younger Brother as Unknown
1911The Pasha's Daughter as Unknown
1910Under Western Skies as A Marriage Witness
Production
1918Hearts or Diamonds? ... Producer