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Grant Williams
1931-1985
Updated 3/27/2007. Thanks to Jack Randall Earles for providing photos and information.
biography
Born Grant John Williams in New York on August 18, 1931 (some sources cite 1930), Grant Williams began acting in summer stock while still a child. Upon graduating from high school, Williams enlisted in the Air Force. After completing his stint, Williams returned home to New York, where he began acting lessons with Lee Strasberg and enrolled in college courses. Although he was initially interested in singing, he soon was bitten by the acting bug. By 1953, he took on small roles in broadway shows such as Late Arrival, but these plays were largely unsuccessful. He had more luck doing television work in New York on the shows Climax and Kraft Television Theatre, which were usually broadcast live. A talent scout spotted Williams for films during his first appearance on Kraft Theatre in 1954.
Various stills of Grant Williams
In 1956, Williams signed with Universal-International and made his film debut in the western Red Sundown with Rory Calhoun. Although Williams made several westerns during his career, his horror films are best remembered today. His horror features for Universal include the cult classics The Monolith Monsters (1957; with Lola Albright); The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957; with Randy Stuart); and The Leech Woman (1960; with Coleen Gray and Gloria Talbott).
When Grant Williams' contract with Universal-International lapsed in 1959, he inked a deal with Warner Bros. to act in the studio's films and television series. His first assignment came when he was added to the cast of the TV series Hawaiian Eye in December 1960 in the role of Greg McKenzie. Other actors in the cast of Hawaiian Eye include Connie Stevens, Anthony Eisley, Robert Conrad, and Troy Donahue.
the films of grant williams
Four Girls in Town (1956)
With Elsa Martinelli in Four Girls in Town
Outside the Law (1956)
With Leigh Snowden in the crime drama Outside the Law
Red Sundown (1956)
From Universal-International's Red Sundown
Showdown at Abilene (1956)
With Jock Mahoney in Showdown at Abilene
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Williams in the Universal-International cult classic The Incredible Shrinking Man, probably his best-known film. The left photo features Randy Stuart
The Leech Woman (1960)
Stills from the campy Universal horror flick The Leech Woman. LEFT: With Coleen Gray and Gloria Talbott. RIGHT: With Coleen Gray
Hawaiian Eye (ABC TV series, 1959-1963)
LEFT: Grant Williams on Hawaiian Eye. RIGHT: Warner Bros. promotional photo
The Iron Horseman (unaired pilot, 1960)
Williams as Ben Scott from the pilot of The Iron Horseman
Susan Slade (1961)
With Connie Stevens in the tearjerker Susan Slade
The Couch (1962)
Williams as a serial killer in The Couch. Also pictured is Shirley Knight
Brain of Blood (1972)
From William's final film, Brain of Blood, directed by Al Adamson. LEFT: Grant Williams and Kent Taylor try to fend off Gor (John Bloom). RIGHT: Williams tends to one of Gor's victims
later years
Before being cast in Hawaiian Eye, Grant Williams shot a pilot for a proposed NBC-TV western series titled The Iron Horseman along with co-star Barry Kelley. However, with the explosion of TV westerns beginning to fade, NBC pulled the plug on this series before the debut of the 1960-1961 season. Warner Bros. cast Williams in several films, including Susan Slade (1961 with Connie Stevens and Troy Donahue); The Couch (1962 with Shirley Knight); and PT 109 (1963 with Cliff Robertson and Ty Hardin). But when his Warner Bros. contract lapsed in 1963, Williams' career took an inexplicable slide. By 1966 Grant Williams's career had faded away, but in the late 1960s, he attempted to make a comeback on television. However, after a bitter disagreement with Jack Webb during the shooting of a 1969 Dragnet episode, Williams walked away from television. He resurfaced again in the early 1970s with a couple of ultra-low-budget exploitation flicks, How's Your Love Life? (1971; with Mary Beth Hughes) and Brain of Blood (1972; with Kent Taylor).
In the mid 1970s, Grant Williams started an acting school in West Hollywood and settled into the life of an acting coach, but he never accepted another film or television role. His last appearance on television was on the game show Family Feud in 1983 with selected cast members from Hawaiian Eye. About 18 months after appearing on the show, Grant Williams passed away from an acute infection. The lifelong bachelor was 53 years old.
Bonanza: The Blood Line/Escape To The Ponderosa [DVD] DVD
In "The Blood Line," Ben faces off against the son of a violent drunk he shot in self-defense. Then, three escaped convicts attack Adam and the Cartwrights and seek revenge in "Escape to the Ponderosa." Grant Williams guest stars.
Bonanza, Vol. 4 VHS
Three escaped convicts attack Adam and the Cartwrights and seek revenge in "Escape to the Ponderosa." Grant Williams guest stars. Also, a young stranger tries to help Ben and Adam after they are convicted of murder in "The Avenger."
The Munsters: The Complete First Season [DVD](1964) DVD
All 38 episodes from the series's debut season--including "Munster Masquerade," "Lo-Cal Munster," "Grandpa Leaves Home," "Follow That Munster," "Yes, Galen, There Is a Herman," and "The Sleeping Cutie" with Grant Williams--are collected in a three-disc set. 16 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; bonus unaired pilot episode.
One Step Beyond, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
First, a man charged with the murder of his wife races to solve the mystery of her disappearance in "Vanishing Point." June Vincent, Edward Binns star. Next, when a woman's "Dead Ringer" begins starting fires, it sets in motion a horrifying string of events. With Norma Crane, Grant Williams. Then, a New York City-based artist keeps witnessing a woman trying to kill herself through "The Open Window." Michael Higgins, Louise Fletcher star. Finally, the lives of four French soldiers during World War I are forever changed by "The Vision." With Richard Devon, Bruce Gordon. 101 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Away All Boats [DVD](1956) DVD
A no-nonsense Navy officer whips untested recruits into a fighting machine against the Japanese Kamikaze force in this explosive saga, shot during an actual Naval operation. Jeff Chandler, Julie Adams, Lex Barker star. 114 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish.
Written On The Wind [DVD](1956) DVD
Sweeping Douglas Sirk melodrama traces the lives, loves, and tragedies of a Texas oil family. Rock Hudson stars as the "adopted son" whose attraction to Lauren Bacall, the wife of spoiled scion Robert Stack, leads to a violent confrontation. Dorothy Malone also stars in an Oscar-winning turn as a drunken, promiscuous daughter, along with Robert Keith, Grant Williams. 97 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; Subtitles: English; filmography; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
The Doomsday Machine (1967)/Werewolf Of Washington [DVD](1973) DVD
First, in this fascinating sci-fier set in futuristic 1976, a spaceship crew launched from Earth and destined for Venus witnesses the destruction of the planet by "The Doomsday Machine" built by the Red Chinese. In order to find the secret of mankind's future, the crew delves deeper into space. Grant Williams, Henry Wilcoxon, Ruta Lee, Denny Miller, and Bobby Van star. AKA: "Escape from Planet Earth." Next, Watergate politics mix with furry monsters in "Werewolf of Washington," a horror-satire that will make you howl. A monster's loose in the White House, out for the President. Dean Stockwell, Michael Dunn. 173 min. total. Soundtrack: English.
The Doomsday Machine(1967) VHS
Fascinating sci-fier set in futuristic 1976, where a spaceship crew launched from Earth and destined for Venus witnesses the destruction of the planet by a Red Chinese doomsday device. In order to find the secret of mankind's future, the crew delves deeper into space. Grant Williams, Henry Wilcoxon, Ruta Lee, Denny Miller and Bobby Van star. 83 min.
Brain Of Blood (The Creature's Revenge) [DVD](1971) DVD
Mad doctor Kent Taylor is hired to transplant the brain of a recently deceased Middle Eastern ruler in order to keep him alive, but when he puts the grey matter into the head of his hulking assistant, the result is a deranged, bloodthirsty fiend (Hey, we said he was mad!). Gory frightfest from director Al Adamson also stars Grant Williams, Reed Hadley, Angelo Rossitto. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby digital mono; audio commentary; featurette; photo gallery; theatrical trailers; publicity materials.
grant williams films available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Brain of Blood (1972) with Regina Carrol, Kent Taylor, and Reed Hadley
How's Your Love Life? (1971) with John Agar, Eve Brent, and Mary Beth Hughes
The Doomsday Machine (1967/1972) with Bobby Van, Ruta Lee, Denny Miller, Mala Powers, James Craig, and Henry Wilcoxon
PT 109 (1963) with Cliff Robertson, Ty Hardin, Robert Culp, Robert Blake, and James Gregory
The Couch (1962) with Shirley Knight and Anne Helm
Susan Slade (1961) with Connie Stevens and Troy Donahue
13 Fighting Men (1960) with Brad Dexter, Carole Mathews, Robert Dix, and Richard Garland
The Leech Woman (1960) with Coleen Gray, Phillip Terry, and Gloria Talbott
The Lone Texan (1959) with Willard Parker, Audrey Dalton, and
Dabbs Greer
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) with Randy Stuart and Raymond Bailey
The Monolith Monsters (1957) with Les Tremayne and Lola Albright
Outside the Law (1956) with Ray Danton, Leigh Snowden, Mel Welles, and Raymond Bailey
Four Girls in Town (1956) with George Nader, Julie Adams, and John Gavin
Red Sundown (1956) with Rory Calhoun and Martha Hyer
Showdown at Abilene (1956) with Jock Mahoney, Martha Hyer, Dean Jagger, and Lita Baron
Written on the Wind (1956) with Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone, Edward Platt, and John Larch
Away All Boats (1956) with Jeff Chandler, George Nader, Julie Adams, Lex Barker, and Keith Andes
TELEVISION SERIES
Hawaiian Eye, ABC-TV series produced by Warner Brothers from 1959 through 1963. Williams was a cast member from December 1960 until the series ended in 1963. Also in the cast were Robert Conrad, Troy Donahue, Anthony Eisley, Connie Stevens, and Poncie Ponce
The Iron Horseman proposed NBC-TV series.
TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Family Feud, multiple appearances with select cast members from Hawaiian Eye (including Connie Stevens, Anthony Eisley, Poncie Ponce, and Troy Donahue), originally aired 1983
The Outcasts, episode The Candidates, originally aired January 27, 1969
Dragnet, episode B.O.D. DR 27, originally aired January 25, 1969
The F.B.I., episode Breakthrough, originally aired November 17, 1968
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Baffling Bug, originally aired December 12, 1965
Bonanza, episode Patchwork Man, originally aired May 23, 1965
The Outer Limits, episode The Brain of Colonel Barham, originally aired January 2, 1965
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Ruinous Road, originally aired December 31, 1964
The Munsters, episode The Sleeping Cutie, originally aired December 10, 1964
Mr. Lucky, episode Stacked Deck, originally aired May 28, 1960
Bonanza, episode Escape to the Ponderosa, originally aired March 5, 1960
Alcoa Presents, episode Dead Ringer, originally aired December 1, 1959
Texas John Slaughter, episode The Man from Bitter Creek, originally aired March 6, 1959
Yancy Derringer, episode Longhair, originally aired March 5, 1959
Gunsmoke, episode Mike Blocker, originally aired February 28, 1959
Man with a Camera, episode Another Barrier, originally aired November 14, 1958
Kraft Television Theatre, in episode I am 15 and I Don't Want to Die, originally aired October 17, 1956
Climax, episode ?, originally aired 1955
Kraft Television Theatre, episode Alice in Wonderland, originally aired May 5, 1954
links
Grant Williams at the Meeker Museum
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This page premiered April 13, 2000.
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