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Grant Williams
1931-1985
Updated 3/27/2009 with more films available on DVD. 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 slid badly, as his reputation for being difficult took hold, not to mention his increasing reliance on alcohol. 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 two years after appearing on the show, Grant Williams passed away from peritonitis on July 28, 1985. The lifelong bachelor was 53 years old.
Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition [DVD] DVD
Twelve of the series's best episodes--including "The Case of the Wary Wildcatter," "The Case of the Treacherous Toupee," "The Case of the Counterfeit Crank," "The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe," and "The Case of the Final Fade-Out"--have been collected in this four-disc set. Also included is "Perry Mason Returns" (1985), the TV movie that finds the legal eagle (Raymond Burr), now a judge, stepping down from the bench to defend former secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) when she's accused of murder. 12 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurette; interviews; photo gallery; TV spots; screen tests; more.
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.
The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection, Vols. 1 & 2 [DVD] DVD
"Dr. Cyclops" (1940) stars Albert Dekker as a mad scientist who shrinks five people to miniature size and holds them prisoner. A group of American G.I.s stumbles on the secret rituals of the snake-worshipping "Cult of the Cobra" (1955). Faith Domergue, David Janssen star. A lab experiment unleashes a rapidly growing "Tarantula" (1955). John Agar, Leo G. Carroll star. Archeologists Agar and Hugh Beaumont discover a clawed, bug-eyed race called "The Mole People" (1956). Grant Williams is "The Incredible Shrinking Man" (1957) who begins to diminish in size after exposure to radiation. Meteorite fragments absorb water from everything around them (including people), creating "The Monolith Monsters" (1957). An expedition to Antarctica finds a prehistoric world, in "The Land Unknown" (1957). Earthquakes release a giant prehistoric insect from suspended animation, in "The Deadly Mantis" (1957). A college biology instructor is transformed into a Neanderthal man, in "Monster on the Campus" (1958). A native African ritual turn s a scientist's wife into "The Leech Woman" (1960). 13 hrs. total on six discs. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers.
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.
Warner Bros. Romance Classics Collection [DVD] DVD
First, "Parrish" (1961) stars Troy Donahue as a young man frustrated with his attempts to fit in with New England's rich tobacco growers. When his mother marries one of them, his attempts to climb the social ladder are thwarted by his stepdad. With Claudette Colbert, Karl Malden. Next, Connie Stevens shines as "Susan Slade" (1961), a naive teen who falls for a mountain climber during an Alaskan vacation. But when the ensuing affair results in the birth of a child, tragedy soon follows. With Donahue, Dorothy McGuire, Grant Williams. Then, in "Rome Adventure" (1962), Suzanne Pleshette plays an American librarian who travels to the Eternal City to find romance. After a relationship with a native, she falls for an art student from the United States. Donahue, Rossano Brazzi, Angie Dickinson co-star. AKA: "Lovers Must Learn." Lastly, in "Palm Springs Weekend" (1963), college jocks and pretty young gals experience plenty of romance, jealousy, and fights at the California resort. Donahue, Stevens, Stefanie Powers, Ty Hardin star. 7 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers. Four-disc set.
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 Blood Island Vacation [DVD] DVD
Four-disc boxed set includes "Beast of Blood," "Brain of Blood," "Brides of Blood," and "Mad Doctor of Blood Island."
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, appearance with select cast members from Hawaiian Eye (including Connie Stevens, Anthony Eisley, Poncie Ponce, and Troy Donahue), originally aired April 15, 1983
My Friend Tony, episode The Lost Hours, originally aired February 2, 1969
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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