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William Gillespie

William Gillespie

Actor · Died June 23, 1938, aged 44 · Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK

William Gillespie (24 January 1894 – 23 June 1938) was a Scottish actor. Gillespie started in Hollywood films from the silent era. He played in about 180 films between 1915 and 1939, although his appearances were often uncredited. Gillespie frequently appeared in Hal Roach comedies from 1917, usually as stuffy official or manager. He supported such "slapstick comedians" as Charlie Chaplin, Charley Chase, Our Gang, and Laurel and Hardy, but was most prolific supporting Harold Lloyd in 60 films.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 23, 1894
Died
June 23, 1938 (aged 44)
From
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 99 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 7% in 30 days

What are William Gillespie's films like?

Across their 5 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
59%
Self
32%
Morality
8%
Romantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 0 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 2 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
5
Thrilling
4
Absurd
3
Tense
1

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy5

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch William Gillespie's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 6 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (5).

Subscription and free streaming for William Gillespie's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

99 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page.

  • They Won't Believe Me(1947)

    as Waiter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Cabin in the Sky(1943)

    as Soloist in 'Little Black Sheep' (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Thundering Taxis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as Salesman

  • The Music Box(1932)

    as Piano Salesman (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Helping Grandma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Billy

  • Double Whoopee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Hotel manager

  • Wrong Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Horse owner

  • Horse Shy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Gillroy Gibbs

  • Exit Smiling(1926)

    as Jack Hastings (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Bromo and Juliet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as The Great Brandenburg - Stage Magician (uncredited)

  • Don Key (Son of Burro) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Actor

  • Madame Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    Actor

  • Wandering Papas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Construction Worker (uncredited)

  • Should Sailors Marry? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Train Passenger

  • Moonlight and Noses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Actor

  • Your Own Back Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Man in Quarrelsome Couple

  • Innocent Husbands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as The Bachelor

  • Sherlock Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Haughty Guest

  • Isn't Life Terrible? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Medical Officer (uncredited)

  • Chasing the Chaser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Salesman

  • Sure-Mike! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as The New Manager

  • Is Marriage the Bunk? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Patent medicine salesman

  • The Rat's Knuckles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Jimmy's rival

  • The Goofy Age (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • The Poor Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • Why Men Work (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • Wide Open Spaces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • Don't Park There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Druggist

  • Brothers Under the Chin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • Zeb vs. Paprika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    Actor

  • Postage Due (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as C.W. Lyons - Chief Postal inspector

  • The Cowboy Sheik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Fiddler at party

  • Smithy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as The Boss

  • All Wet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Other Driver

  • It's a Joy! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Movie Actor

  • Fully Insured (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as The Boss

  • Scorching Sands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as French officer

  • Dear Ol' Pal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Ebben Tizzle

  • It's a Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Weller Pump, oil executive

  • Why Worry?(1923)

    as Ship's Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Her Dangerous Path (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as John Dryden

  • The Green Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Fire Insurance Salesman

  • Dogs of War! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Director of 'Should Husbands Work?'

  • Pick and Shovel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as The Boss

  • Under Two Jags (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Actor

  • Sold at Auction! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Aviator with False Teeth

  • White Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    Actor

  • Safety Last!(1923)

    as General Manager's Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Jack(1922)

    as Card Player (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Shine 'Em Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Prison guard

  • Grandma's Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Actor

  • The Dumb-Bell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Abe Silverstein - Film producer

  • The Sleuth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as The Prince

  • Punch the Clock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Actor

  • Do Me a Favor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as A Fireman

  • Pardon Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    Actor

  • On Location (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Actor

  • Fifteen Minutes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    Actor

  • Never Weaken(1921)

    as The Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Dodge Your Debts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Pub Patron

  • I Do (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Brother-in-Law (uncredited)

  • Among Those Present (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Hard-Boiled Party

  • Now or Never (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as The Child's Daddy (uncredited)

  • Number, Please? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Cop (uncredited)

  • Get Out and Get Under (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Dope Fiend (uncredited)

  • A Regular Pal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • Run 'Em Ragged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • High and Dizzy(1920)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Any Old Port (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • Haunted Spooks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as The Lawyer (uncredited)

  • Raise the Rent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    Actor

  • His Royal Slyness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Courtier

  • The Dippy Dentist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Cop

  • Looking for Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Undertaker

  • Next Aisle Over (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as (uncredited)

  • Do You Love Your Wife? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Elmer - the faithless husband

  • Take a Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Bees in His Bonnet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Bride and Gloom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • That's Him (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • An Ozark Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Somewhere in Turkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • The City Slicker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Hey There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Actor

  • It's a Wild Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Band leader

  • Pipe the Whiskers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Let's Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Here Come the Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Look Pleasant, Please (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as The Photographer (uncredited)

  • A Gasoline Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Beat It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • The Tip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    Actor

  • Step Lively (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Bashful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Move On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • The Flirt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Bliss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Cop / Violinist

  • The Immigrant(1917)

    as Violinist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Cure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Patient (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 99 titles from 1917 to 1947.

Highest rated

Safety Last! (1923)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting99 of 99: 99 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score86th

By decade

1910s26 · acting1920s68 · acting1930s3 · acting1940s2 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 16 roles
1722

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do William Gillespie's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 86th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 85th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

92ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th1

Shape of the crowd

None of their 10 titles divides audiences: 7 are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser7

Most loved · actor

Safety Last! (1923)

Midcredits 97th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 80/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 56. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does William Gillespie work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Gillespie's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; H.M. Walker shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers