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William Kerwin

William Kerwin

Actor and writer · Died October 27, 1989, aged 62 · San Diego, California, USA

Though character actor William Kerwin may be better known for Herschell Gordon Lewis horror movies. He has enjoyed a major stage, film and TV career. At a young age, William was trained on the stage and appeared in several plays and Broadway shows. During his acting career he has worked a lot on the stage with his wife Connie Mason, a former actress, whom he met in the horror movie Blood Feast (1963) and with his brother Harry Kerwin. The two brothers co-founded the San Diego Actor's Theatre in the 1950s and worked together in several movies too.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
April 17, 1927
Died
October 27, 1989 (aged 62)
From
San Diego, California, USA
Works as
Actor and writer
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 81 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 35% in 30 days

What are William Kerwin's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
33%
Morality
25%
Bonds
18%
Self
14%
Society
6%
Power
4%
Violence5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 3 · Dark 4

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

Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 4

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 4

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 10 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Dread
6
Absurd
7
Warm
2
Hopeful
2
Other
9

How their films linger

Fun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous6

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 Kerwin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Kerwin'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

81 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Bomber Harris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Fred Walsh

  • Act of Betrayal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor Denny

  • Dreams Lost, Dreams Found (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Edward

  • P.I. Private Investigations (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Anthony

  • Sno-Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Max McClain

  • The Heavenly Kid(1985)

    as Suburbanite

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Doin' Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Sound

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Census Taker(1984)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Porky's II: The Next Day(1983)

    as Boa Man (as Rooney Kerwin)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Absence of Malice(1981)

    as Walker

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Star Maker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Doctor Parker (uncredited)

  • The Aliens Are Coming(1980)

    as Professor Reeve (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Make Me an Offer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Claude Benson

  • The Evictors(1979)

    as Harry Richardson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Barracuda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Sheriff Ben Williams

  • Convention Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Doctors' Private Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Dr. George Bana

  • Whiskey Mountain(1977)

    Key Grip · as Homer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Tomcats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Detective Tom Garrett

  • The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Old Man

  • No Way Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Medical Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • God's Bloody Acre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Monroe

  • The Log of the Black Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Alfred

  • Impulse(1974)

    as Soldier

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Ride in a Pink Car (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Earl

  • The Single Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Writer

  • The Godmothers(1973)

    as Speedboat Owner

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Class of '63 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Rex

  • House of Terror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Russell Donovan (uncredited)

  • All My Darling Daughters(1972)

    as Lester (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Dear Dead Delilah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Burke (uncredited)

  • The Ballad of Billie Blue(1972)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Jump(1971)

    Key Grip

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Revenge Is My Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Policeman

  • Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful Things(1971)

    as Detective (as Thomas Wood)

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Sweet Bird of Aquarius (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Assistant Director · Producer · Production Manager · Screenplay · as Steve Bradford

  • The Naked Zoo(1970)

    Gaffer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Flesh Feast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Gaffer

  • Penny Wise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Gaffer · Actor

  • Childish Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Mr. Sullivan

  • Campus Heat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Girls Come Too! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Nudist (uncredited)

  • The Hooked Generation(1968)

    as FBI Man #1

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • A Piece of Her Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Suburban Roulette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Production Manager · as Marty Conley (as Thomas Wood)

  • The Winter's Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Jeff

  • My Third Wife, George (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Producer · as Ralph Higbee

  • Playgirl Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Story · as Bill

  • The Gruesome Twosome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Production Manager

  • A Taste of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Production Manager · as Dr. Hank Tyson (as Thomas Wood)

  • Winchester '73(1967)

    as Roland Harcourt

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Sting of Death(1966)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Jimmy, the Boy Wonder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Man Mowing Lawn (uncredited)

  • Adam Lost His Apple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Screenplay

  • Sex and the College Girl(1964)

    as Tentor

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Two Thousand Maniacs!(1964)

    as Tom White

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Six She's and a He (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Writer

  • Scum of the Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Harmon Johnson

  • Bell, Bare and Beautiful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Rick Bradshaw

  • Goldilocks and the Three Bares (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Tommy Sweetwood

  • Blood Feast(1963)

    as Detective Pete Thornton

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Boin-n-g (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Al Harding

  • The Adventures of Lucky Pierre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as The Plumber

  • Five Finger Exercise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Mark (uncredited)

  • Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Matthew

  • Babes in the Woods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Pagan Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Sea Captain

  • The Fiercest Heart(1961)

    as Bart

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Long Rope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Steve Matthews

  • Living Venus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Jack Norwall

  • Not for Hire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil

  • Carving Magic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Joe

  • Tread Softly Stranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Michael

  • Thundering Jets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Gary

  • The Amazon Trader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Husband

  • The Eternal Sea(1955)

    as Cole

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dragon's Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Gene

  • The Moonlighter(1953)

    as Tony

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Everything I Have Is Yours(1952)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 80 titles from 1952 to 1989; peak year 1963.

Biggest box office

The Heavenly Kid (1985)

$3.9M worldwide

Highest rated

The Heavenly Kid (1985)

Midcredits 54th

Film career

19521989

Peak 1963 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting70 of 80: 63 only acting, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score25thWriting7 of 80: 5 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing2 of 80: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew10 of 80: 5 only other crew, 5 with another role

80 titles, 7 with more than one role — acting and other crew overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1950s9 · acting1960s31 · 27 acting · 8 crew1970s27 · 22 acting · 8 crew1980s13 · 12 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 25% of 8 roles

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.

How do William Kerwin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 25th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 25th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

20thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 25 titles are Mixed.

  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

The Godmothers (1973)

99th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Absence of Malice (1981)

Midcredits 77th · 68% liked

Reviewers score the acting 41/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 54, detractors 25. 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.

Is William Kerwin's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does William Kerwin work with?

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

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles