Skip to content
MovieCove
Adam Williams

Adam Williams

Actor · Died December 4, 2006, aged 84 · Wall Lake, Iowa, USA

Adam Williams (born Adam William Berg, November 26, 1922 – December 4, 2006) was an American film and television actor. A veteran "bad guy" actor of 1950s film and TV, he began his career after distinguished World War II military service as a United States Navy pilot, for which he received the Navy Cross. In 1952, Williams played the lead, a Los Angeles woman killer, in the film Without Warning! In 1953, he was cast as Larry, a car bomber, in The Big Heat. He had a leading role in the 1958 science fiction movie The Space Children. Other notable film roles include the psychiatrist in Fear Strikes Out (1957) and Valerian in North by Northwest (1959). During the 1950s and 1960s, he appeared on dozens of television series, including the syndicated Sheriff of Cochise, set in Arizona and starring John Bromfield, and Have Gun – Will Travel in the episode "The Reasonable Man". He portrayed private detective and murderer Jason Beckmeyer in the 1957 Perry Mason episode "The Case of the Runaway Corpse." In 1961, he was cast as Jim Gates in the episode "Frontier Week" on Joanne Dru's sitcom Guestward, Ho!, set on a dude ranch in New Mexico. In 1960, he played the role of a sailor hitching a ride in The Twilight Zone season 1 episode "The Hitch-Hiker", where he is picked up by a terrified driver played by Inger Stevens, who is compelled to pick him up so that he may offer protection and safety to her from a mysterious hitchhiker who shows up at various times and places along the road while she travels across country. Many reviewers have cited this episode as one of The Twilight Zone's "10 Greatest" of the series. He had also appeared in the Twilight Zone episode "A Most Unusual Camera". Between 1959 and 1967 he appeared in six episodes of The Rifleman and in four episodes of Bonanza, and in 1961 as Adam in "A Rope for Charlie Munday", in the ABC adventure series The Islanders. He was cast as Burley Keller in the 1961 episode "The Persecuted" of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series Lawman. He guest-starred in an episode of the 1961 NBC series The Americans, based on family conflicts stemming from the American Civil War, and in an episode of the 1961 series The Asphalt Jungle. One of his later roles was in the 1976 television movie Helter Skelter.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 26, 1922
Died
December 4, 2006 (aged 84)
From
Wall Lake, Iowa, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 85 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 2% in 30 days

What are Adam Williams' films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime 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
Morality
35%
Bonds
28%
Power
14%
Self
11%
Survival
9%
Society
4%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 1 · Serious 6 · Dark 7

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 4

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
5
Contemplative
4
Bittersweet
2
Thrilling
2
Other
10

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1

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 Adam Williams' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Adam Williams' 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

85 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page.

  • Ladies Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Doofus (voice)

  • Helter Skelter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Terrence Milik

  • Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Corwin

  • This Is a Hijack(1973)

    as Smitty

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Schmidt

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as George Henderson · as Prosecutor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The High Chaparral (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Burton

  • Follow Me, Boys!(1966)

    as Sergeant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as David Brice

  • Honey West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Gordon Forbes

  • The Glory Guys(1965)

    as Pvt. Lucas Crain

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Daniel Boone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Mose

  • Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The New Interns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Wolanski

  • Gunfight at Comanche Creek(1963)

    as Jed Hayden

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Jorgenson

  • Temple Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Harmony Brown

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Truck Driver

  • Arrest and Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as C.H. Littler

  • The Gallant Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Col. Nash

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Roper

  • Convicts 4(1962)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Sam Benedict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Burton Harper

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Ralph Walker

  • The Last Sunset(1961)

    as Calverton

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Asphalt Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Americans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Roaring 20's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Surfside 6 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Gifford · as Mel Walters · as Willie Cleveland

  • Stagecoach West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnie Ames

  • The Westerner(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Pauk

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Guestward, Ho! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Hymie Kralik

  • Mission of Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Furman · as Felix · as Soley

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Lloyd Barker · as Paul Meadows

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Gulliver

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Sailor · as Woodward

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Blackie Marx · as Hardesty · as Muller · as Red Twilight

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • North by Northwest(1959)

    as Valerian

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Black Saddle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Brad Pickard · as Clint Frome

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Hank Kale · as Jeb · as Kellino

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Axel Derwent · as Chuck Lynch · as Spud Morrison · as Willie Lee Hanks

  • Lawman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Burley Keller

  • The Rifleman(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Story · Teleplay · as Corporal Troc · as Cory Platt · as Jake Pardee · as Jax · as Mal Sherman · as Russell Ganaway

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Texan(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Jebb Kilmer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Badlanders(1958)

    as Deputy Leslie

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Space Children(1958)

    as Dave Brewster

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Darby's Rangers(1958)

    as Heavy Hall

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Trackdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Cowboy

  • Alcoa Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Wohlman

  • Maverick(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Elkins

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Jason Beckmeyer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • M Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Denny Sutton

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Beckett · as Frank Gault · as Simon Quill

  • The Lonely Man(1957)

    as Lon

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Oklahoman(1957)

    as Bob Randell

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Garment Jungle(1957)

    as Ox

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Fear Strikes Out(1957)

    as Doctor Brown

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Rack(1956)

    as Sgt. Otto Pahnke

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Harlan Breckenridge

  • Wire Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Wells

  • The Proud and Profane(1956)

    as Eustace Press

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Telephone Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor · as Police Lt. King

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Cheyenne(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeb Quinn

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Slim Trent

  • Crashout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Fred Summerfield

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Jackson Greene · as Todd Burke

  • The Yellow Tomahawk(1954)

    as Cpl. Maddock

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Dragonfly Squadron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Capt. Wyler

  • The Big Heat(1953)

    as Larry Gordon

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Vice Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Marty Kusalich

  • General Electric Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Glen

  • The Ford Television Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Private Littauer

  • Four Star Playhouse(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as George

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Without Warning! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Carl Martin

  • Chevron Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Flying Leathernecks(1951)

    as Lt. Bert Malotke

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Queen for a Day(1951)

    as Chuck

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Benjy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Mr. Miller

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 85 titles from 1951 to 2012; peak year 1966.

Biggest box office

North by Northwest (1959)

$210K worldwide

Highest rated

North by Northwest (1959)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19512012

Peak 1966 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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
Acting85 of 85: 84 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thWriting1 of 85: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1950s47 · 47 acting · 1 crew1960s33 · acting1970s4 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 11 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 Adam Williams' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

The Space Children (1958)

68th percentile spread · 58% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

North by Northwest (1959)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. 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 Adam Williams work with?

People who share at least 2 of Adam Williams' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Aldrich shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers