William Haines facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Haines
Haines in 1920
Born	Charles William Haines (1900-01-02)January 2, 1900 Staunton, Virginia, U.S.
Died	December 26, 1973(1973-12-26) (aged 73) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place	Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, Santa Monica
Occupation	Actor interior designer
Years active	1922–1973
Partner(s)	Jimmie Shields (1926–1973)

Charles William Haines (born January 2, 1900 – died December 26, 1973) was a famous American actor. He later became a very successful interior designer.

William Haines was discovered by a talent scout in 1922. His acting career grew quickly, especially after he received good reviews for his role in The Midnight Express. By 1926, his performance in Brown of Harvard made him known for playing a clever, confident leading man. By the end of the 1920s, Haines was a very popular movie star.

In the 1930s, Haines made a personal choice that led to his acting career ending. He decided to prioritize his relationship with his life partner, Jimmie Shields, over continuing to act. After leaving acting in 1935, he started a successful interior design business with Jimmie. Many of his friends in Hollywood became his clients. William Haines passed away in December 1973 at 73 years old.

Early Life and Discovery

William Haines was born on January 2, 1900, in Staunton, Virginia. He was the third child in his family. From a young age, he loved watching silent films and was fascinated by stage performances.

When he was 14, Haines left home. He worked at a factory and even opened a dance hall to earn money. Later, he moved to New York City. In 1922, a talent scout discovered William Haines during a contest. He was then signed to a movie studio contract and moved to Hollywood.

Acting Career

Haines' acting career started with small roles. His first important part was in Three Wise Fools (1923). Critics noticed his talent, and the studio began to promote him as a new star.

In 1924, he starred in The Midnight Express, which received excellent reviews. His big breakthrough came with Brown of Harvard in 1926. In this film, he perfected his screen image as a confident young man who learns important lessons.

In 1926, Haines met James "Jimmie" Shields in New York. Jimmie moved to Los Angeles, and they soon began living together. They were a committed couple, though their relationship was kept private from the public.

William Haines became a top movie star from 1928 to 1932. He successfully moved from silent films to "talkies" (movies with sound). His first all-talking film was Navy Blues. In 1930, he was even named the top box-office star in the country.

Haines in 1931

In 1933, William Haines faced a difficult choice regarding his personal life. He chose to stay with Jimmie Shields, his long-term partner. Because of this decision, the studio ended his acting contract. He made a few more small films, but soon retired from acting completely in 1934.

Even after he stopped acting, Haines still received offers for movie roles. He was offered a small part in the famous film Sunset Boulevard (1950), but he turned it down. He enjoyed being away from the movie business while still having friends in it.

Interior Design Career

After leaving acting, William Haines and Jimmie Shields started a new career together. They became very successful interior designers and antique dealers. Their first clients included many of their famous Hollywood friends, like Joan Crawford and Marion Davies.

Their design business grew and became very successful. They worked for many important people, including Jack L. Warner, a major studio head. In the 1960s and 1970s, their clients included Betsy Bloomingdale and Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan when Ronald was governor of California. Haines also helped design the interiors of the "Sunnylands" estate in Rancho Mirage.

Final Years and Legacy

William Haines and Jimmie Shields remained together for the rest of their lives. Actress Joan Crawford once called them "the happiest married couple in Hollywood."

William Haines passed away on December 26, 1973, in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 73. Jimmie Shields passed away shortly after, on March 6, 1974. They are buried next to each other in Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery.

For his important contributions to the movie industry, William Haines has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His design company, William Haines Designs, is still in business today.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: William Haines para niños