William Windom (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Windom
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Windom in My World and Welcome to It
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| Born | September 28, 1923 Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
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| Died | August 16, 2012 (aged 88) Woodacre, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950–2006 |
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| Children | 6 |
| Awards | 1970 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series |
William Windom (September 28, 1923 – August 16, 2012) was a talented American actor. He was known for playing many different types of characters in movies and on TV. He is especially remembered for his role as Dr. Seth Hazlitt in the popular mystery show Murder, She Wrote. In this show, he acted alongside Angela Lansbury from 1984 to 1996.
Windom started his TV career in 1949. He appeared in many early TV shows like The Philco Television Playhouse and Studio One. He also had roles in classic shows such as The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, and Star Trek.
He won an important award, the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, in 1970. This was for his main role as cartoonist John Monroe in the TV comedy My World and Welcome to It. After that, he continued to appear in many popular shows. These included Columbo, Night Gallery, and Quincy M.E.. He also voiced Uncle Chuck in the Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon.
Besides TV, William Windom also acted in many films. Some of his well-known movies include the Oscar-winning To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). He also appeared in Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), and Miracle on 34th Street (1994).
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Early Life and Military Service
William Windom was born in Manhattan, New York City. His father, Paul Windom, was an architect. William was also the great-grandson of another famous William Windom, who was a secretary of the treasury for the United States.
After attending Williams College, Windom joined the U.S. Army. He became a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. While serving in Germany after World War II, he became interested in theater. He studied at the Biarritz American University in France.
Acting Career Highlights
William Windom's acting career began in the 1950s. He appeared in various TV series, including Omnibus.
Early Television and Film Roles
One of his memorable early TV roles was in The Twilight Zone. He played The Major in the 1961 episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit".
His first main role on TV was in the comedy series The Farmer's Daughter (1963–1966). He played a widowed congressman in the show, which ran for three seasons.
In movies, Windom's first role was in the famous film To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). He played Horace Gilmer, the prosecutor in the movie.
Star Trek and Other Notable Appearances
Windom appeared in the classic show Star Trek. He played Commodore Matt Decker in the 1967 episode "The Doomsday Machine". He even played this role again almost 40 years later in Star Trek: New Voyages.
In 1968, he starred with Peter Falk in the TV movie Prescription: Murder. This movie was the pilot for the popular TV series Columbo. He later appeared in another Columbo episode in 1972.
He also acted with Frank Sinatra in the film The Detective (1968).
My World and Welcome to It and Murder, She Wrote
In 1969, Windom took on the lead role of cartoonist John Monroe in the sitcom My World and Welcome to It. Even though the show only lasted one season, he won an Emmy Award for his performance.
His most famous role began in 1985 when he joined Murder, She Wrote. He played Dr. Seth Hazlitt, a kind and wise doctor in the town of Cabot Cove. He appeared in 53 episodes of the show, making him the second most frequent actor after Angela Lansbury. He briefly left the show in 1990 to work on the TV version of Parenthood, but returned to Murder, She Wrote afterward.
Windom continued to act in films and TV shows through the 1990s and early 2000s. His last acting role was in the 2005 drama Yesterday's Dreams.
Personal Life
William Windom was married five times and had six children. He was also a skilled chess player, a sailor, and enjoyed playing tennis.
Death
William Windom passed away on August 16, 2012. He was 88 years old and died from congestive heart failure at his home in Woodacre, California.
Awards and Recognition
William Windom received a major award for his acting:
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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| 1970 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | My World and Welcome to It | Won |
Images for kids
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Playbill for Windom Plays Thurber
See also
In Spanish: William Windom (actor) para niños
