Charles Cahill Wilson
Acting
Charles Cahill Wilson (July 29, 1894 – January 7, 1948) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood from the late 1920s to late 1940s. Born in New York City in 1894, the white-haired, burly actor was often typecast as an earnest police officer, newspaper editor or principal. He appeared in over 250 films between 1928 and 1948, mostly playing small supporting roles with a few sentences. Charles Wilson began his acting career at the theatre, including roles in six Broadway plays between 1918 and 1931. In 1928, he directed the Hollywood comedy Lucky Boy (1928), where he also made his film debut. According to the Internet Movie Database, Lucky Boy was Wilson's only film as a director. His most notable role was probably Clark Gable's "wonderfully aggravated" newspaper boss in Frank Capra's comedy It Happened One Night, which won five Academy Awards in 1935. He was also cast in small roles in other Capra movies such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Shortly before his death, Wilson appeared as the boss of the Three Stooges in the two-reel comedy Crime on Their Hands (1948).
Known for
Acting172
movieCommotion on the Ocean
1956
J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
movieCrime on Their Hands
1948
J.L. Cameron
movieBlazing Across the Pecos
1948
Mayor Ace Brockway
movieBig Town Scandal
1948
Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
movieKey Witness
1947
Warden (uncredited)
movieThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty
1947
Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Meet Mr. Mischief
1947
Harry's Boss
movieIt's a Wonderful Life
1946
Charlie (uncredited)
movieGas House Kids
1946
Inspector Shannon
movieBlonde for a Day
1946
Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
movieLarceny in Her Heart
1946
Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
moviePasskey to Danger
1946
Police Sergeant
movieCrime of the Century
1946
Police Lieutenant
movieRoad to Utopia
1946
Official Policeman (uncredited)
movieScarlet Street
1945
Watchman (uncredited)
movieWeek-End at the Waldorf
1945
Hi Johns
movieA Gun in His Hand
1945
Chief of Police (uncredited)
movieTwo O'Clock Courage
1945
Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
movieThe Missing Juror
1944
Mac Ellis (uncredited)
movieCrime by Night
1944
District Attorney Hyatt
movieHey, Rookie
1944
Sam Jonas
movieSilver Spurs
1943
Mr. Hawkins
movieBatman
1943
Captain Arnold
movieGentleman Jim
1942
Gurney (uncredited)
movieThe Secret Code
1942
Desk Sgt. Cullen
movieEscape from Crime
1942
C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
movieDr. Broadway
1942
District Attorney McNamara
movieThis Gun for Hire
1942
Police Captain
movieLady Gangster
1942
Detective
movieThe Man Who Returned to Life
1942
Inspector Mensil
movieBlondie Goes to College
1942
Police Sergeant
movieThe Officer and the Lady
1941
Police Captain Hart
movieDressed to Kill
1941
Newspaper Editor
movieBroadway Limited
1941
Detective (as Charles Wilson)
movieFederal Fugitives
1941
Bruce Lane
movieMeet John Doe
1941
Charlie Dawson
movieThe Face Behind the Mask
1941
Chief O'Brien
movieLady with Red Hair
1940
George Martin (uncredited)
movieTin Pan Alley
1940
Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
movieKnute Rockne All American
1940
Gambler (uncredited)
movieCity for Conquest
1940
Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
moviePublic Deb No. 1
1940
Sergeant
movieThey Drive by Night
1940
Mike Williams (uncredited)
movieMillionaires in Prison
1940
R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)
movieGirl in 313
1940
Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police
movieSandy Is a Lady
1940
Sergeant
movieInvisible Stripes
1939
Arresting Officer (uncredited)
movieThe Return of Doctor X
1939
Det. Kincaid
movieThe Roaring Twenties
1939
Policeman (uncredited)
movieSmashing the Money Ring
1939
Capt. Kilrane
movieHere I Am a Stranger
1939
Managing Editor
movieHotel for Women
1939
Albert
movieThe Cowboy Quarterback
1939
Coach Hap Farrell
movieThe House of Fear
1939
Police Chief
movieRose of Washington Square
1939
Mike Cavanaugh
Fighting Thoroughbreds
1939
Spencer Bogart
movieThe Night Hawk
1938
Lonigan
movieHold That Co-ed
1938
Coach Burke
movieTenth Avenue Kid
1938
Commissioner
movieGateway
1938
Inspector
movieWhen Were You Born
1938
Inspector Jim C. Gregg
moviePrison Farm
1938
Reardon
movieState Police
1938
Captain Halstead
movieSally, Irene and Mary
1938
Covered Wagon Cafe Manager
movieDaughter of Shanghai
1937
Schwartz (uncredited)
movieThe Adventurous Blonde
1937
Mortimer Gray
movieThat’s My Story
1937
Cummings
moviePartners in Crime
1937
Inspector Simpson
movieLife Begins in College
1937
Tom Burke
movieBroadway Melody of 1938
1937
Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
movieOne Mile from Heaven
1937
Fletcher
movieRoaring Timber
1937
Sam Garvin
movieThe Case of the Stuttering Bishop
1937
Hamilton Burger
movieNight Key
1937
Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
movieMidnight Court
1937
Police Chief
movieMurder Goes to College
1937
Police Inspector Simpson
movieThe Great O'Malley
1937
Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)
movieYou Only Live Once
1937
Police Inspector (uncredited)
movieWoman in Distress
1937
Editor Herbert Claxton
movieFind the Witness
1937
Charley Blair (uncredited)
movieMind Your Own Business
1936
Detective
movieLegion of Terror
1936
Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)
movieMurder with Pictures
1936
Assistant Editor (uncredited)
movieDown the Stretch
1936
Tex Reardon
movieThe Gentleman from Louisiana
1936
Diamond Jim Brady
movieGrand Jury
1936
City Editor
movieEarthworm Tractors
1936
H.J. Russell
movie36 Hours to Kill
1936
F.B.I. Chief
movieSatan Met a Lady
1936
Detective Pollock
moviePanic on the Air
1936
Fitzgerald
movieMr. Deeds Goes to Town
1936
County Hospital Guard (uncredited)
movieBig Brown Eyes
1936
Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
movieThe Country Doctor
1936
George the Boat Captain (uncredited)
movieStrike Me Pink
1936
Hardie
movieHitch Hike Lady
1935
Mike - a Racketeer
movieWe're Only Human
1935
Editor of The Daily Star
movieWhite Lies
1935
Defense Attorney (uncredited)
movieShow Them No Mercy!
1935
Clifford
movieMary Burns, Fugitive
1935
G-Man at dancehall
movieMusic Is Magic
1935
Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
movieThe Case of the Lucky Legs
1935
Police Officer Ricker
movieWaterfront Lady
1935
Jim McFee aka Mac
movieThe Public Menace
1935
First Detective
movieSmart Girl
1935
Morgan (uncredited)
movieAfter the Dance
1935
Chief of Police
movieThe Glass Key
1935
District Attorney Edward J. Farr
movieThe Nitwits
1935
Police Captain Jennings
movieMurder in the Fleet
1935
Commander Brown (Uncredited)
movieAir Hawks
1935
Newspaper editor
movieMen of the Hour
1935
Harper
movieThe Case of the Curious Bride
1935
Ferry Captain (uncredited)
movieBaby Face Harrington
1935
City Editor (uncredited)
movieThe Perfect Clue
1935
District Attorney
movieCar 99
1935
Trooper Captain Ryan
movieThe Great Hotel Murder
1935
Anthony Wilson
movieThe Gilded Lily
1935
Managing Editor
movieHere Is My Heart
1934
Captain Dodge (uncredited)
movieThe St. Louis Kid
1934
Mr. Harris
movieThe Human Side
1934
Furniture Buyer (uncredited)
movieEmbarrassing Moments
1934
Attorney
movieThe Dragon Murder Case
1934
Det. Hennessey
movieName the Woman
1934
Joel Walker
movieThe Circus Clown
1934
Sheldon
movieThe Hell Cat
1934
Graham
movieFog Over Frisco
1934
Detective Sergeant O'Hagen
movieAffairs of a Gentleman
1934
Inspector Quillan
movieI Believed in You
1934
Magistrate
movieIt Happened One Night
1934
Joe Gordon
movieThe 9th Guest
1934
Burke (Uncredited)
movieCross Country Cruise
1934
Detective (Uncredited)
movieMiss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
1934
Chief of Police
movieHavana Widows
1933
Mr. Timberg
movieFemale
1933
Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
movieCollege Coach
1933
Charles Hauser
movieThe Kennel Murder Case
1933
Detective Hennessy (uncredited)
movieNo Marriage Ties
1933
Red Moran, City Desk Editor
movieMary Stevens, M.D.
1933
Walter Rising
movieDisgraced!
1933
Thompson, Assistant District Attorney
movieThe Mayor of Hell
1933
Wilson (uncredited)
moviePrivate Detective 62
1933
Club Bartender (Uncredited)
movieGold Diggers of 1933
1933
Deputy (uncredited)
movieElmer, the Great
1933
Mr. Wade (as Charles Wilson)
movieHard to Handle
1933
Jailer (uncredited)
movieThe Trans-Atlantic Mystery
1932
Detective Doyle (uncredited)
The Campus Mystery
1932
Detective Reardon
movieHot News Margie
1931
Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
movieMy Sin
1931
Guest in Pool Party
movieStolen Heaven
1931
Detective
movieInsurance
1930
Doctor (uncredited)
movieGetting a Ticket
1930
Motorcycle Cop
movieAcquitted
1929
Nelson
movieSong of Love
1929
Traveling Salesman
Directing1
movieLucky Boy
1929
Director