Arthur H. Williams
Actor
About Arthur H. Williams
Arthur H. Williams was an American actor who appeared during the silent film era, with his only known credited role being in Cecil B. DeMille's influential 1915 film 'The Cheat.' His brief career coincided with the early years of American feature filmmaking, when the industry was still establishing itself in Hollywood. Williams appeared alongside stars Fannie Ward and Sessue Hayakawa in this controversial drama that pushed boundaries of its time. Despite being part of a significant early American film, Williams' career appears to have been extremely limited, possibly consisting of only this single role. Like many actors of the period, he may have been a stage actor transitioning to the new medium of film or someone who tried acting briefly before pursuing other interests. His disappearance from film records after 1915 suggests he either left the industry or perhaps returned to stage work, which was more common for actors of that era.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Cheat' (1915)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
As a minor actor in one of the most influential early American films, Arthur H. Williams contributed to the development of American cinema during its formative years. 'The Cheat' was groundbreaking for its time, dealing with controversial themes and featuring innovative cinematography. While Williams' individual contribution was small, he was part of a film that helped establish the language of American cinema and demonstrated the commercial and artistic potential of feature-length motion pictures.
Lasting Legacy
Arthur H. Williams represents the countless anonymous actors who populated early American films but whose names have been largely lost to history. His legacy is tied to his participation in 'The Cheat,' a film that has survived and been studied by film historians for over a century. While he did not achieve lasting fame, he was part of an important transitional period in American filmmaking when the industry was establishing its conventions and discovering its artistic voice.
Who They Inspired
Due to his brief film career, Arthur H. Williams had limited direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. However, as part of a Cecil B. DeMille production, he contributed to the work of a director who would become one of Hollywood's most influential figures, helping create films that would set standards for American cinema for decades to come.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Arthur H. Williams' personal life, as was common for many supporting actors in early silent films who did not achieve star status.
Did You Know?
- Arthur H. Williams' entire known film career consists of a single film from 1915
- He appeared in 'The Cheat,' which was considered controversial for its time due to its themes of adultery and violence
- The film he appeared in was directed by Cecil B. DeMille, who would become one of Hollywood's most famous directors
- His co-star Sessue Hayakawa was one of the first Asian-American movie stars and a major sex symbol of the era
- The film was preserved by the National Film Registry in 1993 for being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'
- Like many early film actors, Williams may have been a stage performer who transitioned briefly to the new medium
- The film was remade multiple times, including a 1923 version and a 1931 version, but Williams did not appear in these remakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Arthur H. Williams?
Arthur H. Williams was an American actor from the silent film era who is known only for his appearance in Cecil B. DeMille's 1915 film 'The Cheat.' His career appears to have been extremely brief, consisting of just this single film role during the early years of Hollywood feature filmmaking.
What films is Arthur H. Williams best known for?
Arthur H. Williams is known only for one film: 'The Cheat' (1915), directed by Cecil B. DeMille. This influential silent drama was controversial for its time and has been preserved by the National Film Registry for its cultural and historical significance.
When was Arthur H. Williams born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, birth and death dates for Arthur H. Williams are not available in historical records, which was common for many supporting actors in early silent films who did not achieve star status.
What awards did Arthur H. Williams win?
Arthur H. Williams did not receive any known awards or nominations for his brief film work, as the Academy Awards were not established until 1929, well after his only known film appearance.
What was Arthur H. Williams' acting style?
Due to the lack of extensive film work and documentation, Arthur H. Williams' specific acting style cannot be determined. Like most actors of the period, he would have used the exaggerated gestures and facial expressions typical of silent film acting to convey emotion without dialogue.
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Films
1 film
