ReelRifter
Charles C. Wilson

Charles C. Wilson

Acting

Born July 28, 1894 — Died January 7, 1948 New York City, New York, USA

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).

Movies(172)

Commotion on the Ocean

Commotion on the Ocean

J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)

1956

Crime on Their Hands

Crime on Their Hands

J.L. Cameron

1948

Blazing Across the Pecos

Blazing Across the Pecos

Mayor Ace Brockway

1948

Big Town Scandal

Big Town Scandal

Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)

1948

Key Witness

Key Witness

Warden (uncredited)

1947

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)

1947

Meet Mr. Mischief

Meet Mr. Mischief

Harry's Boss

1947

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life

Charlie (uncredited)

1946

Gas House Kids

Gas House Kids

Inspector Shannon

1946

Blonde for a Day

Blonde for a Day

Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)

1946

Larceny in Her Heart

Larceny in Her Heart

Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)

1946

Passkey to Danger

Passkey to Danger

Police Sergeant

1946

Crime of the Century

Crime of the Century

Police Lieutenant

1946

Road to Utopia

Road to Utopia

Official Policeman (uncredited)

1946

Scarlet Street

Scarlet Street

Watchman (uncredited)

1945

Week-End at the Waldorf

Week-End at the Waldorf

Hi Johns

1945

A Gun in His Hand

A Gun in His Hand

Chief of Police (uncredited)

1945

Two O'Clock Courage

Two O'Clock Courage

Brant - City Editor (uncredited)

1945

The Missing Juror

The Missing Juror

Mac Ellis (uncredited)

1944

Crime by Night

Crime by Night

District Attorney Hyatt

1944

Hey, Rookie

Hey, Rookie

Sam Jonas

1944

Silver Spurs

Silver Spurs

Mr. Hawkins

1943

Batman

Batman

Captain Arnold

1943

Gentleman Jim

Gentleman Jim

Gurney (uncredited)

1942

The Secret Code

The Secret Code

Desk Sgt. Cullen

1942

Escape from Crime

Escape from Crime

C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)

1942

Dr. Broadway

Dr. Broadway

District Attorney McNamara

1942

This Gun for Hire

This Gun for Hire

Police Captain

1942

Lady Gangster

Lady Gangster

Detective

1942

Rings on Her Fingers

Rings on Her Fingers

1942

The Man Who Returned to Life

The Man Who Returned to Life

Inspector Mensil

1942

Blondie Goes to College

Blondie Goes to College

Police Sergeant

1942

The Officer and the Lady

The Officer and the Lady

Police Captain Hart

1941

Dressed to Kill

Dressed to Kill

Newspaper Editor

1941

Out of the Fog

Out of the Fog

1941

Broadway Limited

Broadway Limited

Detective (as Charles Wilson)

1941

Federal Fugitives

Federal Fugitives

Bruce Lane

1941

Meet John Doe

Meet John Doe

Charlie Dawson

1941

The Face Behind the Mask

The Face Behind the Mask

Chief O'Brien

1941

Charter Pilot

Charter Pilot

Owen

1940

Lady with Red Hair

Lady with Red Hair

George Martin (uncredited)

1940

Tin Pan Alley

Tin Pan Alley

Desk Sergeant (uncredited)

1940

Knute Rockne All American

Knute Rockne All American

Gambler (uncredited)

1940

City for Conquest

City for Conquest

Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)

1940

Public Deb No. 1

Public Deb No. 1

Sergeant

1940

They Drive by Night

They Drive by Night

Mike Williams (uncredited)

1940

Millionaires in Prison

Millionaires in Prison

R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)

1940

Girl in 313

Girl in 313

Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police

1940

Sandy Is a Lady

Sandy Is a Lady

Sergeant

1940

Gangs of Chicago

Gangs of Chicago

1940

He Married His Wife

He Married His Wife

Warden

1940

Invisible Stripes

Invisible Stripes

Arresting Officer (uncredited)

1939

The Return of Doctor X

The Return of Doctor X

Det. Kincaid

1939

The Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties

Policeman (uncredited)

1939

Smashing the Money Ring

Smashing the Money Ring

Capt. Kilrane

1939

Here I Am a Stranger

Here I Am a Stranger

Managing Editor

1939

Hotel for Women

Hotel for Women

Albert

1939

The Cowboy Quarterback

The Cowboy Quarterback

Coach Hap Farrell

1939

The House of Fear

The House of Fear

Police Chief

1939

Rose of Washington Square

Rose of Washington Square

Mike Cavanaugh

1939

Fighting Thoroughbreds

Fighting Thoroughbreds

Spencer Bogart

1939

Angels with Dirty Faces

Angels with Dirty Faces

1938

The Spider's Web

The Spider's Web

Chase

1938

The Night Hawk

The Night Hawk

Lonigan

1938

Hold That Co-ed

Hold That Co-ed

Coach Burke

1938

Tenth Avenue Kid

Tenth Avenue Kid

Commissioner

1938

Gateway

Gateway

Inspector

1938

When Were You Born

When Were You Born

Inspector Jim C. Gregg

1938

Prison Farm

Prison Farm

Reardon

1938

Little Miss Thoroughbred

Little Miss Thoroughbred

Becker

1938

State Police

State Police

Captain Halstead

1938

Sally, Irene and Mary

Sally, Irene and Mary

Covered Wagon Cafe Manager

1938

Daughter of Shanghai

Daughter of Shanghai

Schwartz (uncredited)

1937

The Adventurous Blonde

The Adventurous Blonde

Mortimer Gray

1937

That’s My Story

That’s My Story

Cummings

1937

Partners in Crime

Partners in Crime

Inspector Simpson

1937

Life Begins in College

Life Begins in College

Tom Burke

1937

Broadway Melody of 1938

Broadway Melody of 1938

Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)

1937

One Mile from Heaven

One Mile from Heaven

Fletcher

1937

Roaring Timber

Roaring Timber

Sam Garvin

1937

The Case of the Stuttering Bishop

The Case of the Stuttering Bishop

Hamilton Burger

1937

Night Key

Night Key

Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)

1937

Midnight Court

Midnight Court

Police Chief

1937

Murder Goes to College

Murder Goes to College

Police Inspector Simpson

1937

The Great O'Malley

The Great O'Malley

Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)

1937

They Wanted to Marry

They Wanted to Marry

Clark

1937

You Only Live Once

You Only Live Once

Police Inspector (uncredited)

1937

Woman in Distress

Woman in Distress

Editor Herbert Claxton

1937

Find the Witness

Find the Witness

Charley Blair (uncredited)

1937

Mind Your Own Business

Mind Your Own Business

Detective

1936

Legion of Terror

Legion of Terror

Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)

1936

The Magnificent Brute

The Magnificent Brute

Murphy

1936

Murder with Pictures

Murder with Pictures

Assistant Editor (uncredited)

1936

Down the Stretch

Down the Stretch

Tex Reardon

1936

The Gentleman from Louisiana

The Gentleman from Louisiana

Diamond Jim Brady

1936

I'd Give My Life

I'd Give My Life

Warden

1936

Grand Jury

Grand Jury

City Editor

1936

Earthworm Tractors

Earthworm Tractors

H.J. Russell

1936

36 Hours to Kill

36 Hours to Kill

F.B.I. Chief

1936

Satan Met a Lady

Satan Met a Lady

Detective Pollock

1936

Show Boat

Show Boat

1936

The Mine with the Iron Door

The Mine with the Iron Door

Pitkins

1936

Panic on the Air

Panic on the Air

Chief Inspector Fitzgerald

1936

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

County Hospital Guard (uncredited)

1936

Big Brown Eyes

Big Brown Eyes

Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)

1936

The Country Doctor

The Country Doctor

George the Boat Captain (uncredited)

1936

The Return of Jimmy Valentine

The Return of Jimmy Valentine

Kelley

1936

Strike Me Pink

Strike Me Pink

Hardie

1936

Hitch Hike Lady

Hitch Hike Lady

Mike - a Racketeer

1935

We're Only Human

We're Only Human

Editor of The Daily Star

1935

White Lies

White Lies

Defense Attorney (uncredited)

1935

Show Them No Mercy!

Show Them No Mercy!

Clifford

1935

Mary Burns, Fugitive

Mary Burns, Fugitive

G-Man at dancehall

1935

Music Is Magic

Music Is Magic

Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)

1935

The Case of the Lucky Legs

The Case of the Lucky Legs

Police Officer Ricker

1935

Waterfront Lady

Waterfront Lady

Jim McFee aka Mac

1935

The Public Menace

The Public Menace

First Detective

1935

Smart Girl

Smart Girl

Morgan (uncredited)

1935

After the Dance

After the Dance

Chief of Police

1935

The Glass Key

The Glass Key

District Attorney Edward J. Farr

1935

The Nitwits

The Nitwits

Police Captain Jennings

1935

Murder in the Fleet

Murder in the Fleet

Commander Brown (Uncredited)

1935

Air Hawks

Air Hawks

Newspaper editor

1935

Men of the Hour

Men of the Hour

Harper

1935

The Case of the Curious Bride

The Case of the Curious Bride

Ferry Captain (uncredited)

1935

Baby Face Harrington

Baby Face Harrington

City Editor (uncredited)

1935

Four Hours to Kill!

Four Hours to Kill!

Taft

1935

The Perfect Clue

The Perfect Clue

District Attorney

1935

Car 99

Car 99

Trooper Captain Ryan

1935

The Great Hotel Murder

The Great Hotel Murder

Anthony Wilson

1935

The Gilded Lily

The Gilded Lily

Managing Editor

1935

Here Is My Heart

Here Is My Heart

Captain Dodge (uncredited)

1934

Murder in the Clouds

Murder in the Clouds

Lackey

1934

Men of the Night

Men of the Night

Benson

1934

The St. Louis Kid

The St. Louis Kid

Mr. Harris

1934

Port of Lost Dreams

Port of Lost Dreams

Warden

1934

The Human Side

The Human Side

Furniture Buyer (uncredited)

1934

Embarrassing Moments

Embarrassing Moments

Attorney

1934

The Dragon Murder Case

The Dragon Murder Case

Det. Hennessey

1934

Name the Woman

Name the Woman

Joel Walker

1934

The Circus Clown

The Circus Clown

Sheldon

1934

The Hell Cat

The Hell Cat

Graham

1934

Fog Over Frisco

Fog Over Frisco

Detective Sergeant O'Hagen

1934

Affairs of a Gentleman

Affairs of a Gentleman

Inspector Quillan

1934

I Believed in You

I Believed in You

Magistrate

1934

It Happened One Night

It Happened One Night

Joe Gordon

1934

The 9th Guest

The 9th Guest

Burke (Uncredited)

1934

Cross Country Cruise

Cross Country Cruise

Detective (Uncredited)

1934

Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen

Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen

Chief of Police

1934

Shadows of Sing Sing

Shadows of Sing Sing

1933

Havana Widows

Havana Widows

Mr. Timberg

1933

Female

Female

Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)

1933

College Coach

College Coach

Charles Hauser

1933

The Kennel Murder Case

The Kennel Murder Case

Detective Hennessy (uncredited)

1933

No Marriage Ties

No Marriage Ties

Red Moran, City Desk Editor

1933

Mary Stevens, M.D.

Mary Stevens, M.D.

Walter Rising

1933

Disgraced!

Disgraced!

Thompson, Assistant District Attorney

1933

The Mayor of Hell

The Mayor of Hell

Wilson (uncredited)

1933

Private Detective 62

Private Detective 62

Club Bartender (Uncredited)

1933

Gold Diggers of 1933

Gold Diggers of 1933

Deputy (uncredited)

1933

Elmer, the Great

Elmer, the Great

Mr. Wade (as Charles Wilson)

1933

Hard to Handle

Hard to Handle

Jailer (uncredited)

1933

The Trans-Atlantic Mystery

The Trans-Atlantic Mystery

Detective Doyle (uncredited)

1932

The Campus Mystery

The Campus Mystery

Detective Reardon

1932

Hot News Margie

Hot News Margie

Newspaper Editor (uncredited)

1931

My Sin

My Sin

Guest in Pool Party

1931

Stolen Heaven

Stolen Heaven

Detective

1931

Insurance

Insurance

Doctor (uncredited)

1930

Getting a Ticket

Getting a Ticket

Motorcycle Cop

1930

Acquitted

Acquitted

Nelson

1929

Song of Love

Song of Love

Traveling Salesman

1929

Broadway Scandals

Broadway Scandals

Jack

1929