Skip to content
MovieCove
William Wellman Jr.

William Wellman Jr.

Actor, also producer and writer · Born January 20, 1937 (89) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Rangy, sturdy-looking actor William Wellman Jr., was born in Los Angeles on January 20, 1937, one of seven children born to legendary director William A. Wellman and his fourth wife, one-time actress Dorothy Coonan Wellman, who appeared in a few of her husband's pictures. Bill Jr. spent most of his childhood surrounded by Hollywood celebrity. He got the fresh taste of a film set as a youngster when he appeared unbilled in a couple of his father's features. Following graduation, he attended Duke University but eventually abandoned that direction for a career in the movies. Starting off in featured parts in the war pictures Lafayette Escadrille (1958) and Darby's Rangers (1958), both of which directed by his father, Bill Jr. found other work on his own in less quality films. Some of the teen exploitation he found himself in have since attained cult status, including High School Confidential! (1958), Macumba Love (1960) and College Confidential (1960). "Billy Jack" director Tom Laughlin also began using Bill prominently in his early work such as Like Father, Like Son (1961) [The Young Sinner] and The Born Losers (1967). In sparser times he managed to find some unbilled bits in several of Jerry Lewis's film slapstick of the 1960s, and fell in with the party crowd in A Swingin' Affair (1963), Winter A-Go-Go (1965) and A Swingin' Summer (1965). His TV career kicked in as the 1960s approached with a number of rugged guest roles on such established westerns as "Have Gun, Will Travel," "Rawhide," "Laramie" and "Gunsmoke." In later years, Bill found work in a few more cult classics, including Black Caesar (1973), It's Alive (1974), and Laughlin's "Billy Jack" sequels. Establishing himself as a solid character actor, he took the lead in the apocalypse thrillers Image of the Beast (1981) and The Prodigal Planet (1983), the latter featuring daughter Cathy Wellman. While the quality of his films would vary over the years, Bill Jr.'s career has managed longevity and durability in a very difficult business. Moreover, he is credited with nearly 200 movies and television shows, 17 stage productions and some 200 commercial and industrial films. In addition to his acting work, his nearly 50-year career includes writing and producing efforts. He has occasionally appeared as a guest lecturer and has been active at autograph conventions. Primarily seen on TV in later years, he appeared on such programs as "Days of Our Lives" (recurring), "Alien Nation," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "The Pretender," "Star Trek" Deep Space Nine," "The Practice," "JAG," "Alias" and "CSI." Of his many siblings, sister Cissy Wellman has also established herself as an actress of stage, film and TV.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
January 20, 1937 (89)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 62 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

What are William Wellman Jr.'s films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Sci-Fi2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Sci-Fi movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
22%
Bonds
18%
Survival
16%
Society
14%
Self
12%
Power
9%
Ideas
9%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFaith2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 3 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 3 · Intense 4

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 3 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Dread
4
Hopeful
3
Contemplative
2
Joyful
1
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch William Wellman Jr.'s films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Wellman Jr.'s titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

62 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Clara Bow: Hollywood's Lost Screen Goddess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Watching Ellie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Client

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Priest

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Hampton Huxley

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted Barrington

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as USAF General

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Xavier

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick(1995)

    Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg(1994)

    as Judge

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Blood Run(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Bajoran Officer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Beverly Hills, 90210(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Rubin

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • V(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Turney

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Prodigal Planet(1983)

    Writer · as David Michaels

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Brother Enemy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Image of the Beast(1981)

    as David Michaels

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Institute for Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Mechanic (uncredited)

  • It Lives Again(1978)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • A Love Affair: The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig Story(1977)

    as Dickey

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover(1977)

    as Dwight Webb Sr.

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Logan's Run(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Psychiatrist #1

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • MacArthur(1977)

    as Lieutenant Bulkeley

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Billy Jack Goes to Washington(1977)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Gibel

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • It's Alive(1974)

    as Charley

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Hell Up in Harlem(1973)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Black Caesar(1973)

    as Alfred Coleman

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Which Way to the Front?(1970)

    as Sgt. Mosgrove (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Brady Bunch(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Adam-12(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · as Officer Snyder

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell(1968)

    as Cpl. Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Happiest Millionaire(1967)

    as Lieutenant Grayson

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Big Mouth(1967)

    as Harold - Bellboy / Car Hop (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Born Losers(1967)

    as Child

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Winter A-Go-Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Jeff Forrester

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as R.A. Douglas

  • Like Father, Like Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as John

  • A Swingin' Summer(1965)

    as Rick Howell

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • 12 O'Clock High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Aide · as Sergeant Ellers

  • Gunfight at Comanche Creek(1963)

    as Deputy

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • A Swingin' Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Johnny Kwalski

  • How the West Was Won(1962)

    as Officer #2 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Brice · as Woody

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Errand Boy(1961)

    as Actor / Lover in Film

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Ladies Man(1961)

    as Soda Jerk / Rod Reason (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Dondi(1961)

    as Ted

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Gunslinger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Recruit

  • College Confidential (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Bob

  • Macumba Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Warren

  • Sergeant Rutledge(1960)

    as Court Guard (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Horse Soldiers(1959)

    as Bugler (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Pork Chop Hill(1959)

    as 'Iron Man'

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Rawhide (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Chatsworth · as Harry Dobkins · as Sergeant Bennett

  • High School Confidential!(1958)

    as Wheeler-Dealer

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lafayette Escadrille(1958)

    as Bill Wellman Sr.

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Darby's Rangers(1958)

    as Eli Clatworthy

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Sayonara(1957)

    as Stars and Stripes Reporter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 3 episodes · as 2nd Posseman

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Pvt. King · as Roy

  • Gallant Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Boy (uncredited)

  • The Return of Billy Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer

Career shape

Star power in the 81st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles, 60 of them dated from 1946 to 2012; peak year 1974.

Highest rated

Black Caesar (1973)

Midcredits 61st

Most popular right now

It's Alive (1974)

Film career

19462012

Peak 1974 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1957Screen debut· Sayonara

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting58 of 61: 57 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thWriting1 of 61: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing3 of 61: 3 only producing, 0 with another role

By decade

1940s1 · acting1950s9 · acting1960s22 · acting1970s13 · 11 acting · 2 crew1980s4 · 4 acting · 1 crew1990s7 · acting2000s3 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do William Wellman Jr.'s films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 27th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 44 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 44 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor, writer

The Prodigal Planet (1983)

93rd percentile spread · 47% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sergeant Rutledge (1960)

Midcredits 92nd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 45/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 60, detractors 30. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is William Wellman Jr.'s work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 72 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 46 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does William Wellman Jr. work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Wellman Jr.'s MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Larry Cohen shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers