William Bakewell

Biography

William Bakewell, born on May 2, 1908, and passing away on April 15, 1993, was an accomplished American actor, fondly remembered as one of the leading juvenile stars of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Known affectionately as Billy Bakewell, he received his education at the prestigious Harvard Military School in Los Angeles.

Bakewell commenced his cinematic journey as an extra in the silent film Fighting Blood (1924), eventually amassing an impressive filmography of around 170 movies and television shows. His career peaked in the early 1930s, most notably through his portrayal of the German soldier Albert Kropp in the iconic All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and as Rodney Jordan, the brother of Joan Crawford's character, in Dance, Fools, Dance (1931). He also featured in the hit musical Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929).

In 1933, Bakewell played a pivotal role in establishing the Screen Actors Guild, earning membership number 44 among its first fifty members. Although he never regained his earlier fame after the Great Depression, he continued to appear in various films, including a memorable cameo as a mounted soldier in Gone with the Wind (1939).

During World War II, he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, contributing to the Special Service Division. Post-war, he starred in the Columbia serial Hop Harrigan (1946) and gained recognition in Disney's beloved Davy Crockett series (1954-1955). The 1960s saw him guest star in numerous sitcoms, leaving a lasting legacy in television. Bakewell dedicated four decades to the Motion Picture and Television Fund before his death from leukemia at the age of 84.