William Austin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
William Austin (12 June 1884 – 15 June 1975) was a British character actor who was born on a sugar plantation in Georgetown in British Guiana (now Guyana). On the death of his father he was brought to England to complete his education. He later filled a business post in Shanghai and on being sent to San Francisco by the company he worked for, he decided to stay in America and take up acting on the stage and later in films. He appeared in many American films and serials between the 1920s and the 1940s, though the vast majority of his roles were small and uncredited. He was the brother of actor Albert Austin. He died in Newport Beach, California.
Of the numerous silent films Austin appeared in, he is best remembered as the sidekick friend of Clara Bow in Bow's best known film It (1927).
Mr. Austin's portrayal in the 1943 Batman serial of Batman's butler Alfred is the iconic portrayal still used in the comics. Previous to being played by Mr. Austin, the character was fat and had no facial hair. Performed by Mr. Austin, the character was thin with a mustache. Shortly after the serial was released, Alfred in the comics was changed to match the look of the serial; this representation of the character has for the most part continued to this day except for the live action films, the Birds of Prey series, and the Deadshot short in Batman: Gotham Knight where he has no moustache.
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Acting
Movie
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
as Inquisitive Stranger
1939
Movie
The Gay Divorcee
as Cyril Glossop
1934
Movie
Batman
as Alfred
1943
Movie
National Velvet
as Reporter (uncredited)
1945
Movie
The Private Life of Henry VIII
as Duke of Cleves
1933
Movie
Imitation of Life
as Englishman at Party (uncredited)
1934
Movie
County Hospital
as Ollie's Hospital Roommate
1932
Movie
It
as Monty Montgomery
1927
Movie
The Return of the Vampire
as Detective Gannett
1943
Movie
Alice in Wonderland
as Gryphon
1933
Movie
Duck Soup
as Lord Tarbotham
1927
Movie
Fig Leaves
as Andre's Assistant
1926
Movie
The Garden Murder Case
as Sneed, Hammle's Butler (Uncredited)
1936
Movie
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu
as Sylvester Wadsworth
1930
Movie
Corsair
as Richard Bentinck
1931
Movie
$1,000 a Minute
as Salesman
1935
Movie
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
as Sylvester Wadsworth
1929
Movie
Charley's Aunt
as Spectator
1941
Movie
The Goose and the Gander
as Arthur Summers
1935
Movie
Paramount on Parade
as Partygoer ('Impulses') (uncredited)
1930
Movie
Live, Love and Learn
as Bob's Butler (uncredited)
1937
Movie
Oil for the Lamps of China
as Clerk in Chase's office
1935
Movie
Alias Mr. Twilight
as Forbes (uncredited)
1946
Movie
Renfrew of the Royal Mounted
as Constable Holly
1937
