William Hudson (actor)
Encyclopedia
William Woodson Hudson Jr. (January 24, 1925 - April 5, 1974) was an American actor best remembered for the role of Ranger Clark in Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
and the role of Special Agent Mike Andrews in the Emmy Award
nominated spy drama I Led Three Lives
.
. He appeared in a few other movies and TV shows before being cast as Special Agent Mike Andrews in I Led Three Lives
. In 1954, while also still doing I Led Three Lives, Hudson was cast in the television serial
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
as Ranger Clark. After his stint as Clark on Rocky Jones Hudsons parts started to be more in the genres of Science fiction
, Fantasy
, and Monster movies, especially the latter with starring roles in such films as The She Creature
, The Amazing Colossal Man
and, perhaps most famously, as the husband in 1958's cult classic
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
. In 1964 he was cast as the doomed first Captain of the Seaview
, John Phillips, in the pilot episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
. In 1965 he was back on Voyages as a different character in an episode infamous among fans of the series due to its heavy use of archive footage from the pilot episode (specifically a scene with Hudson and Richard Basehart
leaving the Nelson Institute, being chased and attacked by a helicopter and which ended with the death of Hudsons character and the car going off a cliff aflame) giving him the dubious honour of being the only person "killed" on that show twice. In 1966 he was cast as a reporter in the second part of the first Television appearance of Mr. Freeze
in a first season episode of Batman
titled "Rats Like Cheese". From then on he had several small parts in various movies and TV shows, his last part being Mr. Dunn in 1971's How's Your Love Life?.
He died at age 49 on April 5, 1974 in Gilroy, California
from cirrhosis
. He was survived by his older brother, actor John Hudson.
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
and the role of Special Agent Mike Andrews in the Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominated spy drama I Led Three Lives
I Led Three Lives
I Led Three Lives is an American drama series which was syndicated by Ziv Television Programs from October 1, 1953 to January 1, 1956. The series stars Richard Carlson...
.
History
After appearing uncredited in over a dozen movies Hudson got his break in 1951's Hard, Fast and BeautifulHard, Fast and Beautiful
Hard, Fast and Beautiful is a drama film directed by Ida Lupino and starring Claire Trevor..- Plot :The plot revolves around Florence Farley, a tennis prodigy who is torn between fulfilling the dreams of her ambitious mother Millie who has planned her tennis career, or her own dreams of being with...
. He appeared in a few other movies and TV shows before being cast as Special Agent Mike Andrews in I Led Three Lives
I Led Three Lives
I Led Three Lives is an American drama series which was syndicated by Ziv Television Programs from October 1, 1953 to January 1, 1956. The series stars Richard Carlson...
. In 1954, while also still doing I Led Three Lives, Hudson was cast in the television serial
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
as Ranger Clark. After his stint as Clark on Rocky Jones Hudsons parts started to be more in the genres of Science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, Fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
, and Monster movies, especially the latter with starring roles in such films as The She Creature
The She Creature
The She Creature is a 1956 American black-and-white horror film produced by American International Pictures from a script by Lou Rusoff , produced by Alex Gordon and directed by Edward L. Cahn...
, The Amazing Colossal Man
The Amazing Colossal Man
The Amazing Colossal Man is a 1957 black-and-white science fiction film, directed by Bert I. Gordon and starring Glenn Langan. The film revolves around a 60 foot mutant man produced as the result of an atomic accident....
and, perhaps most famously, as the husband in 1958's cult classic
Cult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman is a 1958 American science fiction feature film produced by Bernard Woolner for Allied Artists Pictures. It was directed by Nathan H. Juran from a screenplay by Mark Hanna, and starred Allison Hayes, William Hudson and Yvette Vickers. The original music score was...
. In 1964 he was cast as the doomed first Captain of the Seaview
USOS Seaview
Seaview, a fictitious privately owned nuclear submarine, was the setting for the 1961 motion picture Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, starring Walter Pidgeon, and later for the 1964 – 1968 ABC television series of the same title....
, John Phillips, in the pilot episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is a 1960s American science fiction television series based on the 1961 film of the same name. Both were created by Irwin Allen, which enabled the movie's sets, costumes, props, special effects models, and sometimes footage, to be used in the production of the...
. In 1965 he was back on Voyages as a different character in an episode infamous among fans of the series due to its heavy use of archive footage from the pilot episode (specifically a scene with Hudson and Richard Basehart
Richard Basehart
John Richard Basehart was an American actor. He starred in the 1960s television science fiction drama Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, in the role of Admiral Harriman Nelson.-Career:...
leaving the Nelson Institute, being chased and attacked by a helicopter and which ended with the death of Hudsons character and the car going off a cliff aflame) giving him the dubious honour of being the only person "killed" on that show twice. In 1966 he was cast as a reporter in the second part of the first Television appearance of Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
in a first season episode of Batman
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
titled "Rats Like Cheese". From then on he had several small parts in various movies and TV shows, his last part being Mr. Dunn in 1971's How's Your Love Life?.
He died at age 49 on April 5, 1974 in Gilroy, California
Gilroy, California
Gilroy is the southernmost city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 48,821 at the 2010 census. Gilroy is well-known for its garlic crop and for the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, featuring various garlicky foods, including garlic ice cream. Gilroy also produces...
from cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
. He was survived by his older brother, actor John Hudson.
Partial filmography
- Hard, Fast and BeautifulHard, Fast and BeautifulHard, Fast and Beautiful is a drama film directed by Ida Lupino and starring Claire Trevor..- Plot :The plot revolves around Florence Farley, a tennis prodigy who is torn between fulfilling the dreams of her ambitious mother Millie who has planned her tennis career, or her own dreams of being with...
(1951) .... Interne - I Led Three LivesI Led Three LivesI Led Three Lives is an American drama series which was syndicated by Ziv Television Programs from October 1, 1953 to January 1, 1956. The series stars Richard Carlson...
(TV) (1953–1957) .... Special Agent Mike Andrews - Rocky Jones, Space RangerRocky Jones, Space RangerRocky Jones, Space Ranger is a syndicated science fiction television serial originally broadcast in 1954. The show lasted for only two seasons and, though syndicated sporadically, dropped into obscurity. But because it was recorded on film rather than being broadcast live as were most other TV...
(TV) (1954) .... Ranger Clark - The She CreatureThe She CreatureThe She Creature is a 1956 American black-and-white horror film produced by American International Pictures from a script by Lou Rusoff , produced by Alex Gordon and directed by Edward L. Cahn...
(1956) .... Bob, the ex-fiancé - The Amazing Colossal ManThe Amazing Colossal ManThe Amazing Colossal Man is a 1957 black-and-white science fiction film, directed by Bert I. Gordon and starring Glenn Langan. The film revolves around a 60 foot mutant man produced as the result of an atomic accident....
(1957) .... Dr. Paul Linstrom - Death Valley DaysDeath Valley DaysDeath Valley Days is an American radio and television anthology series featuring true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was broadcast on radio until 1945. It continued from 1952 to 1975 as a syndicated television series...
(3 episodes) (1954–1958) - Mister Roberts (1955) .... Olson
- Air Strike (1955) .... Lt. John Smith
- My Man GodfreyMy Man Godfrey (1957 film)My Man Godfrey is a 1957 comedy film starring June Allyson and David Niven. It is a remake of Gregory La Cava's 1936 screwball comedy of the same name....
(1957) .... Howard - The Man Who Turned to Stone (1957) .... Dr. Jess Rogers
- Attack of the 50 Foot WomanAttack of the 50 Foot WomanAttack of the 50 Foot Woman is a 1958 American science fiction feature film produced by Bernard Woolner for Allied Artists Pictures. It was directed by Nathan H. Juran from a screenplay by Mark Hanna, and starred Allison Hayes, William Hudson and Yvette Vickers. The original music score was...
(1958) .... Harry Archer - Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is a 1960s American science fiction television series based on the 1961 film of the same name. Both were created by Irwin Allen, which enabled the movie's sets, costumes, props, special effects models, and sometimes footage, to be used in the production of the...
(2 episodes) (1964, 1965) - How's Your Love Life? (1971) .... Mr. Dunn