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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).
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1956
Commotion on the Ocean
Movie J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
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1948
Crime on Their Hands
Movie J.L. Cameron
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1948
Blazing Across the Pecos
Movie Mayor Ace Brockway
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1948
Big Town Scandal
Movie Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
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1947
Key Witness
Movie Warden (uncredited)
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1947
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Movie Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
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1947
Meet Mr. Mischief
Movie Harry's Boss
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1946
It's a Wonderful Life
Movie Charlie (uncredited)
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1946
Gas House Kids
Movie Inspector Shannon
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1946
Blonde for a Day
Movie Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
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1946
Larceny in Her Heart
Movie Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
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1946
Passkey to Danger
Movie Police Sergeant
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1946
Crime of the Century
Movie Police Lieutenant
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1946
Road to Utopia
Movie Official Policeman (uncredited)
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1945
Scarlet Street
Movie Watchman (uncredited)
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1945
Week-End at the Waldorf
Movie Hi Johns
More credits
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1945
A Gun in His Hand
Movie Chief of Police (uncredited)
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1945
Two O'Clock Courage
Movie Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
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1944
The Missing Juror
Movie Mac Ellis (uncredited)
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1944
Crime by Night
Movie District Attorney Hyatt
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1944
Hey, Rookie
Movie Sam Jonas
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1943
Silver Spurs
Movie Mr. Hawkins
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1943
Batman
Movie Captain Arnold
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1942
Gentleman Jim
Movie Gurney (uncredited)
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1942
The Secret Code
Movie Desk Sgt. Cullen
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1942
Escape from Crime
Movie C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
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1942
Dr. Broadway
Movie District Attorney McNamara
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1942
This Gun for Hire
Movie Police Captain
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1942
Lady Gangster
Movie Detective
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1942
Rings on Her Fingers
Movie
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1942
The Man Who Returned to Life
Movie Inspector Mensil
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1942
Blondie Goes to College
Movie Police Sergeant
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1941
The Officer and the Lady
Movie Police Captain Hart
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1941
Dressed to Kill
Movie Newspaper Editor
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1941
Out of the Fog
Movie
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1941
Broadway Limited
Movie Detective (as Charles Wilson)
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1941
Federal Fugitives
Movie Bruce Lane
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1941
Meet John Doe
Movie Charlie Dawson
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1941
The Face Behind the Mask
Movie Chief O'Brien
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1940
Charter Pilot
Movie Owen