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William Hopper

April 26, 2024

For other people named William Hopper, see William Hopper (disambiguation).

William DeWolf Hopper Jr. (January 26, 1915 – March 6, 1970) was an American stage, film, and television actor. The only child of actor DeWolf Hopper and actress and Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, he appeared in more than 80 feature films in the 1930s and 1940s. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he left acting, but was persuaded by director William Wellman in the 1950s to resume his film career. He’s perhaps best known for his portrayal of private detective Paul Drake in the CBS television series Perry Mason.[1]

William Hopper
Hopper in 1934
Born
William DeWolf Hopper Jr.

(1915-01-26)January 26, 1915
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 1970(1970-03-06) (aged 55)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Resting placeRose Hills Memorial Park
OccupationActor
Years active1916; 1934–1970
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1940, divorced)​
  • Jan Hopper
Children1
Parents

Early life edit

William DeWolf Hopper Jr., was born January 26, 1915, in New York City.[2] He was the only child of actor, singer, comedian, and theatrical producer DeWolf Hopper and his fifth wife, actress Hedda Hopper (born Elda Furry). He had a half-brother, John A. Hopper, from his father's second marriage in the 1880s.[3]

Hopper made his film debut as a baby in his father's 1916 silent movie Sunshine Dad.[4] His mother divorced his father in 1922 and took Hopper to live in Hollywood. Hedda Hopper became a gossip columnist with nearly 30 million readers in newspapers in the U.S., and was a proponent of the Hollywood blacklist [5]

 
Contract players Wolfe Hopper and Gail Patrick in a July 1936 Paramount Pictures fashion photograph; 20 years later, William Hopper was Paul Drake and Gail Patrick Jackson was executive producer of the CBS-TV series Perry Mason
 
Hopper and Raymond Burr in the Perry Mason episode, "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma" (1959)
 
Guest star Bette Davis with Hopper in Perry Mason (1963)

Career edit

1930s–1940s edit

Hopper began his acting career as a teenager. He made his first stage appearance at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, in She Loves Me Not.[6] He worked in summer stock in Ogunquit, Maine.[7][8] He appeared on Broadway in Order Please (1934) and as a member of the ensemble in Katharine Cornell's production of Romeo and Juliet (1934–35).[9][10]

In 1936, Hopper won a contract at Paramount Pictures.[6][11] He was credited in movies as Wolfe Hopper and DeWolf Hopper. In 1936, he appeared in The King Steps Out, and in 1937 he was in Public Wedding, Over the Goal, The Footloose Heiress and in 1938, Mystery House.[4]

Hopper's film roles included Stagecoach (1939), The Return of Dr. X (1939), Over the Goal (1939), Knute Rockne, All American (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942).[4]

Hopper became an actor because his mother expected it of him.[8]: 57  "When I worked at Warner Bros.," Hopper said, "I was so scared I stuttered all the time."[12]

Military service and postwar career edit

Hopper served with the United States Navy during World War II, as a volunteer with the Office of Strategic Services[7][13] and as a member of the newly created Underwater Demolition Team. He received a Bronze Star and several other medals during operations in the Pacific.[14]

For eight years after the war, Hopper became involved in business and sold cars in Hollywood.[14] He combined car sales and acting when opportunities came up during the advent of television.[15]

"I didn't even think about acting much until a friend, director Bill Wellman, asked me to do a part in The High and the Mighty," Hopper recalled.[12]

1950s edit

In 1953, director William Wellman persuaded Hopper to resume his movie career with his 1954 film, The High and the Mighty,[16] opposite Jan Sterling. Before filming began, Hopper challenged Wellman because he suspected his mother had arranged the offer. "When it appeared Wellman was serious, I asked him if he knew whose son I was. He ignored me," Hopper recalled. "I was so lousy, so nervous, I didn't even know where the camera was. But somehow Billy got me through. Afterward, I thanked him. He said, 'Thank me, my foot. After this, you're going to be in every picture I make.' I didn't believe him."[8]: 60  Hopper subsequently appeared in two of Wellman's films, Track of the Cat (1954) and Good-bye, My Lady (1956).[4]

Hopper was cast to star opposite Claire Trevor in the live television drama "No Sad Songs for Me",[8]: 61  broadcast April 14, 1955, on NBC's Lux Video Theatre.[17] He had such stage fright, he initially cancelled: "I swore I'd never act again as long as I lived", Hopper recalled. "Then I thought, what the heck, they can't shoot me, and walked on the set. Something happened then. It was as if someone had surgically removed the nerves."[8]: 61 

At last comfortable on screen, Hopper played the stern and emotionally distant father of Natalie Wood in the James Dean classic Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and the absentee father in The Bad Seed (1956). He starred in the science-fiction films 20 Million Miles to Earth and The Deadly Mantis, released in 1957.[4]

In 1956 Hopper guest-starred again on television during the first season of the Western series Gunsmoke, portraying an outlaw initially supported by townsfolk in an episode titled "Robin Hood".[18] He returned that year as murdering outlaw “Tasker” in S1E38’s “Unknown Grave”. The following year he played a supporting role in the pilot episode of the television series The Restless Gun, which was broadcast as an episode of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars. Some of Hopper's other television guest appearances include The Joseph Cotten Show, Fury, Studio 57, and The Millionaire.

Perry Mason edit

Hopper is best known for his principal role as the private investigator Paul Drake on CBS's courtroom television series Perry Mason (1957–66). He initially tested for the title role, while Raymond Burr read for the role of Mason's courtroom adversary, district attorney Hamilton Burger. Burr was encouraged to lose weight and return to audition for the role of Perry Mason – which he did, successfully.[19] Hopper, too, was called back. Executive producer Gail Patrick Jackson recalled, "When Bill Hopper came in to read for Paul Drake he blurted out, 'You hate my mother.' And that was Hedda Hopper. Well, I disliked what she stood for, but 'hate' is something else — and anyway he was perfect as Drake, and we got him."[20]

Wrote Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill in their chronicle of the television series:[8]: 61 

As Paul Drake, William Hopper was called on to be the most versatile of the principals in the Perry Mason cast. He was not only the careful investigator, the duke-it-out tough guy, the ladies' man, and the hipster, but also the fall guy, the strikeout artist, the "eating machine" and "the big kid." Hopper's Drake alone provided the comic relief for the show. And, despite being a rather late bloomer to the acting field, he played all the parts surprisingly well and believably. His appearances made fair shows good, and good shows better.[8]: 61 

A 1959 episode, "The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma", had Hopper's character on trial for murder.[8]: 65 

Hopper continued to work in summer stock and to make movie appearances during his years on Perry Mason; however, after the series was cancelled in 1966, he declined other television offers. He did, though, make one final film appearance in Myra Breckinridge (1970), which premiered in New York three months after his death.[8]: 66 [21]

Accolades edit

In 1959, Hopper was nominated as Best Supporting Actor (Continuing Character) in a Dramatic Series at the 11th Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance as Paul Drake.[22]

Personal life edit

In 1940, Hopper married actress Jane Gilbert.[8]: 60 [23] They had worked together on the 1939 film Invisible Stripes.[24] The couple had one daughter, Joan.[25][8]: 60 [26][27]

In September 1962, TV Guide magazine reported that Hopper and Gilbert had separated. They later divorced, and Hopper married Jeanette Juanita Ward. They remained together until his death.[28]

Death edit

Hopper entered Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, California,[14] on February 14, 1970, after suffering a stroke. He died of pneumonia three weeks later, on March 6, at age 55.[1] He was buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.[citation needed]

Select theatre credits edit

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1916 Sunshine Dad Baby Credited as William DeWolf Hopper Jr.[4]
1936 The King Steps Out Soldier Offscreen credit[4]
1936 Murder with Pictures Photographer Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1936 The Big Broadcast of 1937 Ship's Officer Uncredited[29]
1936 Easy to Take Monitor room man Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1936 The Accusing Finger Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1936 Beware of Ladies Reporter Uncredited[29]
1937 Larceny on the Air Announcer Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1937 Join the Marines Marine Uncredited[29]
1937 Dick Tracy Dirigible Pilot Uncredited[29]
1937 Public Wedding Tony Burke Male lead, opposite Jane Wyman[4]
1937 Mr. Dodd Takes the Air Second production manager Uncredited[29]
1937 The Footloose Heiress Jack Pierson [4]
1937 Back in Circulation Pete Edington Offscreen credit[4]
1937 Love Is on the Air Eddie Gould [4]
1937 Over the Goal Ken Thomas Male lead, opposite June Travis[4]
1937 The Adventurous Blonde Matt [4]
1938 Daredevil Drivers Neeley bus driver Offscreen credit [4]
1938 Love, Honor and Behave Yale tennis player Offscreen credit [4]
1938 Mystery House Lal Killian [4]
1938 The Patient in Room 18 Grabshot Offscreen credit [4]
1938 Women Are Like That Larraby Offscreen credit [4]
1939 Stagecoach Cavalry Sergeant Offscreen credit[4]
1939 Midnight Flammarions' Party Guest Uncredited
1939 Daughters Courageous Striped-shirted man at beach Offscreen credit[4][29]
1939 The Cowboy Quarterback Handsome Sam Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1939 The Old Maid John Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1939 The Angels Wash Their Faces Photographer Uncredited[29]
1939 Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1939 Dust Be My Destiny Reporter Uncredited
1939 Espionage Agent Student Offscreen credit[4]
1939 On Your Toes Ronald - Peggy's Escort Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1939 Pride of the Blue Grass Joe Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1939 On Dress Parade Soldier Getting Radio Report from H4 Uncredited
1939 The Return of Doctor X Intern Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1939 A Child Is Born Intern Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1939 Invisible Stripes Young Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 The Fighting 69th Private Turner Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1940 Calling Philo Vance Hotel clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Castle on the Hudson Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Virginia City Lieutenant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 'Til We Meet Again Man Uncredited[29]
1940 Tear Gas Squad George Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1940 Flight Angels Lefty Credited as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Brother Orchid Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Gambling on the High Seas Station operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 The Man Who Talked Too Much Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Ladies Must Live Joe Barton Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1940 Money and the Woman J.L. Burns, Bank Depositor Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][29]
1940 No Time for Comedy First-Nighter Uncredited[29]
1940 Knute Rockne, All American Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1940 Always a Bride Man at campaign meeting carrying Michael Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][29]
1940 Lady with Red Hair Lyceum Theater Attendant Uncredited[29]
1940 Santa Fe Trail Officer Scenes deleted; offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][29]
1941 The Case of the Black Parrot Second mate Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Flight from Destiny Travin Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1941 Footsteps in the Dark Police secretary Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Here Comes Happiness Best Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Knockout Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 A Shot in the Dark Jones Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Strange Alibi Desk clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1941 Affectionately Yours Airline attendant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 The Bride Came C.O.D. Keenan's pilot Credited as DeWolf Hopper
1941 Bullets for O'Hara Richard Palmer Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1941 Highway West Frank Carson - Murdered Cashier Uncredited[29]
1941 Manpower Power company telephone operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4][29]
1941 Dive Bomber Pilot Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1941 International Squadron Radio operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Passage from Hong Kong Watson Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 Navy Blues Ensign Walters Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 The Maltese Falcon Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1941 Blues in the Night Billiard Player Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1941 They Died with Their Boots On Lt. Frazier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1941 The Body Disappears Terrence Abbott Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1941 You're in the Army Now Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 All Through the Night Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 Bullet Scars Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
1942 The Male Animal Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 Lady Gangster John Credited as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1942 Murder in the Big House Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 Larceny, Inc. Customer Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 Yankee Doodle Dandy Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
1942 Juke Girl Atlanta Postal Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 Spy Ship Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1942 Escape from Crime Reporter Offscreen credit[4]
1942 Secret Enemies Ensign Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1942 Busses Roar Sailor Offscreen credit[4]
1942 Across the Pacific Orderly Offscreen credit[4]
1942 Desperate Journey Aircraftsman Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1942 You Can't Escape Forever Soldier Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1942 Beyond the Line of Duty University of Texas classmate Short film, uncredited[29]
1942 Gentleman Jim Undetermined Role Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1943 The Hard Way Hotel Desk Clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1943 The Mysterious Doctor Orderly Credited as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1943 Air Force Sergeant Offscreen credit[4]
1943 Truck Busters Trucker Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1943 Action in the North Atlantic Canadian soldier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper[4]
1943 Murder on the Waterfront First sentry Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper[4]
1944 The Last Ride Swank Offscreen credit[4]
1954 The High and the Mighty Roy Offscreen credit as William DeWolf Hopper[4]
1954 Sitting Bull Charles Wentworth Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper[4]
1954 This Is My Love District Attorney Offscreen credit[4]
1954 Track of the Cat Arthur Bridges Offscreen credit[4]
1955 Conquest of Space Dr. George Fenton [4]
1955 Robbers' Roost Robert Bell Offscreen credit[4]
1955 One Desire Mac McBain [4]
1955 Rebel Without a Cause Judy's father [4]
1956 Good-bye, My Lady Walden Grover [4]
1956 The First Texan William B. Travis [4]
1956 The Bad Seed Col. Kenneth Penmark [4]
1957 The Deadly Mantis Dr. Nedrick (Ned) Jackson [4]
1957 20 Million Miles to Earth Col. Bob Calder [4]
1957 Slim Carter Joe Brewster [4]
1970 Myra Breckinridge Judge Frederic D. Cannon Uncredited, Released posthumously[4][30][31]

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1954 Mayor of the Town Girard "Minnie's Job"[29][32]
1955 Lux Video Theatre Brad Scott "No Sad Songs for Me"[17]
1955 Ford Theatre Joe Cramer "The Mumbys"[33]
1955 Lux Video Theatre Host "Perilous Deception"[17]
1955 Warner Brothers Presents … Casablanca Wilson Randall "Labor Camp Escape"[34]
1956 Fury Sam Wilson "The Hobo" (credited as Bill Hopper)[35]
1956 The 20th Century Fox Hour Phil Harland "One Life"[36]
1956 Gunsmoke John Henry Jordan "Robin Hood"[37]
1956 Lux Video Theatre Jim Johanson "The Star"[38]
1956 Celebrity Playhouse "Stagecoach to Paradise"[39]
1956 The Millionaire Capt. Jonathan Carroll "Captain Jonathan Carroll"[40]
1956 Gunsmoke Tasker Sloane "Unmarked Grave"[37]
1956 Lux Video Theatre George "The Top Rung"[41]
1956 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Rick Gordon "Ten Percent"[42]
1956 Matinee Theater "Madame de Treymes"[43]
1956 Studio 57 Smith "The Magic Glass"[44]
1957 Studio 57 Kip "Mr. November"[45]
1957 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Dan Mailer "The Restless Gun" (pilot for TV series)[46]
1957 The Joseph Cotten Show Arnold Bait "The Case of the Jealous Bomber"[47]
1957–1966 Perry Mason Paul Drake 271 episodes[48]

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "William Hopper, Actor, Dies; Detective in 'Perry Mason,' 54". The New York Times. Reuters. March 7, 1970. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Ancestry.com. California, Death Index 1940–1997 [database on-line]. Provo, Utah, U.S.: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2000. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  3. ^ Douglass, Harvey (July 12, 1933). "DeWolf Hopper Calls 6th Wife the Only Perfect One". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz "William Hopper". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  5. ^ Associated Press (February 2, 1966). "Hedda Hopper, Columnist, Dies; Chronicled Gossip of Hollywood". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "De Wolfe Hopper's Son Wins Contract". The Milwaukee Sentinel. April 8, 1936. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Wolters, Larry (January 10, 1960). "Meet Hedda's Son Bill". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kelleher, Brian; Merrill, Diana (1987). The Perry Mason TV show book : the complete story of America's favorite television lawyer. Internet Archive. New York : St. Martin's Press. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-312-00669-3.
  9. ^ a b "Romeo and Juliet". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Order Please". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  11. ^ "Wolfe Hopper Gets a Movie Contract". The Milwaukee Sentinel. March 11, 1936. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Du Brow, Rick (July 11, 1961). "Mason's Sidekick Used to Sell Cars". The Daily Review (UPI).
  13. ^ "William Hopper ("Paul Drake") is dead". Delta Democrat-Times. March 8, 1970.
  14. ^ a b c United Press International (March 7, 1970). "Perry Mason Star Hopper Dead at 55". Oakland Tribune.
  15. ^ Thomas, Bob (June 16, 1962). "Perry Mason's Aide Faces a Dilemma". Oakland Tribune (Associated Press).
  16. ^ "The High and the Mighty". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c "Lux Video Theatre, Season 5". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Robin Hood", season 1 episode 17 (S01E17) of Gunsmoke, originally broadcast February 4, 1956. Full video of "Robin Hood" available for viewing on YouTube. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  19. ^ Galbraith IV, Stuart (April 10, 2008). "Perry Mason — 50th Anniversary Edition". DVD Talk. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  20. ^ Bawden, James (April 29, 2014). . Classic Images. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  21. ^ Myra Breckinridge, cast and crew credits, production details, and release dates; catalog of the American Film Institute (AFI). Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  22. ^ "Awards Search". Emmys. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  23. ^ Associated Press (March 6, 1970). "TV Actor, William Hopper, 55". The Miami News. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  24. ^ "Invisible Stripes". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  25. ^ "U.S. Navy Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor".
  26. ^ Ancestry.com. California Birth Index, 1905–1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, US: Ancestry.com Operations Inc. 2005. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "Modern Screen Goes to a Christening". Modern Screen. 35 (3): 32. August 1947. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  28. ^ "Life With Mother," TV Guide, September 1, 1962.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "William Hopper". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  30. ^ United Press International (March 7, 1970). "William Hopper Dies in Palm Springs at 55". Redlands Daily Facts.
  31. ^ . BFI Film & TV Database. British Film Institute. Archived from the original on June 14, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  32. ^ "Mayor of the Town". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  33. ^ "Ford Theatre". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  34. ^ "Warner Brothers Presents". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  35. ^ "Fury, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  36. ^ "The 20th Century-Fox Hour, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  37. ^ a b "Gunsmoke, Season 1". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  38. ^ "Lux Video Theatre, Season 6". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  39. ^ "Celebrity Playhouse". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  40. ^ "The Millionaire, Season 2". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  41. ^ "Lux Video Theatre, Season 7". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  42. ^ "Jane Wyman Theater". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  43. ^ "Matinee Theater". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "Studio 57, Season 2". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  45. ^ "Studio 57, Season 4". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  46. ^ "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  47. ^ "On Trial: The Joseph Cotten Show". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  48. ^ "Perry Mason". Classic TV Archive. Retrieved May 5, 2015.

External links edit

 
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when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message William DeWolf Hopper Jr January 26 1915 March 6 1970 was an American stage film and television actor The only child of actor DeWolf Hopper and actress and Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper he appeared in more than 80 feature films in the 1930s and 1940s After serving in the United States Navy during World War II he left acting but was persuaded by director William Wellman in the 1950s to resume his film career He s perhaps best known for his portrayal of private detective Paul Drake in the CBS television series Perry Mason 1 William HopperHopper in 1934BornWilliam DeWolf Hopper Jr 1915 01 26 January 26 1915New York City U S DiedMarch 6 1970 1970 03 06 aged 55 Palm Springs California U S Resting placeRose Hills Memorial ParkOccupationActorYears active1916 1934 1970SpousesJane Gilbert m 1940 divorced wbr Jan HopperChildren1ParentsDeWolf Hopper Hedda Hopper Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 1930s 1940s 2 2 Military service and postwar career 2 3 1950s 2 3 1 Perry Mason 3 Accolades 4 Personal life 5 Death 6 Select theatre credits 7 Filmography 7 1 Film 7 2 Television 8 Notes 9 References 10 External linksEarly life editWilliam DeWolf Hopper Jr was born January 26 1915 in New York City 2 He was the only child of actor singer comedian and theatrical producer DeWolf Hopper and his fifth wife actress Hedda Hopper born Elda Furry He had a half brother John A Hopper from his father s second marriage in the 1880s 3 Hopper made his film debut as a baby in his father s 1916 silent movie Sunshine Dad 4 His mother divorced his father in 1922 and took Hopper to live in Hollywood Hedda Hopper became a gossip columnist with nearly 30 million readers in newspapers in the U S and was a proponent of the Hollywood blacklist 5 nbsp Contract players Wolfe Hopper and Gail Patrick in a July 1936 Paramount Pictures fashion photograph 20 years later William Hopper was Paul Drake and Gail Patrick Jackson was executive producer of the CBS TV series Perry Mason nbsp Hopper and Raymond Burr in the Perry Mason episode The Case of Paul Drake s Dilemma 1959 nbsp Guest star Bette Davis with Hopper in Perry Mason 1963 Career edit1930s 1940s edit Hopper began his acting career as a teenager He made his first stage appearance at the Pasadena Community Playhouse in She Loves Me Not 6 He worked in summer stock in Ogunquit Maine 7 8 He appeared on Broadway in Order Please 1934 and as a member of the ensemble in Katharine Cornell s production of Romeo and Juliet 1934 35 9 10 In 1936 Hopper won a contract at Paramount Pictures 6 11 He was credited in movies as Wolfe Hopper and DeWolf Hopper In 1936 he appeared in The King Steps Out and in 1937 he was in Public Wedding Over the Goal The Footloose Heiress and in 1938 Mystery House 4 Hopper s film roles included Stagecoach 1939 The Return of Dr X 1939 Over the Goal 1939 Knute Rockne All American 1940 The Maltese Falcon 1941 and Yankee Doodle Dandy 1942 4 Hopper became an actor because his mother expected it of him 8 57 When I worked at Warner Bros Hopper said I was so scared I stuttered all the time 12 Military service and postwar career edit Hopper served with the United States Navy during World War II as a volunteer with the Office of Strategic Services 7 13 and as a member of the newly created Underwater Demolition Team He received a Bronze Star and several other medals during operations in the Pacific 14 For eight years after the war Hopper became involved in business and sold cars in Hollywood 14 He combined car sales and acting when opportunities came up during the advent of television 15 I didn t even think about acting much until a friend director Bill Wellman asked me to do a part in The High and the Mighty Hopper recalled 12 1950s edit In 1953 director William Wellman persuaded Hopper to resume his movie career with his 1954 film The High and the Mighty 16 opposite Jan Sterling Before filming began Hopper challenged Wellman because he suspected his mother had arranged the offer When it appeared Wellman was serious I asked him if he knew whose son I was He ignored me Hopper recalled I was so lousy so nervous I didn t even know where the camera was But somehow Billy got me through Afterward I thanked him He said Thank me my foot After this you re going to be in every picture I make I didn t believe him 8 60 Hopper subsequently appeared in two of Wellman s films Track of the Cat 1954 and Good bye My Lady 1956 4 Hopper was cast to star opposite Claire Trevor in the live television drama No Sad Songs for Me 8 61 broadcast April 14 1955 on NBC s Lux Video Theatre 17 He had such stage fright he initially cancelled I swore I d never act again as long as I lived Hopper recalled Then I thought what the heck they can t shoot me and walked on the set Something happened then It was as if someone had surgically removed the nerves 8 61 At last comfortable on screen Hopper played the stern and emotionally distant father of Natalie Wood in the James Dean classic Rebel Without a Cause 1955 and the absentee father in The Bad Seed 1956 He starred in the science fiction films 20 Million Miles to Earth and The Deadly Mantis released in 1957 4 In 1956 Hopper guest starred again on television during the first season of the Western series Gunsmoke portraying an outlaw initially supported by townsfolk in an episode titled Robin Hood 18 He returned that year as murdering outlaw Tasker in S1E38 s Unknown Grave The following year he played a supporting role in the pilot episode of the television series The Restless Gun which was broadcast as an episode of Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Some of Hopper s other television guest appearances include The Joseph Cotten Show Fury Studio 57 and The Millionaire Perry Mason edit Hopper is best known for his principal role as the private investigator Paul Drake on CBS s courtroom television series Perry Mason 1957 66 He initially tested for the title role while Raymond Burr read for the role of Mason s courtroom adversary district attorney Hamilton Burger Burr was encouraged to lose weight and return to audition for the role of Perry Mason which he did successfully 19 Hopper too was called back Executive producer Gail Patrick Jackson recalled When Bill Hopper came in to read for Paul Drake he blurted out You hate my mother And that was Hedda Hopper Well I disliked what she stood for but hate is something else and anyway he was perfect as Drake and we got him 20 Wrote Brian Kelleher and Diana Merrill in their chronicle of the television series 8 61 As Paul Drake William Hopper was called on to be the most versatile of the principals in the Perry Mason cast He was not only the careful investigator the duke it out tough guy the ladies man and the hipster but also the fall guy the strikeout artist the eating machine and the big kid Hopper s Drake alone provided the comic relief for the show And despite being a rather late bloomer to the acting field he played all the parts surprisingly well and believably His appearances made fair shows good and good shows better 8 61 A 1959 episode The Case of Paul Drake s Dilemma had Hopper s character on trial for murder 8 65 Hopper continued to work in summer stock and to make movie appearances during his years on Perry Mason however after the series was cancelled in 1966 he declined other television offers He did though make one final film appearance in Myra Breckinridge 1970 which premiered in New York three months after his death 8 66 21 Accolades editIn 1959 Hopper was nominated as Best Supporting Actor Continuing Character in a Dramatic Series at the 11th Primetime Emmy Awards for his performance as Paul Drake 22 Personal life editIn 1940 Hopper married actress Jane Gilbert 8 60 23 They had worked together on the 1939 film Invisible Stripes 24 The couple had one daughter Joan 25 8 60 26 27 In September 1962 TV Guide magazine reported that Hopper and Gilbert had separated They later divorced and Hopper married Jeanette Juanita Ward They remained together until his death 28 Death editHopper entered Desert Hospital in Palm Springs California 14 on February 14 1970 after suffering a stroke He died of pneumonia three weeks later on March 6 at age 55 1 He was buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier California citation needed Select theatre credits edit1934 Order Please Playhouse Theatre New York City as Victor Neilson 10 1934 35 Romeo and Juliet Martin Beck Theatre New York City Ensemble 9 Filmography editFilm edit Year Title Role Notes 1916 Sunshine Dad Baby Credited as William DeWolf Hopper Jr 4 1936 The King Steps Out Soldier Offscreen credit 4 1936 Murder with Pictures Photographer Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1936 The Big Broadcast of 1937 Ship s Officer Uncredited 29 1936 Easy to Take Monitor room man Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1936 The Accusing Finger Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1936 Beware of Ladies Reporter Uncredited 29 1937 Larceny on the Air Announcer Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1937 Join the Marines Marine Uncredited 29 1937 Dick Tracy Dirigible Pilot Uncredited 29 1937 Public Wedding Tony Burke Male lead opposite Jane Wyman 4 1937 Mr Dodd Takes the Air Second production manager Uncredited 29 1937 The Footloose Heiress Jack Pierson 4 1937 Back in Circulation Pete Edington Offscreen credit 4 1937 Love Is on the Air Eddie Gould 4 1937 Over the Goal Ken Thomas Male lead opposite June Travis 4 1937 The Adventurous Blonde Matt 4 1938 Daredevil Drivers Neeley bus driver Offscreen credit 4 1938 Love Honor and Behave Yale tennis player Offscreen credit 4 1938 Mystery House Lal Killian 4 1938 The Patient in Room 18 Grabshot Offscreen credit 4 1938 Women Are Like That Larraby Offscreen credit 4 1939 Stagecoach Cavalry Sergeant Offscreen credit 4 1939 Midnight Flammarions Party Guest Uncredited 1939 Daughters Courageous Striped shirted man at beach Offscreen credit 4 29 1939 The Cowboy Quarterback Handsome Sam Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1939 The Old Maid John Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1939 The Angels Wash Their Faces Photographer Uncredited 29 1939 Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1939 Dust Be My Destiny Reporter Uncredited 1939 Espionage Agent Student Offscreen credit 4 1939 On Your Toes Ronald Peggy s Escort Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1939 Pride of the Blue Grass Joe Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1939 On Dress Parade Soldier Getting Radio Report from H4 Uncredited 1939 The Return of Doctor X Intern Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1939 A Child Is Born Intern Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1939 Invisible Stripes Young Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 The Fighting 69th Private Turner Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1940 Calling Philo Vance Hotel clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Castle on the Hudson Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Virginia City Lieutenant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Til We Meet Again Man Uncredited 29 1940 Tear Gas Squad George Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1940 Flight Angels Lefty Credited as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Brother Orchid Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Gambling on the High Seas Station operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 The Man Who Talked Too Much Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Ladies Must Live Joe Barton Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1940 Money and the Woman J L Burns Bank Depositor Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 29 1940 No Time for Comedy First Nighter Uncredited 29 1940 Knute Rockne All American Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1940 Always a Bride Man at campaign meeting carrying Michael Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 29 1940 Lady with Red Hair Lyceum Theater Attendant Uncredited 29 1940 Santa Fe Trail Officer Scenes deleted offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 29 1941 The Case of the Black Parrot Second mate Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Flight from Destiny Travin Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1941 Footsteps in the Dark Police secretary Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Here Comes Happiness Best Man Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Knockout Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 A Shot in the Dark Jones Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Strange Alibi Desk clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1941 Affectionately Yours Airline attendant Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 The Bride Came C O D Keenan s pilot Credited as DeWolf Hopper 1941 Bullets for O Hara Richard Palmer Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1941 Highway West Frank Carson Murdered Cashier Uncredited 29 1941 Manpower Power company telephone operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 29 1941 Dive Bomber Pilot Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1941 International Squadron Radio operator Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Passage from Hong Kong Watson Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 Navy Blues Ensign Walters Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 The Maltese Falcon Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1941 Blues in the Night Billiard Player Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1941 They Died with Their Boots On Lt Frazier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1941 The Body Disappears Terrence Abbott Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1941 You re in the Army Now Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 All Through the Night Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 Bullet Scars Reporter Offscreen credit 4 1942 The Male Animal Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 Lady Gangster John Credited as DeWolf Hopper 4 1942 Murder in the Big House Reporter Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 Larceny Inc Customer Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 Yankee Doodle Dandy Reporter Offscreen credit 4 1942 Juke Girl Atlanta Postal Clerk Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 Spy Ship Reporter Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1942 Escape from Crime Reporter Offscreen credit 4 1942 Secret Enemies Ensign Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1942 Busses Roar Sailor Offscreen credit 4 1942 Across the Pacific Orderly Offscreen credit 4 1942 Desperate Journey Aircraftsman Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1942 You Can t Escape Forever Soldier Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1942 Beyond the Line of Duty University of Texas classmate Short film uncredited 29 1942 Gentleman Jim Undetermined Role Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1943 The Hard Way Hotel Desk Clerk Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1943 The Mysterious Doctor Orderly Credited as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1943 Air Force Sergeant Offscreen credit 4 1943 Truck Busters Trucker Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1943 Action in the North Atlantic Canadian soldier Offscreen credit as DeWolfe Hopper 4 1943 Murder on the Waterfront First sentry Offscreen credit as DeWolf Hopper 4 1944 The Last Ride Swank Offscreen credit 4 1954 The High and the Mighty Roy Offscreen credit as William DeWolf Hopper 4 1954 Sitting Bull Charles Wentworth Offscreen credit as Bill Hopper 4 1954 This Is My Love District Attorney Offscreen credit 4 1954 Track of the Cat Arthur Bridges Offscreen credit 4 1955 Conquest of Space Dr George Fenton 4 1955 Robbers Roost Robert Bell Offscreen credit 4 1955 One Desire Mac McBain 4 1955 Rebel Without a Cause Judy s father 4 1956 Good bye My Lady Walden Grover 4 1956 The First Texan William B Travis 4 1956 The Bad Seed Col Kenneth Penmark 4 1957 The Deadly Mantis Dr Nedrick Ned Jackson 4 1957 20 Million Miles to Earth Col Bob Calder 4 1957 Slim Carter Joe Brewster 4 1970 Myra Breckinridge Judge Frederic D Cannon Uncredited Released posthumously 4 30 31 Television edit Year Title Role Notes 1954 Mayor of the Town Girard Minnie s Job 29 32 1955 Lux Video Theatre Brad Scott No Sad Songs for Me 17 1955 Ford Theatre Joe Cramer The Mumbys 33 1955 Lux Video Theatre Host Perilous Deception 17 1955 Warner Brothers Presents Casablanca Wilson Randall Labor Camp Escape 34 1956 Fury Sam Wilson The Hobo credited as Bill Hopper 35 1956 The 20th Century Fox Hour Phil Harland One Life 36 1956 Gunsmoke John Henry Jordan Robin Hood 37 1956 Lux Video Theatre Jim Johanson The Star 38 1956 Celebrity Playhouse Stagecoach to Paradise 39 1956 The Millionaire Capt Jonathan Carroll Captain Jonathan Carroll 40 1956 Gunsmoke Tasker Sloane Unmarked Grave 37 1956 Lux Video Theatre George The Top Rung 41 1956 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Rick Gordon Ten Percent 42 1956 Matinee Theater Madame de Treymes 43 1956 Studio 57 Smith The Magic Glass 44 1957 Studio 57 Kip Mr November 45 1957 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Dan Mailer The Restless Gun pilot for TV series 46 1957 The Joseph Cotten Show Arnold Bait The Case of the Jealous Bomber 47 1957 1966 Perry Mason Paul Drake 271 episodes 48 Notes editReferences edit a b William Hopper Actor Dies Detective in Perry Mason 54 The New York Times Reuters March 7 1970 Retrieved May 4 2015 Ancestry com California Death Index 1940 1997 database on line Provo Utah U S Ancestry com Operations Inc 2000 Retrieved May 6 2015 Douglass Harvey July 12 1933 DeWolf Hopper Calls 6th Wife the Only Perfect One Brooklyn Daily Eagle Retrieved May 6 2015 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz William Hopper AFI Catalog of Feature Films American Film Institute Retrieved May 4 2023 Associated Press February 2 1966 Hedda Hopper Columnist Dies Chronicled Gossip of Hollywood The New York Times Retrieved November 5 2017 a b De Wolfe Hopper s Son Wins Contract The Milwaukee Sentinel April 8 1936 Retrieved May 3 2015 a b Wolters Larry January 10 1960 Meet Hedda s Son Bill Chicago Tribune Retrieved May 12 2015 a b c d e f g h i j k Kelleher Brian Merrill Diana 1987 The Perry Mason TV show book the complete story of America s favorite television lawyer Internet Archive New York St Martin s Press p 58 ISBN 978 0 312 00669 3 a b Romeo and Juliet Internet Broadway Database Retrieved May 3 2015 a b Order Please Internet Broadway Database Retrieved May 3 2015 Wolfe Hopper Gets a Movie Contract The Milwaukee Sentinel March 11 1936 Retrieved May 3 2015 a b Du Brow Rick July 11 1961 Mason s Sidekick Used to Sell Cars The Daily Review UPI William Hopper Paul Drake is dead Delta Democrat Times March 8 1970 a b c United Press International March 7 1970 Perry Mason Star Hopper Dead at 55 Oakland Tribune Thomas Bob June 16 1962 Perry Mason s Aide Faces a Dilemma Oakland Tribune Associated Press The High and the Mighty AFI Catalog of Feature Films Retrieved May 6 2015 a b c Lux Video Theatre Season 5 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Robin Hood season 1 episode 17 S01E17 of Gunsmoke originally broadcast February 4 1956 Full video of Robin Hood available for viewing on YouTube Retrieved June 15 2017 Galbraith IV Stuart April 10 2008 Perry Mason 50th Anniversary Edition DVD Talk Retrieved May 6 2015 Bawden James April 29 2014 Dream Factory Time Gail Patrick Classic Images Archived from the original on July 26 2015 Retrieved May 6 2015 Myra Breckinridge cast and crew credits production details and release dates catalog of the American Film Institute AFI Retrieved June 15 2017 Awards Search Emmys Academy of Television Arts amp Sciences Retrieved May 4 2015 Associated Press March 6 1970 TV Actor William Hopper 55 The Miami News Retrieved May 4 2015 Invisible Stripes AFI Catalog of Feature Films Retrieved May 4 2015 U S Navy Veteran Online Memorial TWS Roll of Honor Ancestry com California Birth Index 1905 1995 database on line Provo UT US Ancestry com Operations Inc 2005 Retrieved May 3 2015 Modern Screen Goes to a Christening Modern Screen 35 3 32 August 1947 Retrieved May 4 2015 Life With Mother TV Guide September 1 1962 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q William Hopper Internet Movie Database Retrieved May 4 2015 United Press International March 7 1970 William Hopper Dies in Palm Springs at 55 Redlands Daily Facts William Hopper BFI Film amp TV Database British Film Institute Archived from the original on June 14 2016 Retrieved December 1 2016 Mayor of the Town Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Ford Theatre Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Warner Brothers Presents Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Fury Season 1 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 The 20th Century Fox Hour Season 1 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 a b Gunsmoke Season 1 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Lux Video Theatre Season 6 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Celebrity Playhouse Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 The Millionaire Season 2 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Lux Video Theatre Season 7 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Jane Wyman Theater Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Matinee Theater Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Studio 57 Season 2 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Studio 57 Season 4 Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 On Trial The Joseph Cotten Show Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 Perry Mason Classic TV Archive Retrieved May 5 2015 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to William Hopper William Hopper at Turner Classic Movies William Hopper at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp William Hopper at Find a Grave William Hopper at Aveleyman Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William Hopper amp oldid 1210101835, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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