1. Life
William Lundigan's life was marked by an early fascination with radio, a brief foray into law, and a long, varied career in Hollywood, interrupted by significant military service during World War II.
1.1. Early Life and Education
William Paul Lundigan was born on June 12, 1914, in Syracuse, New York, where he was also raised. He was the eldest of four sons born to Michael F. Lundigan, who owned a shoe store. This shoe store was located in the same building as a local radio station, WFBL. Young Lundigan became fascinated by radio, and by the age of 16, he was already performing child roles on radio programs and producing radio plays.
After graduating from Nottingham High School, Lundigan pursued a law degree at Syracuse University. To finance his education, he worked as a radio announcer at WFBL. He successfully completed his studies and passed the bar examination, but events soon led him down a different career path in the entertainment industry.
1.2. Early Career
Lundigan's entry into motion pictures came in 1937 when Charles Rogers, a production chief at Universal Pictures, heard his distinctive voice on the radio. Impressed, Rogers arranged a meeting and a screen test for Lundigan, which ultimately led to him signing a contract with the studio.
2. Film Career
William Lundigan's film career was extensive, spanning several decades and involving contracts with major studios like Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and 20th Century Fox, alongside periods of freelancing and military service.
2.1. Universal Pictures
Lundigan made his film debut in 1937 in Armored Car, where he was initially billed as "Larry Parker". However, his name was changed to "William Lundigan" for his second film, West Bound Limited (1937). He quickly moved up the cast list, being billed third in The Lady Fights Back (1937) and then promoted to male lead for That's My Story! (1937).
Despite these early leads, he also appeared in supporting roles in films like The Black Doll (1938) and Reckless Living (1938), though he returned to a male lead position for State Police (1938). He continued to take on support parts in films such as Wives Under Suspicion (1938), directed by James Whale, Danger on the Air (1938), The Missing Guest (1938), and Freshman Year (1938).
In 1939, Lundigan was one of the romantic leads in Three Smart Girls Grow Up. He was then loaned to Warner Bros. for a support part in Dodge City. Back at Universal, he was top-billed in They Asked for It (1939) and served as the leading man for Sigrid Gurie in The Forgotten Woman (1939). His final film at Universal was a supporting role in Legion of Lost Flyers (1939). Reflecting on his time at Universal, Lundigan later stated that "nothing much happened," leading him to leave the studio.
2.2. Warner Bros.
Following his departure from Universal, Lundigan signed with Warner Bros.. During his tenure there, he primarily took on support roles in a series of films, including The Old Maid (1939), The Fighting 69th (1940), 3 Cheers for the Irish (1940), The Man Who Talked Too Much (1940), the short film Young America Flies (1940), The Sea Hawk (1940), another short film Service with the Colors (1940), East of the River (1940), and Santa Fe Trail (1940).
Lundigan later characterized this period as one where he was frequently "turning up as Olivia de Havilland's weak brother," leading to a sense of typecasting and a succession of "quickie" productions. Despite this, Warner Bros. did promote him to lead roles in some "B" films, such as The Case of the Black Parrot (1941) and A Shot in the Dark (1941). He also continued to appear in supporting capacities in films like The Great Mr. Nobody (1941), Highway West (1941), and International Squadron (1941). During this time, he also had a lead role in Sailors on Leave (1941) for Republic Pictures.
2.3. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Lundigan's next move was to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), where he continued to take on supporting roles in films such as The Bugle Sounds (1942) and The Courtship of Andy Hardy (1942). He was subsequently promoted to a lead role in the "B" film Sunday Punch (1942) and secured the second lead in Apache Trail (1942) and Northwest Rangers (1942).
He reprised his role as Jeff Willis from the Andy Hardy series in Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). Lundigan also appeared in supporting roles in Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943) and Salute to the Marines (1943). Republic Pictures again requested his talent, casting him in the lead role for Headin' for God's Country (1943).
2.4. World War II Service
During World War II, William Lundigan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a combat cameraman and was actively involved in significant engagements, including the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. During his service in Okinawa, he sustained injuries. He returned from the war holding the rank of corporal.
2.5. Post-War Career
Upon his return to Hollywood after World War II, William Lundigan began working as a freelancer. He secured supporting roles in several independent films, including The Fabulous Dorseys (1947) and Dishonored Lady (1947). His career began to pick up as he took on leading man roles, such as in Republic's The Inside Story (1948). He was also top-billed in Mystery in Mexico (1948), State Department: File 649 (1949), and Follow Me Quietly (1949).
Seeking new challenges, Lundigan decided to venture into stage acting. He was cast by renowned director John Ford in a revival of the play What Price Glory?.
2.6. 20th Century Fox
William Lundigan's career experienced a significant resurgence when he successfully auditioned for the role of Jeanne Crain's romantic interest in Pinky (1949) at 20th Century Fox. Although John Ford initially directed the film, Elia Kazan later took over. The movie proved to be a major box office success, leading the studio to offer Lundigan a long-term contract.
During his time at 20th Century Fox, he became a prominent leading man, starring opposite notable actresses such as Dorothy McGuire in Mother Didn't Tell Me (1950), June Haver in I'll Get By (1950) and Love Nest (1951), and Susan Hayward in I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951). He also appeared in The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) and Elopement (1951), and took on male lead roles in Down Among the Sheltering Palms (1952) and Serpent of the Nile (1953). The New York Times famously described him as "the male counterpart to the girl next door." His roles during this period also included a significant part in Inferno (1953).
3. Television Career
In the 1950s, William Lundigan began a significant transition to television, appearing in various popular shows of the era such as Lux Video Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse, General Electric Theater, The Ford Television Theatre, and The Star and the Story. He also took on hosting duties for the anthology series Climax! and Shower of Stars.
While his television career flourished, he continued to appear in some low-budget films, including Riders to the Stars (1954), Dangerous Voyage (1954), and The White Orchid (1954), the latter directed by Reginald Le Borg. By this point, most of his work was in television. In addition to acting, Lundigan traveled extensively across the country, engaging in automobile sales, and even made a commercial for the Chrysler turbine engine in 1955.
From September 30, 1959, to September 7, 1960, Lundigan starred as Colonel Edward McCauley in the CBS television series, Men into Space. In 1961, he was cast as Nathaniel Norgate in the episode "Dangerous Crossing" of the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, which was hosted by Stanley Andrews. This particular episode focused on religious settlers who encounter outlaws operating an illegal tollgate.
Lundigan also had a lead role in the science fiction film The Underwater City (1962). He continued to make guest appearances on television series such as The Dick Powell Theatre, Run for Your Life, Medical Center, and Marcus Welby, M.D.. His final film appearance was in The Way West (1967).
4. Radio Appearances
William Lundigan also had a presence in radio dramas and programs throughout his career. His notable radio appearances include:
- 1951: Screen Guild Players in the episode "Apartment for Peggy"
- 1952: Stars in the Air in the episode "Deep Waters"
5. Political Activities
William Lundigan was actively involved in politics, particularly supporting conservative causes. In 1963 and 1964, he joined fellow actors Walter Brennan, Chill Wills, and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. in making appearances on behalf of U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater. Goldwater was the Republican nominee in the campaign against U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Lundigan also pursued a political career himself, waging an unsuccessful campaign for a nominally non-partisan seat on the Los Angeles City Council.
6. Personal Life
William Lundigan was married to Rena Morgan. Together, they had a daughter named Anastasia.
7. Death
William Lundigan died on December 20, 1975, at the age of 61. His death was attributed to apparent heart failure and occurred at the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California.
8. Filmography
William Lundigan's film and television credits include:
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Armored Car | Henry Hutchins | |
| 1937 | West Bound Limited | Dispatcher | |
| 1937 | The Lady Fights Back | Doug McKenzie | |
| 1937 | That's My Story | Howard Field | |
| 1937 | A Girl with Ideas | Herman | Uncredited |
| 1937 | Prescription for Romance | Officer | Uncredited |
| 1938 | The Jury's Secret | Announcer | Uncredited |
| 1938 | The Black Doll | Rex Leland | |
| 1938 | Reckless Living | Stanley Shaw | |
| 1938 | The Crime of Doctor Hallet | Party Guest | Uncredited |
| 1938 | State Police | Pvt. Smith / Bill Clarke | |
| 1938 | Sinners in Paradise | Radio Announcer | Voice, uncredited |
| 1938 | Wives Under Suspicion | Phil | |
| 1938 | Danger on the Air | Dave Chapman | |
| 1938 | Letter of Introduction | Minor Role | Uncredited |
| 1938 | The Missing Guest | Larry Dearden | |
| 1938 | Freshman Year | Bob Potter | |
| 1939 | Three Smart Girls Grow Up | Richard Watkins | |
| 1939 | Dodge City | Lee Irving | |
| 1939 | They Asked for It | Steve Lewis | |
| 1939 | The Forgotten Woman | Terence Kennedy | |
| 1939 | The Old Maid | Lanning Halsey | |
| 1939 | Legion of Lost Flyers | Ralph Perry | |
| 1940 | The Fighting 69th | Timmy Wynn | |
| 1940 | Three Cheers for the Irish | Michael Flaherty | |
| 1940 | The Man Who Talked Too Much | John L. Forbes | |
| 1940 | Young America Flies | Bill Brown | Short film |
| 1940 | The Sea Hawk | Danny Logan | |
| 1940 | Service with the Colors | Thomas Stanton | Short film |
| 1940 | East of the River | Nicholas Antonio 'Nick' Lorenzo | |
| 1940 | Santa Fe Trail | Bob Holliday | |
| 1941 | The Case of the Black Parrot | Jim Moore | |
| 1941 | The Great Mr. Nobody | Richard Amesworth | |
| 1941 | A Shot in the Dark | Peter Kennedy | |
| 1941 | Highway West | Dave Warren | |
| 1941 | International Squadron | Lt. Rog Wilkins | |
| 1941 | Sailors on Leave | Chuck Stephens | |
| 1942 | The Bugle Sounds | Joe 'Joey' Hanson | |
| 1942 | The Courtship of Andy Hardy | Jeff Willis | |
| 1942 | Sunday Punch | Ken Burke | |
| 1942 | Apache Trail | Tom Folliard | |
| 1942 | Northwest Rangers | James Kevin Gardiner | |
| 1942 | Andy Hardy's Double Life | Jeff Willis | |
| 1943 | Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case | Alvin F. Peterson | |
| 1943 | Salute to the Marines | Rufus Cleveland | |
| 1943 | Headin' for God's Country | Michael Banyan | |
| 1947 | The Fabulous Dorseys | Bob Burton | |
| 1947 | Dishonored Lady | Jack Garet | |
| 1948 | The Inside Story | Waldo 'Bill' Williams | |
| 1948 | Mystery in Mexico | Steve Hastings | |
| 1949 | State Department: File 649 | Ken Seely | |
| 1949 | Follow Me Quietly | Police Lt. Harry Grant | |
| 1949 | Pinky | Dr. Thomas Adams | |
| 1950 | Mother Didn't Tell Me | Dr. William Wright | |
| 1950 | I'll Get By | William Spencer | |
| 1951 | I'd Climb the Highest Mountain | Rev. William Asbury Thompson | |
| 1951 | The House on Telegraph Hill | Major Marc Bennett | |
| 1951 | Love Nest | Jim Scott | |
| 1951 | Elopement | Matt Reagan | |
| 1953 | Down Among the Sheltering Palms | Capt. W.W. 'Bill' Willoby | |
| 1953 | Serpent of the Nile | Lucilius | |
| 1953 | Lux Video Theatre | Jim | TV Series |
| 1953 | Inferno | Joseph Duncan | |
| 1953-1954 | Ford Television Theatre | Nels Wolcott / Bart Sayer | TV Series |
| 1954 | Riders to the Stars | Dr. Richard Stanton | |
| 1954 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | Jack Fuller | TV Series |
| 1954 | General Electric Theater | Charlie | TV Series |
| 1954 | Dangerous Voyage | Peter Duncan | |
| 1954 | Shower of Stars | Host | TV Series |
| 1954 | The White Orchid | Robert Burton | |
| 1954-1958 | Climax! | Himself - Host | TV Series |
| 1955 | Fireside Theatre | Sam Weston | TV Series |
| 1955 | The Star and the Story | Edward Mansell | TV Series |
| 1955 | Science Fiction Theatre | Maj. Fred Gunderman | TV Series |
| 1958 | Playhouse 90 | Ben Gammon | TV Series |
| 1958 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | David Pierce | TV Series |
| 1959-1960 | Men Into Space | Col. Edward McCauley | TV Series |
| 1961 | Death Valley Days | Nathaniel Norgate | TV Series |
| 1962 | The Underwater City | Bob Gage | |
| 1963 | The Dick Powell Theatre | Frank Jeffers | TV Series |
| 1966 | Run for Your Life | David Phillips | TV Series |
| 1967 | The Way West | Michael Moynihan | |
| 1968 | Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows | Mr. Clancy | Uncredited |
| 1971 | Medical Center | Willoughby | TV Series |
| 1971 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | Jack Crowley | TV Series (final appearance) |