Charles C. Wilson

Actor
BirthdayJul 28, 1894 (54 years old)
DeathdayJan 7, 1948
Place of birthNew York City, New York, USA
GenderMale

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).

Known for

Charlie (uncredited)

Dec 20, 1946

Joe Gordon

Feb 22, 1934

Watchman (uncredited)

Dec 25, 1945

County Hospital Guard (uncredited)

Apr 9, 1936

Charlie Dawson

Mar 14, 1941

Policeman (uncredited)

Oct 28, 1939

Police Inspector (uncredited)

Jan 23, 1937

Police Captain

Apr 24, 1942

Deputy (uncredited)

May 27, 1933

Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)

Sep 1, 1947

Mike Williams (uncredited)

Jul 26, 1940

Captain Arnold

Jul 16, 1943

Gurney (uncredited)

Nov 14, 1942

Det. Kincaid

Nov 23, 1939

Detective Hennessy (uncredited)

Oct 28, 1933

Chief O'Brien

Jan 16, 1941

May 17, 1936

Official Policeman (uncredited)

Feb 27, 1946

Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)

Sep 21, 1940

Jun 14, 1941

Charlie (uncredited)

Dec 20, 1946

Joe Gordon

Feb 22, 1934

Watchman (uncredited)

Dec 25, 1945

County Hospital Guard (uncredited)

Apr 9, 1936

Charlie Dawson

Mar 14, 1941

Policeman (uncredited)

Oct 28, 1939

Acting


Participated in 162 movies, 0 TV series

1956

J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)


1948

J.L. Cameron


1948

Mayor Ace Brockway


1948

Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)


1947

Warden (uncredited)


1947

Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)


1947

Harry's Boss


1946

Charlie (uncredited)


1946

Inspector Shannon


1946

Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)


Movie Tracker

Stay up to date with all your favorite movies and TV shows, create personalized watchlists and discover new experiences.

Copyright © 2025 Movie Tracker. All rights reserved.

Data source for all movies themoviedb.org