William Collier Sr.
William Collier Sr. (November 12, 1864 – January 13, 1944), born William Morenus, was an American writer, director and actor. Collier ran away from home when only 11 years old to join a touring company run by Eddie Foy and in 1879 he appeared as a juvenile in H.M.S. After a notable stage career, he tried motion pictures, under producer Mack Sennett.
Also recorded as William Collier, Sr. · Willie Collier · William Morenus · William Collier
William Collier Sr.

Studio of Napoleon Sarony · J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs · Public domain
- Name
- William Collier Sr
- Born
- 12 November 1864
- Birthplace
- New York City, U.S.
- Birth Name
- William Morenus
- Died
- 13 January 1944
- Place of death
- Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- Writer, director, actor on stage and screen
- Spouse
- Louise Allen (?–1909) (her death) Paula Marr (1910–?)
- Nationality
- United States
- Honours
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
William Collier Sr. (November 12, 1864 – January 13, 1944), born William Morenus, was an American writer, director and actor. Collier ran away from home when only 11 years old to join a touring company run by Eddie Foy and in 1879 he appeared as a juvenile in H.M.S. After a notable stage career, he tried motion pictures, under producer Mack Sennett.
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Note VALÉORINE
William Collier Sr. (1864–1944) was an American actor, film actor and film director, among other activities. Born in New York City, the actor died in Beverly Hills.
Languages used include English. William Collier Sr. received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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In this article
Biography
Biography
He then went back to the stage for some years but returned to films when the talkies came along. His son recovered and was able to join his father in a production of The Patriot. He "once opened The Patriot, one of his own plays, on December 30. On January 2 he advertised with some degree of truthfulness: 'Second Year in New York.'" • Illustration — Collier with son William Collier Jr. He was married to the actress Louise Allen; she died in 1909 and he married Paula Marr the following year, adopting her son Charles, whom he renamed William Collier Jr. On Broadway he starred as the gambler Gideon Holtz in Rudolf Friml's The Wild Rose at the Martin Beck Theatre in 1926. He was interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

A scene from "Caught in the Rain," which opened June 28, 1908, at the Moore Theater, Seattle. Includes William Collier (center).
Studio of Napoleon Sarony · J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs

A scene from "The Dictator," which opened Jan. 19, 1905, at the Grand Opera House, Seattle. Includes William Collier (third from Left).
Burr McIntosh Studio · J. Willis Sayre Collection of Theatrical Photographs
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — William Collier Sr • Born — 12 November 1864 • Birthplace — New York City, U.S. • Birth Name — William Morenus • Died — 13 January 1944 • Place of death — Beverly Hills, California, U.S. • Burial Place — Forest Lawn Memorial Park • Occupation — Writer, director, actor on stage and screen • Years Active — 1916–1941 • Spouse — Louise Allen (?–1909) (her death) Paula Marr (1910–?) • Children — William Collier Jr.
Partial filmography
Partial filmography
• Never Again (1916, Short) • Better Late Than Never (1916, Short) - The Art Student • The No-Good Guy (1916) - Jimmy Coghlan • The Servant Question (1920) - Mr. Butler • Happy Days (1929) - End Man - Minstrel Show • Harmony at Home (1930) - Joe Haller • Free and Easy (1930) - Himself - Master of Ceremonies at Premiere • High Society Blues (1930) - Horace Divine • She's My Weakness (1930) - David Tuttle • Up the River (1930) - Pop • Seas Beneath (1931) - Mugs O'Flaherty (uncredited) • Mr. Lemon of Orange (1931) - Mr. Blake • 6 Cylinder Love (1931) - Richard Burton • Annabelle's Affairs (1931) - Wickham • The Brat (1931) - Judge Emmett A. O'Flaherty • Stepping Sisters (1932) - Herbert Ramsey • After Tomorrow (1932) - Willie Taylor • The Washington Masquerade (1932) - Babcock • Hot Saturday (1932) - Mr. Brock • Madison Square Garden (1932) - Doc Williams • All of Me (1934) - Jerry Helman • The Crosby Case (1934) - The Detective-Police Sgt. Melody • Cheaters (1934) - K.C. Kelly • A Successful Failure (1934) - Ellery Cushing Uncle Dudley • The Murder Man (1935) - 'Pop' Grey • Annapolis Farewell (1935) - Rumboat Charlie • The Bride Comes Home (1935) - Alfred Desmereau • Love on a Bet (1936) - Uncle Carlton MacCreigh • Give Us This Night (1936) - Priest • Cain and Mabel (1936) - Pop Walters • Valiant Is the Word for Carrie (1936) - Ed Moresby • Josette (1938) - David Brassard Sr. • Thanks for the Memory (1938) - Mr. Platt • Say It in French (1938) - Howland • Persons in Hiding (1939) - Burt Nast • I'm from Missouri (1939) - Smith • Invitation to Happiness (1939) - Mr. Wayne • Television Spy (1939) - James Llewellyn • Disputed Passage (1939) - Dr. William Cunningham • Miracle on Main Street (1939) - Dr. Miles • The Hard-Boiled Canary (1941) - Dr. Joseph E. Maddy (final film role)
Places
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Places
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New York City.
Birth place
Beverly Hills.
Death place
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ellenberger, Allan. Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. 42. 2001. 9780786450190.
- 2.Borrillo, Theodore A. Denver's historic Elitch Theatre : a nostalgic journey (a history of its times). [publisher not identified]. 94–95. 2012. 978-0-9744331-4-1.
- 3.Hay, Peter. Broadway anecdotes. Oxford university press. 198. 1990. 0-19-504620-X.
- 4.J. Brooks Atkinson. Matters of State. The New York Times. 23. October 21, 1926.
- 5.Los Angeles Times. William Collier. Hollywood Star Walk.
References
Citations
References
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Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,928 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- William Churchill deMillePerson
- William ClemensPerson
- William CliffordPerson
- William Collier Jr.Person
- William ConklinPerson
- William Cornysh the YoungerPerson
- William CourtrightPerson
- William CrainPerson
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