William Stowell
William Stowell (March 13, 1885 – November 24, 1919) was an American silent film actor. A handsome actor with matinee idol good looks, Stowell was signed into film in 1909 with the Independent Moving Pictures Company, better known simply as IMP (forerunner of Universal Studios), and debuted by starring in the popular hit The Cowboy Millionaire (1909), also starring Tom Mix. Between 1909 and 1919 Stowell starred in 119 silent films, often playing in over 10 films a year.
William Stowell

M P Publishing · Motion picture classic, Volumes 3-4 1915 · Public domain
- Name
- William Stowell
- Born
- 13 March 1885
- Birthplace
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Died
- 24 November 1919
- Place of death
- Belgian Congo
- Occupation
- Actor
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
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William Stowell (March 13, 1885 – November 24, 1919) was an American silent film actor. A handsome actor with matinee idol good looks, Stowell was signed into film in 1909 with the Independent Moving Pictures Company, better known simply as IMP (forerunner of Universal Studios), and debuted by starring in the popular hit The Cowboy Millionaire (1909), also starring Tom Mix. Between 1909 and 1919 Stowell starred in 119 silent films, often playing in over 10 films a year.
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William Stowell (1885–1919) was an actor, of American nationality. The actor was born in Boston and died in Lubumbashi. Languages used include English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 01 October 2026
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Biography
Biography
In 1915 he starred in The Great Question alongside actors such as Harold Lockwood with American Studios. In 1916 he starred in The Love Hermit portraying Jack Hillman, and began appearing in a series of Universal features that paired him with Lon Chaney and Dorothy Phillips. Stowell's early death brought the series of adventures to a close. In 1918 he co-starred with Dorothy Phillips and Erich Von Stroheim in The Heart of Humanity. In 1919 Universal sent Stowell to the Belgian Congo to scout for filming locations. While en route to Elizabethville Stowell was riding in the caboose car of his train. An out-of-control locomotive engine from another train slammed into Stowell's car, killing him instantly. [insufficient reference, update needed]

Release flier for THE FIRE COP, 1912
Chicago: Selig Polyscope Co., Publisher · Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences [1]

Release flier for A HEART IN RAGS, 1912
Chicago: Selig Polyscope Co., Publisher · Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences [1]
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — William Stowell • Born — 13 March 1885 • Birthplace — Boston, Massachusetts • Died — 24 November 1919 • Place of death — Belgian Congo • Occupation — Actor
Selected filmography
Selected filmography
• The Cowboy Millionaire (1909) • Brown of Harvard (1911) • The Ex-Convict's Plunge (1913) • The Buzzard's Shadow (1915) • The Great Question (1915) • In the Line of Duty (1915) • The Love Hermit (1916) • The Other Side of the Door (1916) • Triumph (1917) • Pay Me! (1917) • Fighting Mad (1917) • Bondage (1917) • The Rescue (1917) • Fires of Rebellion (1917) • A Doll's House (1917) • The Flashlight (1917) • The Girl in the Checkered Coat (1917) • Hell Morgan's Girl (1917) • The Piper's Price (1917) • The Talk of the Town (1918) • Broadway Love (1918) • The Grand Passion (1918) • The Man in the Moonlight (1919) • Destiny (1919) • When a Girl Loves (1919)
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1885
William Stowell born at Boston.
1919
William Stowell died at Lubumbashi.
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Boston.
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Lubumbashi.
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