William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director notable for his work in crime, adventure and action genre films, often focusing on aviation themes, a particular passion. He also directed several well-regarded satirical comedies. Beginning his film career as an actor, he went on to direct over 80 films, at times co-credited as producer and consultant. In 1927, Wellman famously directed Wings, which became the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture at the 1st Academy Awards ceremony. He also won the Academy Award for Best Story for his film A Star Is Born.
Early life[]
TBA
World War I[]
TBA
Film career[]
Innovations[]
TBA
Awards[]
TBA
Legacy[]
TBA
Family[]
TBA
Filmography[]
- The Knickerbocker Buckaroo (1919) (Wellman's debut as an actor)
- The Twins of Suffering Creek (1920) (first film as director—uncredited)
- The Man Who Won (1923)
- Second Hand Love (1923)
- Big Dan (1923)
- Cupid's Fireman (1923)
- The Vagabond Trail (1924)
- Not a Drum Was Heard (1924)
- The Circus Cowboy (1924)
- When Husbands Flirt (1925)
- The Boob (1926)
- You Never Know Women (1926)
- The Cat's Pajamas (1926)
- Wings (1927)
- Ladies of the Mob (1928)
- Beggars of Life (1928)
- The Legion of the Condemned (1928)
- Chinatown Nights (1929)
- Woman Trap (1929)
- The Man I Love (1929)
- Young Eagles (1930)
- Dangerous Paradise (1930)
- Maybe It's Love (1930)
- The Public Enemy (1931)
- Other Men's Women (1931)
- Night Nurse (1931)
- The Star Witness (1931)
- Safe in Hell (1931)
- The Hatchet Man (1932)
- So Big! (1932)
- Frisco Jenny (1932)
- The Purchase Price (1932)
- Love Is a Racket (1932)
- The Conquerors (1932)
- Central Airport (1933)
- Midnight Mary (1933)
- Lilly Turner (1933)
- Heroes for Sale (1933)
- Wild Boys of the Road (1933)
- College Coach (1933)
- Viva Villa! (1934) (uncredited)
- The President Vanishes (1934)
- Stingaree (1934)
- Looking for Trouble (1934)
- The Call of the Wild (1935)
- The Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936)
- Small Town Girl (1936)
- Tarzan Escapes (1936) (uncredited)
- A Star Is Born (also Story) (1937)
- Nothing Sacred (1937)
- Men with Wings (1938)
- Beau Geste (1939)
- The Light that Failed (1939)
- Thunder Birds (1942)
- Roxie Hart (1942)
- The Great Man's Lady (1942)
- Lady of Burlesque (1943)
- The Ox-Bow Incident (1943)
- Buffalo Bill (1944)
- This Man's Navy (1945)
- The Story of G.I. Joe (1945)
- Gallant Journey (1946)
- Magic Town (1947)
- The Iron Curtain (1948)
- Yellow Sky (1948)
- Battleground (1949)
- The Happy Years (1950)
- The Next Voice You Hear... (1950)
- Across the Wide Missouri (1951)
- Westward the Women (1951)
- My Man and I (1952)
- Island in the Sky (Director + Narrator (Uncredited)) (1953)
- The High and the Mighty (1954)
- Track of the Cat (1954)
- Ring of Fear (uncredited) (1954)
- Blood Alley (1955)
- Good-bye, My Lady (1956)
- Darby's Rangers (1958)
- Lafayette Escadrille (1958)