It's a Wonderful Life1946
As Charlie (uncredited)
TMDb 8.3 / 10
Charles Cahill Wilson
Born
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).
Filmography (172)
It Happened One Night1934
As Joe Gordon
TMDb 7.8 / 10
Scarlet Street1945
As Watchman (uncredited)
TMDb 7.6 / 10
You Only Live Once1937
As Police Inspector (uncredited)
TMDb 7.1 / 10
This Gun for Hire1942
As Police Captain
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936
As County Hospital Guard (uncredited)
TMDb 7.5 / 10
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty1947
As Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
TMDb 6.8 / 10
They Drive by Night1940
As Mike Williams (uncredited)
TMDb 6.9 / 10
Angels with Dirty Faces1938
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Gold Diggers of 19331933
As Deputy (uncredited)
TMDb 7.2 / 10
Meet John Doe1941
As Charlie Dawson
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Batman1943
As Captain Arnold
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Invisible Stripes1939
As Arresting Officer (uncredited)
TMDb 6.2 / 10
The Roaring Twenties1939
As Policeman (uncredited)
TMDb 7.5 / 10
The Return of Doctor X1939
As Det. Kincaid
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Satan Met a Lady1936
As Detective Pollock
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Knute Rockne All American1940
As Gambler (uncredited)
TMDb 6.2 / 10
The Mayor of Hell1933
As Wilson (uncredited)
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Gentleman Jim1942
As Gurney (uncredited)
TMDb 7.2 / 10
The Face Behind the Mask1941
As Chief O'Brien
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Rose of Washington Square1939
As Mike Cavanaugh
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Fog Over Frisco1934
As Detective Sergeant O'Hagen
TMDb 6.4 / 10
Out of the Fog1941
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Road to Utopia1946
As Official Policeman (uncredited)
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Show Boat1936
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Broadway Melody of 19381937
As Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Rings on Her Fingers1942
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Big Brown Eyes1936
As Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.3 / 10
The Officer and the Lady1941
As Police Captain Hart
TMDb 8.0 / 10
The Kennel Murder Case1933
As Detective Hennessy (uncredited)
TMDb 6.1 / 10
Mary Stevens, M.D.1933
As Walter Rising
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Smashing the Money Ring1939
As Capt. Kilrane
TMDb 5.8 / 10
The Gilded Lily1935
As Managing Editor
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Lady with Red Hair1940
As George Martin (uncredited)
TMDb 6.9 / 10
Week-End at the Waldorf1945
As Hi Johns
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Two O'Clock Courage1945
As Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Sally, Irene and Mary1938
As Covered Wagon Cafe Manager
TMDb 6.8 / 10
City for Conquest1940
As Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
TMDb 6.9 / 10
He Married His Wife1940
As Warden
TMDb 5.6 / 10
The Great O'Malley1937
As Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)
TMDb 6.9 / 10
Murder in the Fleet1935
As Commander Brown (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.6 / 10
The Case of the Curious Bride1935
As Ferry Captain (uncredited)
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Here Is My Heart1934
As Captain Dodge (uncredited)
TMDb 7.3 / 10
The Spider's Web1938
As Chase
TMDb 6.5 / 10
36 Hours to Kill1936
As F.B.I. Chief
TMDb 6.1 / 10
The Case of the Stuttering Bishop1937
As Hamilton Burger
TMDb 7.2 / 10
The 9th Guest1934
As Burke (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Here I Am a Stranger1939
As Managing Editor
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Daughter of Shanghai1937
As Schwartz (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Strike Me Pink1936
As Hardie
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen1934
As Chief of Police
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Life Begins in College1937
As Tom Burke
TMDb 8.0 / 10
A Gun in His Hand1945
As Chief of Police (uncredited)
TMDb 6.1 / 10
The Dragon Murder Case1934
As Det. Hennessey
TMDb 5.9 / 10
Female1933
As Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Sandy Is a Lady1940
As Sergeant
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Men of the Hour1935
As Harper
TMDb 8.0 / 10
The St. Louis Kid1934
As Mr. Harris
TMDb 6.3 / 10
The House of Fear1939
As Police Chief
TMDb 7.7 / 10
Crime of the Century1946
As Police Lieutenant
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Murder in the Clouds1934
As Lackey
TMDb 5.1 / 10
Public Deb No. 11940
As Sergeant
TMDb 4.9 / 10
Elmer, the Great1933
As Mr. Wade (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 5.1 / 10
The Nitwits1935
As Police Captain Jennings
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Blonde for a Day1946
As Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 5.8 / 10
I Believed in You1934
As Magistrate
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Great Hotel Murder1935
As Anthony Wilson
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Tin Pan Alley1940
As Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Broadway Limited1941
As Detective (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Blondie Goes to College1942
As Police Sergeant
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Shadows of Sing Sing1933
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Murder with Pictures1936
As Assistant Editor (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Men of the Night1934
As Benson
TMDb 4.5 / 10
One Mile from Heaven1937
As Fletcher
TMDb 6.6 / 10
That’s My Story1937
As Cummings
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Show Them No Mercy!1935
As Clifford
TMDb 7.5 / 10
The Gentleman from Louisiana1936
As Diamond Jim Brady
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Dr. Broadway1942
As District Attorney McNamara
TMDb 6.0 / 10
College Coach1933
As Charles Hauser
TMDb 4.6 / 10
The Case of the Lucky Legs1935
As Police Officer Ricker
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Hold That Co-ed1938
As Coach Burke
TMDb 6.7 / 10
When Were You Born1938
As Inspector Jim C. Gregg
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Millionaires in Prison1940
As R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)
TMDb 6.1 / 10
Larceny in Her Heart1946
As Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Crime by Night1944
As District Attorney Hyatt
TMDb 6.4 / 10
Car 991935
As Trooper Captain Ryan
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Affairs of a Gentleman1934
As Inspector Quillan
TMDb 4.0 / 10
Night Key1937
As Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Passkey to Danger1946
As Police Sergeant
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Dressed to Kill1941
As Newspaper Editor
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Embarrassing Moments1934
As Attorney
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Man Who Returned to Life1942
As Inspector Mensil
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Silver Spurs1943
As Mr. Hawkins
TMDb 4.8 / 10
The Adventurous Blonde1937
As Mortimer Gray
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Gateway1938
As Inspector
TMDb 7.4 / 10
Prison Farm1938
As Reardon
TMDb 6.8 / 10
Find the Witness1937
As Charley Blair (uncredited)
TMDb 7.0 / 10
They Wanted to Marry1937
As Clark
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Panic on the Air1936
As Fitzgerald
TMDb 5.8 / 10
The Missing Juror1944
As Mac Ellis (uncredited)
TMDb 6.3 / 10
We're Only Human1935
As Editor of The Daily Star
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Mary Burns, Fugitive1935
As G-Man at dancehall
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Mind Your Own Business1936
As Detective
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Havana Widows1933
As Mr. Timberg
TMDb 6.6 / 10
Crime on Their Hands1948
As J.L. Cameron
TMDb 7.1 / 10
The Glass Key1935
As District Attorney Edward J. Farr
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Four Hours to Kill!1935
As Taft
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Big Town Scandal1948
As Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Hard to Handle1933
As Jailer (uncredited)
TMDb 6.9 / 10
Key Witness1947
As Warden (uncredited)
TMDb 4.8 / 10
The Return of Jimmy Valentine1936
As Kelley
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Murder Goes to College1937
As Police Inspector Simpson
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Blazing Across the Pecos1948
As Mayor Ace Brockway
TMDb 5.8 / 10
Waterfront Lady1935
As Jim McFee aka Mac
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Private Detective 621933
As Club Bartender (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Girl in 3131940
As Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police
TMDb 5.6 / 10
Song of Love1929
As Traveling Salesman
TMDb 4.7 / 10
The Magnificent Brute1936
As Murphy
TMDb 6.8 / 10
The Mine with the Iron Door1936
As Pitkins
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Country Doctor1936
As George the Boat Captain (uncredited)
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Earthworm Tractors1936
As H.J. Russell
TMDb 5.4 / 10
The Hell Cat1934
As Graham
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Disgraced!1933
As Thompson, Assistant District Attorney
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Lady Gangster1942
As Detective
TMDb 5.7 / 10
After the Dance1935
As Chief of Police
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Broadway Scandals1929
As Jack
TMDb 6.5 / 10
Name the Woman1934
As Joel Walker
TMDb 9.0 / 10
The Human Side1934
As Furniture Buyer (uncredited)
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Hitch Hike Lady1935
As Mike - a Racketeer
TMDb 7.8 / 10
Gangs of Chicago1940
TMDb 5.8 / 10
The Circus Clown1934
As Sheldon
TMDb 6.7 / 10
The Trans-Atlantic Mystery1932
As Detective Doyle (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
Midnight Court1937
As Police Chief
TMDb 5.1 / 10
Music Is Magic1935
As Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
TMDb 5.3 / 10
Partners in Crime1937
As Inspector Simpson
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Hotel for Women1939
As Albert
TMDb 7.5 / 10
State Police1938
As Captain Halstead
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Commotion on the Ocean1956
As J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
TMDb 5.0 / 10
Charter Pilot1940
As Owen
TMDb 7.7 / 10
Cross Country Cruise1934
As Detective (Uncredited)
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Smart Girl1935
As Morgan (uncredited)
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Secret Code1942
As Desk Sgt. Cullen
TMDb 5.9 / 10
No Marriage Ties1933
As Red Moran, City Desk Editor
TMDb 4.9 / 10
Baby Face Harrington1935
As City Editor (uncredited)
TMDb 5.4 / 10
I'd Give My Life
I'd Give My Life1936
As Warden
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Escape from Crime1942
As C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 5.5 / 10
Federal Fugitives1941
As Bruce Lane
TMDb 6.3 / 10
Down the Stretch1936
As Tex Reardon
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Port of Lost Dreams1934
As Warden
TMDb 7.3 / 10
Woman in Distress1937
As Editor Herbert Claxton
TMDb 8.0 / 10
The Public Menace1935
As First Detective
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Air Hawks1935
As Newspaper editor
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Roaring Timber1937
As Sam Garvin
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Hot News Margie1931
As Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Gas House Kids1946
As Inspector Shannon
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Cowboy Quarterback1939
As Coach Hap Farrell
TMDb 6.7 / 10
Acquitted1929
As Nelson
TMDb 8.0 / 10
Grand Jury1936
As City Editor
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Legion of Terror1936
As Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)
TMDb 7.0 / 10
White Lies1935
As Defense Attorney (uncredited)
TMDb 7.5 / 10
Little Miss Thoroughbred1938
As Becker
TMDb 4.8 / 10
The Night Hawk1938
As Lonigan
TMDb 10.0 / 10
Hey, Rookie1944
As Sam Jonas
TMDb 8.0 / 10
My Sin1931
As Guest in Pool Party
TMDb 5.7 / 10
Fighting Thoroughbreds1939
As Spencer Bogart
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Tenth Avenue Kid1938
As Commissioner
TMDb 7.5 / 10
The Perfect Clue1935
As District Attorney
TMDb 6.0 / 10
Stolen Heaven1931
As Detective
TMDb 7.0 / 10
The Campus Mystery
The Campus Mystery1932
As Detective Reardon
TMDb 7.0 / 10
Insurance1930
As Doctor (uncredited)
TMDb 8.5 / 10
Getting a Ticket1930
As Motorcycle Cop
TMDb 6.2 / 10
Meet Mr. Mischief
Meet Mr. Mischief1947
As Harry's Boss
TMDb 9.0 / 10
Filmography and biography: TMDb