Willard Sage

Willard Sage
Publicity Photo of Willard Sage
Born
James Willard Sage

(1922-08-13)August 13, 1922
London, Ontario, Canada
DiedMarch 17, 1974(1974-03-17) (aged 51)
Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1951–1974

James Willard Sage (August 13, 1922 – March 17, 1974) was a Canadian–American film and television actor.

Born in London, Ontario.[1] Sage began his career in 1951, where he appeared in the film The Butler's Night Off, playing the role of a crook. He performed in New York where Sage played a lead role in the stage play Hobson's Choice.[2][3] Sage played the role of the killer "Chester Davitt" in the 1954 film Dragnet.[2][4] He then played the role of "Tom Tattle" in the 1955 film It's a Dog's Life.[1][4] Sage played the role of "Jonathan Tatum" in the 1956 film The Brass Legend.[4]

Sage guest-starred in television programs including Perry Mason, Room 222, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Tales of Wells Fargo, Peter Gunn, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hogan's Heroes, Death Valley Days, Land of the Giants, 12 O'Clock High, The Deputy, Rawhide, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, My Three Sons, The Virginian, Star Trek: The Original Series and Tales of the Texas Rangers. He played the role of "Tom Hodges" in the 1962 film That Touch of Mink.[4] Sage also played the role of "Orson Roark" in the 1963 film For Love or Money.[4] His last credit was from the detective television series Banacek.

Sage died in March 1974 in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 51.[5]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1951 The Butler's Night Off A Crook
1953 Niagara Motorcycle Cop (uncredited) Film noir thriller film
1954 Dragnet Chester Davitt
1955 Blackboard Jungle Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
The Tender Trap Director Comedy film
It's a Dog's Life Tom Tattle
1956 Gaby Train Announcer (voice) (uncredited) Drama film
The Rack Announcer (uncredited)
Somebody Up There Likes Me Captain Earl Woodhope (uncredited)
The Brass Legend Jonathan Tatum
1959 Timbuktu Major Leroux (uncredited)
1960 The Great Imposter Lt. Thornton
1961 Lover Come Back Wallace, Liquor Industry Representative (uncredited)
1962 That Touch of Mink Tom Hodges
1963 For Love or Money Orson Roark
1970 Colossus: the Forbin Project Dr. Blake science fiction thriller film
Scream, Evelyn, Scream! The Drunk
1972 Dirty Little Billy Henry McCarty Western biographical film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Big Story Rolf K. Mills Episode: "Case of the Unhappy Wife"
1954 Stories of the Century Army Officer (uncredited) Episode: "Clay Allison"
1965 Gunsmoke Corly Watts Episode “Chief Joseph"
1968 Star Trek: The Original Series Thann Episode: "The Empath"
1969-1970 Room 222 Mr. Knott
Mr. Ross 		Episode: "El Genio"
Episode: "Funny Money"
1966-1971 The Virginian Charlie Davis
Clete
Barrows 		Episode: "Harvest of Strangers"
Episode: "The Fortress"
Episode: "The Town Killer"
1972 Emergency! Dr. Eccles Episode: "Decision"

References

  1. ^ a b "Mayor Finds Maple Leaf To Fore In Film Capital". The Daily Nugget. North Bay, Ontario, Canada. March 19, 1955. p. 5. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  2. ^ a b "Webb Picks Newcomers". Mirror News. Los Angeles, California. April 26, 1954. p. 17. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Canuck In Hollywood". El Paso Times. El Paso, Texas. June 1, 1954. p. 17. Retrieved March 11, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Closed access icon
  4. ^ a b c d e "Willard Sage". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  5. ^ Doyle, Billy; Slide, Anthony (1999). The Ultimate Directory of Silent and Sound Era Performers: A Necrology of Actors and Actresses. Scarecrow Press. p. 482. ISBN 9780810835474 – via Google Books.