William O'Connell (actor)


William O'Connell is an American film and television actor.

Biography

William O'Connell was born in Richmond, Virginia, on August 20, 1933.
O'Connell may be best known for his work with Clint Eastwood, with whom he first appeared in the 1969 musical Paint Your Wagon. In 1972, O'Connell was cast as a nervous barber in Eastwood's second directorial effort, High Plains Drifter, released the following year. In 1976, O'Connell appeared as ferryman Sim Carstairs in The Outlaw Josey Wales, also directed by Eastwood. One of O'Connell's most memorable roles was in the blockbuster hit Every Which Way But Loose and its sequel Any Which Way You Can. He played a member of a comically inept biker gang constantly being outmatched by Eastwood.
In addition to his film career, O'Connell was very active on TV throughout the '60s and '70s, appearing in about 50 different roles on such series such as Star Trek, Rawhide, Petticoat Junction, and Quincy, M.E.

Selected filmography