Will Geer
Acting
Will Geer (March 9, 1902 – April 22, 1978) was an American actor and social activist. His original name was William Aughe Ghere. He is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, The Waltons. Geer made his Broadway debut as Pistol in a 1928 production of Much Ado About Nothing, created the role of Mr. Mister in Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, played Candy in John Steinbeck's theatrical adaptation of his novella Of Mice and Men, and appeared in numerous plays and revues throughout the 1940s. From 1948 to 1951, he appeared in more than a dozen movies, including Winchester '73 (as Wyatt Earp), Broken Arrow, Comanche Territory (all 1950) and Bright Victory (1951). Geer became a member of the Communist Party of the United States in 1934. Geer was also influential in introducing Harry Hay to organizing in the Communist Party. In 1934, Geer and Hay gave support to a labor strike of the port of San Francisco; the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike which lasted 83 days. Though marred by violence, it was an organizing triumph, one that became a model for future union strikes Geer became a reader of the West Coast Communist newspaper People's World. Geer became a dedicated activist, touring government work camps in the 1930s with folk singers like Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie (whom he introduced to the People's World and the Daily Worker; Guthrie would go on to write a column for the latter paper). In 1956, the duo released an album together on Folkways Records, titled Bound for Glory: Songs and Stories of Woody Guthrie. In his biography, fellow organizer and homosexual rights pioneer Harry Hay described Geer's activism and outlined their activities while organizing for the strike. Geer is credited with introducing Guthrie to Pete Seeger at the 'Grapes of Wrath' benefit Geer organized in 1940 for migrant farm workers. Geer acted with the Group Theatre (New York) studying under Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford and Lee Strasberg. Geer also acted in radio, appearing as Mephistopheles (the Devil) in the 1938 and 1944 productions of Norman Corwin's The Plot to Overthrow Christmas. He also acted in the radio soap opera Bright Horizon. Geer was blacklisted in the early 1950s for refusing to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. As a result, Geer appeared in very few films over the next decade. Among them was Salt of the Earth (1954) which was produced, directed, written, and starring blacklisted Hollywood personnel and told the story of a miners' strike in New Mexico from a pro-union standpoint. The film was denounced as "subversive" and faced difficulties in its production and distribution as a consequence.
Woody Guthrie All-Star Tribute Concert 1970
as Narrator
Age 116 (now 76)
In Hollywood's Backyard: Topanga in the 1970s
as Self
Age 114 (now 76)
Mysterious Miracles: World Beyond Death
as Host
Age 102 (now 76)
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
as Self (archive footage)
Age 85 (now 76)
The Night That Panicked America
as Reverend Davis
Age 73 (now 76)
The Manchu Eagle Murder Caper Mystery
as Dr. Simpson
Age 72 (now 76)
Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On
as Len McNeil
Age 71 (now 76)
Who Killed the Mysterious Mr. Foster?
as Simon Anderson
Age 68 (now 76)
The Barefoot Mailman
as Dan Paget - Miami Mayor / Postmaster
Age 49 (now 76)
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
as Village Lamplighter (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 76)
The Bold Ones: The Senator
as Senator Homer Bryant Wydell
Age 68 (now 76)
The Courtship of Eddie's Father
as Harry I. Madison
Age 67 (now 76)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
Age 60 (now 76)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
High Ghere, William Aughe Ghere, Уилл Гир
IMDB
nm0002095