BIO

Chill Wills was born Theodore Childress Wills in Seagoville, Texas, in 1903.

Wills began his entertainment career as a musician and singer in vaudeville.   In the early 1930s, he headlined the singing group The Avalon Boys.

Wills made his film debut as a background singer in the W.C. Field’s comedy It’s A Gift (1934), at the age of 31.   As part of The Avalon Boys, Wills appeared in several films, including the Laurel and Hardy classic Way Out West (1937).

He went on to become a character actor and, late in his career, was nominated for an Academy Award for Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in The Alamo (1960).

Wills appeared in more than 90 feature films.   His last movie was released in 1977.

In the late 1950s, Wills began appearing in television, primarily in guest roles.   His unique delivery also led to many roles as a narrator and the voice of the cinematic talking mule Francis.

Wills married the dancer Betty Chappelle in 1928.   They raised two children.   She passed away in 1971.   He then married Novadeen Googe in 1973.

Wills died of cancer in Los Angeles, in 1978.   He was 76 years old.

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS

Complete filmography at:

TV SERIES

Frontier Circus

The Rounders