William Haines was an American actor who is best known for Show People, Little Annie Rooney, and Are You Listening?. He was born Charles William Haines on January 2, 1900, in Staunton, Virginia, and passed away on December 26, 1973, in Santa Monica, California.
Personal and Family Life
William Haines left home as a teenager and moved to New York City, where he mingled with future Hollywood stars like Cary Grant and designer Orry-Kelly. He had a long-term relationship with Jimmie Shields that lasted 50 years. Despite his success in films, his career faced challenges due to his refusal to conform to MGM’s expectations regarding his personal life.
Career
Haines began his film career during the silent era and quickly became a major box-office draw, often competing with stars like Joan Crawford. However, his career declined in the early 1930s, particularly after a notable clash with MGM chief Louis B. Mayer over Haines’ sexuality and romantic relationship. After leaving MGM, he found success as an interior designer, working on projects for prominent figures and establishments.
Death and Legacy
William Haines died from lung cancer on December 26, 1973. His partner, Jimmie Shields, tragically took his own life just months after Haines’ death. Despite being an early advocate for LGBTQ acceptance in Hollywood, Haines’ contributions and story remain overlooked in many historical accounts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Show People | 1928-11-20 | Billy Boone |
| The Hollywood Revue of 1929 | 1929-11-23 | Self |
| Free and Easy | 1930-03-22 | A Guest |
| West Point | 1928-01-07 | Brice Wayne |
| Little Annie Rooney | 1925-10-18 | Joe Kelly |
| Speedway | 1929-10-07 | Bill Whipple |
| Are You Listening? | 1932-03-21 | Bill Grimes |
| Young and Beautiful | 1934-09-16 | Robert Preston |
| The Marines Are Coming | 1934-11-19 | Lt. William ‘Wild Bill’ Traylor |
| Way Out West | 1930-08-02 | Windy |
| Remote Control | 1930-11-15 | William J. Brennan |
| Just a Gigolo | 1931-06-06 | Robert Brummel |
| Wine of Youth | 1924-09-15 | Hal Martin |
| The Smart Set | 1928-03-24 | Tommy Van Buren |
| Spring Fever | 1927-10-22 | Jack Kelly |
| The Girl Said No | 1930-03-15 | Tom Ward |
| Fast Life | 1932-12-16 | Sandy |
| Tell It to the Marines | 1926-12-23 | Private Skeet Burns |
| The Tower of Lies | 1925-10-10 | August |
| Navy Blues | 1929-12-20 | Jack Kelly |
| New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford | 1931-10-03 | Wallingford |
| Brown of Harvard | 1926-05-02 | Tom Brown |
| Three Weeks | 1924-02-10 | Curate |
| True As Steel | 1924-04-20 | Gilbert Morse |
| Three Wise Fools | 1923-08-19 | Gordon Schuyler |
| Souls for Sale | 1923-04-22 | Pinkey – Assistant Director |
| The Duke Steps Out | 1929-03-19 | Duke |
| Alias Jimmy Valentine | 1928-11-15 | Jimmy Valentine |
| Excess Baggage | 1928-09-28 | Eddie Kane |
| The Stolen Jools | 1931-04-04 | Bill Haines |
| Slide, Kelly, Slide | 1927-03-12 | Jim Kelly |
| 1925 Studio Tour | 1925-04-09 | Self (uncredited) |
| A Little Journey | 1927-01-01 | George Manning |
| A Tailor-Made Man | 1931-03-28 | John Paul Bart |
| Telling the World | 1928-06-30 | Don Davis |
| A Slave of Fashion | 1925-08-23 | Dick Wayne |
| Sally, Irene and Mary | 1925-12-27 | Jimmy Dungan |
| The Midnight Express | 1924-06-01 | Jack Oakes |
| Memory Lane | 1926-02-01 | Joe Field |
| Circe the Enchantress | 1924-10-06 | William Craig |
| Out of the Closet, Off the Screen: The Life of William Haines |
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