Chill Wills ~ Supporting Actor Nominee 1960

Wills began a career as a usually jovial (but occasionally sinister) character actor, primarily in Westerns. His delightful portrayal of Beekeeper in The Alamo won him the Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but his blatant and embarrassing campaign for the Oscar cost him the award and subjected him to a great deal of humiliation. Not only did he campaign for himself, but Director/Actor/Producer, John Wayne went on a campaign nationwide for the film.

Wills continued to work in film, but not as often, and is remembered as the voice of Francis the Talking Mule, and Uncle Bawley, Elizabeth Taylor’s confidant in Giant.