Chill Wills

Chill Wills was an American actor and singer, born on July 18, 1902, in Seagoville, Texas, and passed away on December 15, 1978. He began his career as a singer with the Avalon Boys quartet and transitioned into acting in the 1930s. His distinctive deep voice and folksy demeanor made him a popular character actor, often cast in Westerns. Notable films include "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944), where he lent his voice to the character of the singing Grandpa Prophater, "Giant" (1956) starring alongside Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor, and his memorable role as Beekeeper in "The Alamo" (1960), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Wills also voiced Francis the Talking Mule in a series of popular films in the 1950s. His career spanned five decades, leaving a lasting impact on both film and television.