One of his first films was made with Clarence Badger and Will Rogers in 1919. Will Rogers gave him his lifelong nickname of "Big Boy." He made films in Lone Pine all during his career, a total of 11 we know of at this time. He made one of his last feature appearances in a film in Lone Pine in 1957. Guinn "Big Boy" Williams found his film career, and personal life as well, intertwined with Lone Pine where he made at least eleven films. You might not remember his name but chances are you will recognize his face.

Guinn Williams was born in Decatur, Texas on April 26th. His father, Guinn Sr., was a rancher but entered politics and served in the U.S. Congress for ten years from 1922 to 1932 as a representative for the 13th Texas Congressional District. For a time, Guinn, a burly redhead, was a real cowboy which would come in handy when he began his acting career. He entered the army during the war and earned his stripes as an officer but when his father wanted him to attend West Point, he had other ideas. He even played professional baseball with the Chicago White Sox before he settled into his life long occupation of character actor and star. He had been on the professional rodeo circuit and entered pictures as a stuntman in 1919.

His first role may have been Jubilo, an early Clarence Badger/Will Rogers silent film. It appears he was in another early one of their 15 films made together, Almost a Husband (1919) which no longer survives. The story has always been that when Will saw Guinn who had been doing stunt work under the name Tex Williams, Will remarked "My, you are a big boy," and the name stuck. Clarence Badger directed all these early Will Rogers films, and he, Will and Big Boy remained lifelong friends. Another Badger/ Rogers film that has Big Boy in it is Cupid the Cowpuncher(1920). Badger in a letter states he filmed this movie "in the vicinity of the Lone Pine ranch," but we have not been able to confirm that with any stills.

Big Boy's first starring role was in The Jack Rider (1921) and he signed with Frederick Herbst Productions for six films at $250 a film. He even wrote the stories for some of these films. We have just learned that Big Boy was definitely in Lone Pine in 1926 filming a movie called Whistlin Jack. He had roles in both western and non-western silent films, among them Noah's Ark, Slide Kelly Slide and Brown of Harvard.

Big Boy was married twice first to actress Kathleen Collins and then to Dorothy Patterson who bore him a son Tyler Williams.

In 1932 Williams was host to a party or "round-up" organized by Will Rogers. Clarence Badger in his reminiscences states, "The 'round-up' was held in a gardened area of 'Big Boy' Guinn's Williams' San Fernando Valley ranch; 'Big Boy' being a years-long friend of ours. There was hearty browsing by all upon the barbecued spread and much quaffing of loving cups; the gathering becoming one of never-forgotten camaraderie."

Williams was back in Lone Pine in 1934 as the star of Cowboy Holiday and in 1935 in Danger Trails. It was in 1935 that he was particularly memorable as Jeff the sadistic killer in The Glass Key, not a LP film. As IMDB states, "He went on to star in many cheap horse operas during the mid 1920's, but segued to solid supporting roles in major films.

Williams was in William Wellman's A Star is Born(1937), a film with one Lone Pine locations but he was not here. He appeared in Army Girl(1938) with the famous race with the miniature tank. Again in Lone Pine for Wagons Westward (1940). Williams became a sidekick for several Roy Rogers vehicles, most notably Hands Across the Border playing "Teddy Bear" in that film. The local newspaper mentioned that there was going to be a town dance and that Hollywood stars, working in LP on Hands will be in attendance to help raise money for a worthy cause. That included both Roy Rogers and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams.

Williams returned locally again for Robert Mitchum's first starring role in Nevada (1944). A very busy Lone Pine period followed for Big Boy when he made three films back to back here in 1951-52. They were Man in the Saddle, Springfield Rifle with Gary Cooper and Hangman's Knot with Randolph Scott. His final Lone Pine film was The Hired Gun with Rory Calhoun and recent Festival guest Anne Francis.

What remains one of Guinn Williams most famous characteristics as an actor is the ease with which he could slide from one opposite to another. He was equally effective playing dumb cowhands and vicious heavies.

In a career that spanned from 1919 to 1961 Williams played a lot of different roles. Finally his career ended when he died on June 6, 1962 of uremic poisoning at the age of 63.