William Reynolds

William DeClercq Reynolds (né Regnolds; December 9, 1931 – August 24, 2022) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Special Agent Tom Colby in the 1960s television series The F.B.I. and his film and television roles during the 1950s through the 1970s. Early years Reynolds was born in Los Angeles on December 9, 1931, the youngest of three sons. His mother died when he was five years old, and he was sent to boarding schools. He eventually attended Pasadena City College and worked in their radio department. Through his father he was a direct descendant of American Revolution hero Nathaniel Reynolds, his father was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the General Society of Colonial Wars and his mother was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, however, William said "that sort of thing was never as important to me as it was to them," adding "It's kind of neat to know about, but that's as far as that goes for me." His father was descended from Mayflower passengers John Howland and John Billington, his mother was descended from Thomas Hinckley. Though he was of "almost entirely English ancestry" his mother also believed he was partially of Huguenot ancestry, which is why she gave him a French middle name, however, unlike his more famous ancestry, his Huguenot roots could not be confirmed. Film After a talent agent spotted him in minor theatrical roles, Reynolds signed with Universal Studios in 1952 and began appearing in pictures such as Carrie (1952), where he had a prominent role as the son of Laurence Olivier. Reynolds was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, but en route to Korea he stayed in Japan doing radio work. He returned to Universal making horror film Cult of the Cobra (1955). He also appeared in the Douglas Sirk melodramas All That Heaven Allows (1955) and There's Always Tomorrow (1956), as well as in Sirk's comedy Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1953). He often played the son of the leading character, for example of Jane Wyman in All That Heaven Allows, Fred MacMurray in There's Always Tomorrow and Laurence Olivier in Carrie. Television Reynolds became tired of his dull, stereotyped roles in the movies and began his move to television in 1958 when he guest starred in the episode "Rope of Cards" of the Maverick TV series with James Garner. He also served as the lead actor in episodes "Holiday at Hollow Rock" and "The Cure For Johnny Rain".