William Kerwin

William Kerwin (April 17, 1927 October 27, 1989) was an American actor and filmmaker. He was most well known for his character roles in the films of Herschell Gordon Lewis.

William Kerwin
Born(1927-04-17)April 17, 1927
DiedOctober 27, 1989(1989-10-27) (aged 62)
Other names
  • Thomas Sweetwood
  • Thomas Wood
  • Rooney Kerwin
Spouse(s)
(m. 1952; div. 1958)

(m. 1964; his death 1989)
Children3

Career

Kerwin enjoyed some success on the stage and screen before being discovered by Herschell Gordon Lewis through the promotional short Carving Magic. His first feature film with Lewis was Living Venus, and he went on to star in some of the director’s best known works such as Blood Feast.

In addition to playing principal roles, Kerwin served variously as the assistant director, makeup technician, gaffer, key grip and propman for Lewis’ films.[1] Kerwin was thus often involved in creating the gory practical effects that would become Lewis’ trademark.

Whether working with Lewis or other directors, Kerwin was closely associated with the exploitation film movement. In particular, he was known for work in nudist films and splatter films.

Throughout his career, Kerwin often performed under pseudonyms such as Thomas Wood in order to appear in non-union productions. He was registered with the Screen Actors Guild under the name Willam Kerwin.[2]

Personal life

Kerwin’s first marriage was to actress Hanna Hertelendy from 1952 to 1958. Kerwin had one daughter from his marriage to Hertelendy, costume designer Barbara Kerwin.

In 1964, Kerwin married Connie Mason, who he met while filming Blood Feast. The couple had two daughters, Denise and Kim,and remained married until Kerwin's death in 1989.

Kerwin was the brother of director Harry Kerwin and appeared in several of his films throughout the 1970s including God's Bloody Acre, Barracuda and Tomcats.

All three of Kerwin’s daughters pursued film careers for at least a decade.[3][4][5] Half-sisters Barbara and Kim Kerwin had bit roles in Herschell Gordon Lewis’ The Gruesome Twosome[6] as children; William Kerwin himself did not appear in this movie. Both girls also collaborated with their uncle Harry Kerwin; Barbara had a small role in Sweet Bird of Aquarius while Kim acted in Cheering Section.[7] Denise, William Kerwin’s youngest daughter, is the only of the three to never work with Lewis or Harry Kerwin during her acting career.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesReferences
1959Carving Magic[8]JoeShort promotional film sponsored by Swift & Company.[9]
1961The Long RopeSteve Matthews[10]
1963Blood FeastDet. Pete ThorntonCredited as Thomas Wood[11]
1963Goldilocks and the Three BaresTommy SweetwoodCredited as Tommy Sweetwood[12]
1964Two Thousand Maniacs!Tom WhiteCredited as Thomas Wood[13]
1967A Taste of BloodDr. Hank TysonCredited as Thomas Wood[14]
1968Suburban RouletteMarty ConleyCredited as Thomas Wood
1969Childish ThingsMr. Sullivan[15]
1971Sometimes Aunt Martha Does Dreadful ThingsLead DetectiveCredited as Thomas Wood[16]
1974ImpulseSoldier[17]
1976No Way Back[18]
1977TomcatsDetective Tom GarrettCredited as Thomas Dowling[19]
1978BarracudaSheriff Ben Williams[20]
1981Absence of MaliceWalkerCredited as Rooney Kerwin[21]
1985The Heavenly KidSuburbanerCredited as Rooney Kerwin[22]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesReferences
1958The Adventures of Wild Bill HickockTom5 episodes[23]
1982Romance TheatreJacob5 episodes
1985 Miami Vice Paul 1 episode

References

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