William Windom brought a sense of integrity to his roles whether playing drama or comedy. He is probably best known for his work on the television mystery series “Murder, She Wrote”, but Windom’s work stretches back to the 1940s. After serving as a paratrooper in World War II, Windom took up acting and appeared in many early television series such as “The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse”, “Masterpiece Playhouse”, “Omnibus”, and “Robert Montgomery Presents”. In the 1960s he appeared in “The Twilight Zone” episodes “Five Characters In Search Of An Exit” and “Miniature”. He also appeared in movies: “To Kill A Mockingbird” (1962), “The Americanization Of Emily” (1964), “Brewster McCloud” (1970), “The Mephisto Waltz” (1971), “Fool’s Parade” (1971).
In 1969 Windom starred in the television series “My World And Welcome To It”, based on the works of James Thurber. He received an Emmy award for his role as John Monroe, a cartoonist working for a New Yorker-like magazine. The show was noted for its intellectual content and use of animation, and its central theme of a father/daughter relationship in a season of experimentation featuring the debuts of shows like “Laugh-In” and family-oriented fare such as “The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father” and “Room 222”. Though a hit with critics the series lasted only one season and has an ardent cult following today.
William Windom is survived by his wife of 37 years, Patricia, and his four children.
The cast of “My World and Welcome To It”: Lisa Gerritsen, William Windom, and Joan Hotchkis.
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