Biography
William Gargan (1905–1979) was an American film, television and radio actor. Born William Dennis Gargan in Brooklyn, New York, he began his career on stage in the mid-1920s before making his film debut in the early 1930s. He appeared in character roles across dozens of Hollywood productions, often cast in Irish parts as policemen, priests or reporters.
Gargan received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in They Knew What They Wanted (1940). He played Joe Gallagher in The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) and was known for detective roles, including Ellery Queen in several films. His most prominent part was as private detective Martin Kane in the radio and television series Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949–1952). He also starred in the radio series Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator (1951–1955).
Gargan received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 1967. His acting career ended after he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1958; he later worked as an advocate for the American Cancer Society.
