Biography

Adam Williams was born on November 26, 1922 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for North by Northwest (1959), The Big Heat (1953) and The Proud and Profane (1956). He was married to Marilee Phelps and Doris Frances Hollingsworth. He died on December 4, 2006 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Veteran "bad guy" actor of 50s film and TV who began his career after decorated WWII military service as a U.S. Navy pilot (Navy Cross). Typed into playing gunslingers, psychos and menacers, particularly after his lead role in Without Warning! (1952) set the pace.

Father of music supervisor Madeleine Smith.

He was born in New York City, to Ethel and Adam Louis Berg. His parents were of German descent.

Probably best-known for his appearance in North by Northwest (1959), playing Valerian, one of the henchmen of criminal mastermind Philip Vandamm James Mason, who was Roger Thornhill Cary Grant's nemesis.