William O'Connell (actor)

William O'Connell (May 12, 1929 – January 15, 2024) was an American film and television actor.

O'Connell was born in Los Angeles on May 12, 1929.

He served in the Korean War in the 45th Infantry Division.

In addition to his film career, O'Connell was very active on TV throughout the 1960s and '70s, appearing in about 50 different roles on such series such as Star Trek, Rawhide, Petticoat Junction, and Quincy, M.E.

O'Connell died at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, on January 15, 2024, at the age of 94.

O'Connell worked often with Clint Eastwood, with whom he first appeared in the 1969 musical Paint Your Wagon.

In 1972, O'Connell was cast as a nervous barber in Eastwood's second directorial effort, High Plains Drifter, released the following year.

In 1976, O'Connell appeared as ferryman Sim Carstairs in The Outlaw Josey Wales, also directed by Eastwood.

O'Connell's other roles include portrayals in Every Which Way But Loose and its sequel Any Which Way You Can, where he played a member of a comically inept biker gang constantly being outmatched by Eastwood.