Biography: William Windom was born on September 28, 1923 in New York City to Isobel Wells and Paul Windom. He attended Williams College in Massachusetts. He served in the United States Army during World War II. While stationed in Frankfurt, he studied and became involved in drama at the Biarritz American University in France. He then returned to the United States, continuing to train at Fordham University and the American Repertory Theatre. Windom performed on Broadway, in summer stock, and toured. He was married five times, and is survived by his wife, Patricia, and four children -- Rachel, Heather, Hope, and Rebel.

Film/TV Credits: Film credits include: "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Americanization of Emily," "Brewster McCloud," "She's Having a Baby," "Escape From the Planet of the Apes," "Uncle Buck," "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," "Miracle on 34th Street," and "True Crime." Television credits include: "The Farmer's Daughter," "My World and Welcome to It," "Star Trek," "The Twilight Zone," "The Rookies," and "The Streets of San Francisco."

Other Awards: Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series for "My World and Welcome to It" in 1970.

Trivia:
He was named after his great-grandfather -- a Minnesota congressman who also served as secretary of the Treasury under Presidents James A. Garfield and Benjamin Harrison.
He was a tournament chess player.