William S. Johnstone (1908 – November 1, 1996) was an American radio and screen actor. He is best known for his voice work as the title character on The Shadow for five seasons from 19381943.
Early years William S. Johnstone was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Scottish-born father and a German-born mother. Some newspaper publicity said he was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, and came to the United States at age three. He worked as a newspaper reporter before he became an actor.
Career
Johnstone acted on stage with the Theatre Guild at the beginning of his career, appearing in a number of bit parts. He had supporting roles in 1927 in Fog-Bound and The Manhatters. In 1928, he played the title role in Him, written by E.E. Cummings. Cummings later commented, "William Johnstone made a marvelously attractive unhero ..." He also appeared that year in a lead role in Kate Clugston's These Days.
In 1938, he was selected over 45 other actors to replace Orson Welles as The Shadow on radio. He also starred as Ben Guthrie in the radio version of The Lineup, and became one of the most prolific radio actors of his time, with many supporting roles. He had a memorable role in the ".22 Rifle for Christmas" episode of Dragnet on radio, and reprised it on the television series. In film, he portrayed John Jacob Astor IV in Titanic, and had a supporting role in Down Three Dark Streets. He played Judge James T. Lowell in As The World Turns on television in a long run from 1956 to 1978.
Johnstone's other roles in radio included those shown in the table below. Program Character The Casebook of Gregory Hood Sanderson "Sandy" Taylor Five Star Jones Editor Inspector Mark Sabre Mark Sabre Maudie's Diary Maudie's father Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch Bob Redding The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe Inspector Cramer Pepper Young's Family Sam Young Six-Gun Justice Jim Dance Valiant Lady Jim Barrett The Whistler The Whistler Wilderness Road Simon Weston The Woman from Nowhere Eric Wolfe
He also had supporting roles in Pursuit, Nick Carter, Master Detective, Calamity Jane and Woman from Nowhere.
Personal life Johnstone was married to Georgia Brady Johnstone, a former dancer who became friend and secretary to his The Shadow co-star Agnes Moorehead.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1948 All My Sons Attorney Uncredited1948 The Decision of Christopher Blake President's Aide in Dream Uncredited1948 Enchantment Narrator Voice1950 Military Academy with That Tenth Avenue Gang Col. Jamison 1950 The Magnificent Yankee Lawyer Uncredited1951 Half Angel Minister Uncredited1951 My Favorite Spy Prentice Uncredited1953 Titanic John Jacob Astor 1953 Beneath the 12-Mile Reef Crewman of 'Snapper' Uncredited1954 Riding Shotgun Col. Flynn 1954 Down Three Dark Streets FBI Chief Frank Pace
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