William Pierson

William Pierson (July 17, 1926 – August 27, 2004) was an American stage, film, and television actor born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He was widely recognized for his distinctive raspy voice, which became a defining characteristic of his performances across multiple decades of work.

Pierson's Broadway career spanned from 1947 to 1966 and included appearances in High Button Shoes, Make Mine Manhattan, and Reuben, Reuben. He originated the role of Marko in the Broadway production of Stalag 17, a performance that drew the attention of director Billy Wilder, who cast him in the same role for the 1953 film adaptation. Pierson also appeared in a national touring company production of The Odd Couple and performed in the Off-Broadway production Smile, Smile, Smile.

Following his transition to Hollywood under Wilder's direction, Pierson built a film career that included Operation Madball and Fun with Dick and Jane (1977). His television work spanned four decades, from the 1950s through the 1980s, and encompassed appearances on Studio One, Kraft Theatre, The Jackie Gleason Show, All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Diff'rent Strokes, and The Facts of Life. He held a recurring role as Dean Travers on the ABC series Three's Company during the 1970s.

Pierson died of respiratory failure on August 27, 2004, in Newton, New Jersey, where he had been residing at the Valley View Care Center due to declining health. He was survived by two brothers, Jefferson Pierson of New Jersey and Howard Pierson of Florida.