Biographie
William Self was born on June 21, 1921, in Dayton, Ohio. He earned a Political Science degree from the University of Chicago in 1943. After a year in advertising, he began his acting career in 1944. Between 1944 and 1952, he appeared in over 30 films, notably playing Cpl. Barnes in Howard Hawks' The Thing from Another World (1951).
Self transitioned to producing in 1952, starting as an Assistant Producer on the TV series China Smith. Later that year, he became Associate Producer of the Schlitz Playhouse on CBS, and in 1953 was promoted to Producer, a role he held for 208 episodes. He also directed four episodes: The Last Out (1955), The Careless Cadet (1955), The Night They Won the Oscar (1956), and The Letter (1956). In 1957, he produced The Frank Sinatra Show on ABC before joining CBS as a program executive, producing the pilot for The Twilight Zone (1959).
In 1958, Self joined 20th Century-Fox Television as Executive Producer. Over 15 years, he advanced to Vice President in Charge of Production for Television, Executive Vice President for Television, President of 20th Century-Fox Television, and finally Vice President of 20th Century-Fox Corp. During his tenure, Fox delivered 44 series to networks, including M*A*S*H (1972), Batman (1966), Peyton Place (1964), Lost in Space (1965), and 12 O'Clock High (1964).
In 1975, Self partnered with Mike Frankovich to form Frankovich/Self Productions, producing two feature films: The Shootist (1976), starring John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, and James Stewart, and From Noon Till Three (1976), starring Charles Bronson. Returning to CBS in 1975 as Vice President Head of the West Coast, he was later named Vice President in Charge of Movies and Miniseries, producing over 250 movies and many miniseries. In 1982, he became President of CBS Theatrical Film Division, overseeing ten films.
Leaving CBS in 1985, Self established Self Productions, Inc. His first project, The Tenth Man (1988), starring Anthony Hopkins, was sponsored by Hallmark Hall of Fame. Later, he partnered with Glenn Close to create Sarah Productions, producing three Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movies: Sarah, Plain and Tall (1991), Skylark (1993), and Sarah, Plain & Tall: Winter's End (1999).
Self married Margaret Flynn in 1941; they remained married until her passing in 2007. They had two children, Edwin and Barbara. He serves as a Trustee of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, the John Tracy Clinic for Deaf Children, and The Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
