Adam Williams

Actor Adam Williams served in the United States Navy as a pilot during World War II and was awarded the Navy Cross for his service. After he left the military, he went to Hollywood to pursue film acting. In 1951, Williams made his film debut in the comedy "Queen for a Day," which was based on the popular daytime Mutual Broadcasting Company radio program. The following year he starred as a serial killer in "Without Warning!," but he first garnered notice in the noir film "The Big Heat" as car-bomber Larry Gordon. Williams built a reputation in film for his bad guy roles, and worked steadily throughout the '50s. He also began appearing on television shows, on a number of popular series including the westerns "Have Gun - Will Travel," "The Rifleman" and "Bonanza." However, his best-known project is undoubtedly Hitchcock's "North by Northwest," where he pulled double duty as an actor and a pilot. In the film, he plays Valerian, the henchman who falls off of Mount Rushmore. Williams also served as the pilot who chased down Cary Grant in the iconic cornfield scene. Williams retired from acting in the late 1970's, after his final onscreen performance, Jansen, on the adventure series "Sword of Justice." He died from lymphoma at age 84.