William Stowell
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- This article is about the silent film actor. For the congressman, merchant and industrialist, see William H.H. Stowell.
William Stowell (13 March 1885, Boston, Massachusetts – 24 November 1919, Belgian Congo), was an American silent film actor who died in a railroad accident in the Belgian Congo in 1919.
A handsome actor with matinee idol good looks, Stowell was signed into film in 1909 with IMP(forerunner of Universal) and starred in the popular hit The Cowboy Millionaire also starring Tom Mix.
Between 1909 and his death in 1919 Stowell starred in 119 silent films, often starring in over 10 films a year.
In 1915 he starred in The Great Question alongside actors such as Harold Lockwood with American Studios.
In 1916 he starred in The Love Hermit portraying Jack Hillman alongside Charlotte Burton and Harry von Meter working with director Jack Prescott.
In 1918 he co-starred with Dorothy Phillips and Erich Von Stroheim in The Heart of Humanity. Stowell played the hero while Von Stroheim was the villain. Phillips the damsel in distress.
In 1919 Universal sent Stowell to the Belgian Congo to scout for filming locations. While enroute to Elizabethville Stowell was riding in the caboose car of his train. An out of control locomotive engine from another train slammed into Stowell's car killing him instantly.
