Wilhelm was born into a film family, his father Otto Wilhelm Von Hohenzollern being a silent film child actor and second unit man, known as Willie Hon due to its ease of pronunciation. His grandmother, Mary L Shriver, was a script supervisor and not an actress, despite her initial aspirations, as she was a perfectionist and not skilled enough in acting. She did, however, make a brief appearance in the 10 Commandments.
Both his parents played a significant role in his becoming an actor, with Wilhelm receiving a lot of "float-in, float-out" work throughout his career, showcasing the effectiveness of nepotism. He was often referred to as JR, Willie's kid, or Mary's grandkid.
Wilhelm's career began shortly after his birth in 1932, when he was used as a stand-in in a stunt that required a child to be thrown from a wagon in a land rush western. This marked the start of an 80-year-long career in the industry. He is easily recognizable due to his blonde hair and prominent ears, often drawing attention from fans who ask for photos.
Due to the stigma surrounding German names during World War II, the family adopted more Americanized names, as many German families did during that time.
Throughout his career, Wilhelm has appeared in over 1,000 credited and uncredited roles, including acting, singing, and dancing. He also had a second career as a writer and editor, penning editorials for TV stations to maintain their broadcasting licenses.
During the Vietnam War, Wilhelm suffered severe injuries, including burns to his feet, hands, and face, which still affect him when he sweats excessively. He took time to recover and eventually returned to acting.
Wilhelm retired from acting for 20 years to raise his family after his wife and son were killed in an auto accident. He later returned to acting to help his daughter, who had been severely injured in a car accident, run her business. He assisted her in transitioning from behind-the-scenes work to in-front-of-the-camera performances.
In recent years, Wilhelm has created a character called Oldecam, utilizing his acting skills and journalistic training to produce satirical shows based on current headlines. He has also worked on projects with his daughter, including creating scores for her films and playing saxophones alongside her.
Wilhelm's daughter has numerous projects in various stages, with six set to premiere at Cannes this year. He has also started a living documentary, "Memories of a Dinosaur," which aims to recognize the contributions of individuals who worked in the film and television industry before credits became standard practice. This project is particularly important to Wilhelm, as many people who worked behind the camera during the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s were never given credit for their work due to the length and complexity of credits.
Wilhelm has 332 stories ready to be told and is seeking more contributions from those who helped shape the industry. With "Memories of a Dinosaur," he hopes to give these unsung heroes the recognition they deserve.
