William Roy was a talented individual with a multifaceted career. As a child film actor, he gained early recognition, appearing in films such as Aloma of the South Seas (1941),Hangmen Also Die! (1943),and The Corn Is Green (1945).
However, Roy's true passion lay in music. He began his professional career as a pianist, accompanist, songwriter, singer, and musical director. He worked with renowned cabaret stars, including Julie Wilson, and created "songbook" shows that honored American theatre composers.
Born in Detroit on May 28, 1928, Roy's talents blossomed early, and he started his professional career at the age of 3, singing on weekly children's radio programs. He then appeared on local radio broadcasts, including "The Lone Ranger" and "The Green Hornet."
Roy received his stage education at the Hollywood Professional School and began working in war-era films under the name "Billy Roy." His film debut was in Aloma of the South Seas (1941),and he went on to appear in Hangmen Also Die! (1943),The Cross of Lorraine (1943),Passage to Marseille (1944),and The Corn Is Green (1945).
As a young teenage pianist and prodigy, Roy hoped to earn a scholarship in the Frank Sinatra/Kathryn Grayson MGM musical It Happened in Brooklyn (1947). His playing was dubbed by young 17-year-old wunderkind André Previn.
Roy's last film role was as Little Hawk in Young Daniel Boone (1950). He then veered away from acting, studying composition with renowned pianists and composers. He began composing and some of his art songs were performed by film opera diva Gladys Swarthout, among others.
Roy wrote the music and lyrics for the short-lived 1953 Broadway show "Maggie" starring Keith Andes and James Broderick. He also contributed music to the popular "New Faces of 1962" revue and wrote the book, lyrics, and music to the short-lived 1966 off-Broadway show "The Penny Friend," based on J.M. Barrie's play "A Kiss for Cinderella."
In addition to his work with Julie Wilson, Roy arranged and directed for other notable nightclub stars, including Rosemary Clooney, Mabel Mercer, Bobby Short, Blossom Dearie, and Carol Lawrence. He recorded his own albums, including "When I Sing Alone."
Roy's later work included music and lyrics for the musical "Moving On," which toured Ft. Lauderdale and San Francisco. He also appeared in the sitcom "Love, Sidney" starring Tony Randall and had supporting roles in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of "A Backers Audition" and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's production of "Gunmetal Blues."
Roy suffered multiple strokes toward the end of his life and died not long after at the age of 75 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was survived by his companion, musician Wayne Hosford.
