William Schallert, the son of Edwin Schallert, a renowned drama editor of the prestigious "Los Angeles Times" and the esteemed dean of West Coast critics, embarked on an acting career in 1942 while pursuing his studies at UCLA. Following his graduation, he became deeply involved with the Circle Theater, eventually acquiring ownership, and made his film debut in the 1947 production of "The Foxes of Harrow".
Subsequently, Schallert became an ubiquitous presence in both movies and television, with a career spanning numerous decades. Furthermore, from 1979 to 1981, he held the esteemed position of president of the Screen Actors Guild, dedicating himself to various SAG projects. Throughout his illustrious career, Schallert never gave serious consideration to retirement, remaining actively engaged in his work until his passing.