My Name Is Bill W.

(Redirected from My Name is Bill W.)

My Name Is Bill W. is a 1989 ABC Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-television drama film directed by Daniel Petrie, starring James Woods, JoBeth Williams and James Garner. William G. Borchert, who wrote the film script for television, based it on the true story of William Griffith Wilson and Robert Holbrook Smith (the men respectively called "Bill W." and "Dr. Bob"), the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. James Woods won an Emmy for his portrayal of Wilson.

My Name Is Bill W.
My Name Is Bill W. video cover
GenreDrama
Written byWilliam G. Borchert
Directed byDaniel Petrie
StarringJames Woods
James Garner
JoBeth Williams
Theme music composerLaurence Rosenthal
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersPeter K. Duchow
James Garner
ProducerDaniel Petrie
Production locationRichmond, Virginia
CinematographyNeil Roach
EditorsPaul Rubell
John Wright
Running time100 minutes
Production companiesWarner Bros. Television
Garner-Duchow Productions
Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseApril 30, 1989 (1989-04-30)

Plot

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The movie details the true story of stockbroker William Griffith Wilson, a World War I veteran whose drinking problem becomes a serious addiction and causes him to lose his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929. Wilson's career and his domestic life are in tatters when he meets Robert Holbrook Smith, also struggling with a drinking problem. The duo founded a support group that became the nucleus for the society Alcoholics Anonymous.

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Actor Role
George Coe Frank Shaw
James Garner Robert Holbrook "Dr. Bob" Smith
Robert Harper Jeremy Partlin
Joe Inscoe Fred
Mark Joy Guy Kolb
Gary Sinise Ebby Thacher
Rick Warner Bill Dotson
Fritz Weaver Dr. Burnham
JoBeth Williams Lois "Lo" Wilson
James Woods William Griffith "Bill W." Wilson
Dalton Grey Mike Davis stockbroker

Awards and nominations

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1990 American Cinema Editors Awards (Eddies)

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1990 American Society of Cinematographers

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  • Nominated – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Pilots: Neil Roach

1990 Directors Guild of America

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  • Nominated – Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials: Daniel Petrie

1989 Emmy Awards

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  • Won – Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie: James Woods
  • Nominated – Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special: April Ferry
  • Nominated – Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: Daniel Petrie
  • Nominated – Outstanding Made For Television Movie: Peter K. Duchow, James Garner, Daniel Petrie
  • Nominated – Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries Or A Movie: Paul Rubell, John Wright
  • Nominated – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie: James Garner
  • Nominated – Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: William G. Borchert

1990 Golden Globe Awards

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See also

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