Bill Edwards

Who was Bill Edwards?

Bill Edwards was an American film/television actor, championship rodeo rider, a multi talented artist and noted SCUBA diver.

Born in New Jersey, Edwards began drawing horses as a child and continued drawing as he grew up on a Wyoming ranch. From this lifestyle Bill was to become a championship rodeo rider. Broken bones brought his riding career to a halt, and the 6-foot-5 Bill Edwards became a model in New York City. An agent brought him to Hollywood in the early 1940s. He was under contract to Paramount Pictures for nearly a decade, then he turned to art.

In addition to Western films, the blonde, blue-eyed Edwards had featured roles in "Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" and "Hail the Conquering Hero" - both released in 1944. From 1957 till 1987, while following his various artistic endeavors, he occasionally did small parts in film and television. Bill had a significant role as General Short's intelligence officier in the 20th Fox WWII classic "Tora! Tora! Tora!" that was released in 1970. However, Edwards is probably best known for his recurring role throughout the 1970s as “Jonathan Kaye" - Steve McGarrett's State Department contact in the long-running TV series Hawaii Five-O.