William Hopper

He is best remembered for playing private detective Paul Drake in more than 250 episodes of television's Perry Mason and for his role as the father of the Natalie Wood character in Rebel Without a Cause.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, served as a frogman, and received a Bronze Star for bravery and heroic action during operations in the Pacific.

He was discharged when the war ended in 1945, and worked as a car salesman in Hollywood for eight years. Read Less

His television guest appearances included the The Joseph Cotten Show, Gunsmoke, Studio 57, The Millionaire, and Schlitz Playhouse of Stars.

He made two movie appearances during his years on Perry Mason, but retired after the television show was canceled in 1966. He made one final movie appearance as a judge, Frederic D. Cannon, in Gore Vidal's Myra Breckinridge (1970) starring Raquel Welch, John Huston, Farrah Fawcett, Rex Reed, and Mae West.

Hopper is best known for his regular role as the private investigator, Paul Drake, on CBS' courtroom television series, Perry Mason (1957–1966), with Raymond Burr in the title role and Barbara Hale as secretary Della Street. Read Less