William Hopper

Born January 26, 1915, William Hopper was an American actor best known for his role as private detective Paul Drake on the iconic legal drama "Perry Mason" (CBS, 1957-1966). The son of Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper, he started his career in the 1930s with small roles in films like "Public Wedding" (1937) and "Stagecoach" (1939).

After serving in World War II, Hopper returned to acting and gained recognition for roles in "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) and "20 Million Miles to Earth" (1957). His portrayal of Paul Drake on Perry Mason made him a television favorite during the late 1950s and 1960s.

William Hopper passed away on March 6, 1970, at the age of 55.