William Bertram (born William Benjamin Switzer, January 19, 1880 – May 1, 1933) was a Canadian-born actor, director, and producer of films in the United States, working predominantly during the silent era. He performed in 68 motion pictures between 1912 and 1931 and directed 64 films for various studios between 1915 and 1927. Bertram was also an accomplished singer in stage productions.
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Early life
Born in 1880 in Walkerton, Ontario, William Bertram was the oldest of seven children of Mary Porter (née Robinson) and Daniel J. Switzer, a blacksmith. After receiving his early public-school education in Canada, William immigrated with his parents and siblings to the United States in 1890, settling in Chelan, Washington. Later, he became interested in acting, so around 1900 he joined a stock company at the Auditorium Theater in Spokane while working as a hotel porter in the city under the name "W. T. Switzer".
Stage and film career
In its January 29, 1916, issue, the trade magazine Motion Picture News provides a brief biography of Bertram in its semiannual "Studio Directory". With regard to Bertram's acting career, the magazine highlights his specialty for playing "Indian" (Native American) roles in films:For a time [Bertram] was with Harry Bishop's Liberty and Majestic stock companies in San Francisco and Oakland and played with Melbourne, McDowell and Mrs. Leslie Carter. He sang basso parts for comic opera stock companies, and in 1914 was actor and director of his own company...Mr. Bertram did his first motion picture work for Pathé Western in Indian parts during the year of 1912. In 1913 he appeared in Imp subjects and later in Bison. He distinguished himself as a portrayer of Indian characters and became known as one of the greatest Indian actors in pictures.