William Harrigan

Harrigan was born in New York City and attended New York Military Academy. Harrigan was the son of actor Edward Harrigan and the grandson of composer David Braham. His sister was Nedda Harrigan, which made him the brother-in-law of director/playwright Joshua Logan. Harrigan's family were one of the oldest acting families known: they had appeared on the stage uninterrupted since 1660.

Harrigan first performed on stage when he was 5 years old, joining his father in a production of Reilly and the 400 at the Garrick Theater.

During World War I, Harrigan was a captain in the 307th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Division. Following his school years, Harrigan acted in New York theaters in plays that included Bought and Paid For and Springtime. He also toured Australia in 1915 as part of a company led by Charles Millward.

Harrigan's Broadway debut was in Old Lavender (1906). He also performed with his father in a touring company of Old Lavender. In 1933 he played detective Charlie Chan in a Broadway adaptation of novel Keeper of the Keys. He created the role of the captain in the Broadway hit Mister Roberts, which his brother-in-law Joshua Logan co-wrote and directed.

His film debut came in 1917. Films in which he appeared included Born Reckless, Cabaret, The Invisible Man, and Nix on Dames. Harrigan performed in vaudeville, including a 1927 performance of Irish ballads at the Palace Theater. In 1929 he was the leading man for the summer stock at Denver's Elitch Theatre.