William Wellman (February 29, 1896 - December 9, 1975) was an American movie director.
Wellman was hired in 1927 to direct Wings, a major drama dealing with pilots during World War I that was highlighted by air combat and flight sequences. It was the first film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. Before his career in films, Wellman served in the French Foreign Legion and was a World War I ace pilot.
Films include Magic Town, The Public Enemy, The Story of G.I. Joe, the original version of A Star Is Born, and Nothing Sacred. He was the great-great-great grandson of Francis Lewis of New York, one of the signaturies to the Declaration of Independence.
Wellman died in 1975 of leukemia.
