From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Willard Robertson January 1 1886 April 5 1948 was an American actor and writer He appeared in 147 films between 1924 and 1948 He was born in Runnels Texas and died in Hollywood California Willard Robertson first worked as a lawyer in Texas but he left his profession for a sudden interest in acting He appeared on Broadway in 16 plays between 1907 and 1930 Robertson played supporting roles in many Hollywood films from 1930 until the year he died typically portraying men of authority such as doctors elected officials military officers and also lawyers He played Jackie Coopers stern but loving father in the oscarwinning drama Skippy 1931 and its sequel Sooky 1931 Robertson also portrayed a flamboyant lawyer in Remember the Night 1940 and the straight sheriff in The OxBow Incident 1943 Willard Robertson was also a notable writer of numerous plays two of them were adapted into films He also wrote the novel Moon Tide 1940 which was turned into Archie Mayos drama thriller Moontide 1942 starring Jean Gabin and Ida Lupino