Actor. He was best known for his distinctive, and raspy voice, which led to him playing an assortment of different character roles including that of bus drivers, sergeants, winos, mailmen, customers, deans, and waiters. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'Marko The Mailman' in the the original Broadway stage production of the play, "Stalag 17," which ran from May 08, 1951, to June 21, 1952, and repeating the role of 'Marko The Mailman' in the comedy war film drama, "Stalag 17" (1953). The film version which was directed and written by Billy Wilder, which was based on the play by Donald Bevan, which was written for the screen by Edwin Blum, and which also starred William Holden, Don Taylor, and Otto Preminger, tells the story of two Americans who are killed while escaping from a German P.O.W. camp in World War II, the barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is also suspected of being an informer. He is also best remembered for playing the role of 'Dean Travers' in seven episodes of the classic situation comedy television series, "Three's Company," from 1977 to 1981. He was born one of four children as William Henry Pierson in Brooklyn, New York, to Harry Wayne Pierson (1891-1962), and his wife Lulu Edith Dunn Pierson (1896-1985), on July 17, 1926. He was educated locally and was drafted during World War II, out of Forest Hills High School in Forest Hills, New York, just a day after his eighteenth birthday on July 18, 1944. He enlisted for active duty on January 24, 1945, with the rank of Private with the Regular Army and was stationed at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Arkansas when he was admitted to the Regional Hospital after receiving a serious shoulder joint injury. He was honorably discharged from the service due to a shoulder joint injury in December of 1945. He reenlisted again with the Regular Army a month later on January 17, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, while living in Nowata, Oklahoma. Following his military service, he pursued an acting career. He began his acting career on the Broadway stage in New York City, New York, in stage productions of several plays. Besides, originating the role of 'Marko The Mailman' in "Stalag 17," which ran from May 08, 1951, to June 21, 1952, his other Broadway plays included playing the role of 'Corps de Ballet' in "High Button Shoes," which ran from October 9, 1947, to July 2, 1949. He also appeared in "Make Mine Manhattan," "Reuben, Reuben," "Dinner At Eight," and he was in the national touring company of the play, "The Odd Couple." He also appeared in the Off-Broadway stage production of the play, "Smile, Smile, Smile" (1973), at the Eastside Playhouse in New York City, New York. He eventually made the transition to films and television. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'Sergeant Billy Pierson' (using his real name), in the war film drama, "The Big Lift" (1950), which was directed by George Seaton, and which also starred Montgomery Clift, Paul Douglas, and Cornell Borchers. Besides, "The Big Lift" (1950), and "Stalag 17" (1953), his many other film credits include, "Operation Mad Ball" (1957), "Fun With Dick And Jane" (1977), "Corvette Summer" (1978), and "Snavely" (1978). Besides, the seven episodes of the classic situation comedy television series, "Three's Company," from 1977 to 1981, his many other television credits include, "The Jackie Gleason Show," "Omnibus," "Studio One," "The Phil Silvers Show," "The Goldbergs," "The Cop And The Kid," "Switch," "Good Times," "All In The Family," "Alice," "In The Beginning," "Hello, Larry" (1979), "Diff'rent Strokes," "One Day At A Time," "Harper Valley P.T.A." and "The Facts Of Life." His last film role was playing the 'Car Fixer' in the Japanese action film, "Sani no yuutsu" (1993). The film which was directed and written by Toshimichi Ohkawa, which was written for the screen by Kip Kaplan, and which also starred Natsumi Nanase, Keishi Hunt, and Takashi Matsuyama, tells the story of following a robbery gone wrong, two Japanese criminals go to America to find the victim's niece and millions in stolen cash. He retired from acting shortly thereafter. His acting career spanned forty years. He spent his later years living at the Valley View Care Center in Newton, New Jersey, due to failing health. He passed away from respiratory failure in Newton, New Jersey, on August 27, 2004, at the age of 78. Following his death, he was cremated and his ashes were given to his family members. He never married nor had any children. He was survived by his brothers Jefferson Pierson and Howard Pierson.