Background
He was born in Lincolnshire, England.
He was born in Lincolnshire, England.
He began work with Universal Pictures. Later he joined Radio-Keith-Orpheum in 1935, where he worked on the film adaptation of Leslie Charteris" The Saint in New New York He produced 30 United Kingdom and United States films between 1930 and 1949.
As well as a producer, William also worked as a studio manager.
Actor Lon Chaney, Senior tells of confronting Universal studio manager William Sistrom in 1918 demanding a payrise and contract. According to Chaney, Sistrom told him that he knew a good actor when he saw one but that looking directly at Chaney he saw only a wash-out.
According to their website William managed Hollywood Center Studios for a time from the 1925. During World World War II, the Sistroms opened their Hollywood home to many American servicemen.
One notable Army Air Corps pilot, and wannabe actor was Dan David.
Dan assumed Mistress Sistrom"s maiden name as a stage name and was known as Dan Rowan. I always called him "Daddy." Daddy came into our lives when I was about 4." After the wedding, William retired, and the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he managed a turkey ranch in Buckeye, about 40 miles outside the city.
He died in March 1972 in Los Angeles, United States.
He was member of the comedy team of the 1970s television show Rowan and Martin"s Laugh-In.