My Name Is Bill W. is a 1989 ABC Hallmark Hall of Fame made-for-television drama film directed by Daniel Petrie, starring James Woods, JoBeth Williams and James Garner. William G. Borchert, who wrote the film script for television, based it on the true story of William Griffith Wilson and Robert Holbrook Smith (the men respectively called "Bill W." and "Dr. Bob"), the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. James Woods won an Emmy for his portrayal of Wilson.
Plot The movie details the true story of stockbroker William Griffith Wilson, a World War I veteran whose alcoholism ("drinking problem") becomes a serious addiction and causes him to lose his fortune in the stock market collapse of 1929. Wilson's career and his domestic life are in tatters when he meets Robert Holbrook Smith, also struggling with a drinking problem. The duo founded a support group that became the nucleus for the society Alcoholics Anonymous.
Featured cast Actor Role George Coe Frank Shaw James Garner Robert Holbrook "Dr. Bob" Smith Robert Harper Jeremy Partlin Joe Inscoe Fred Mark Joy Guy Kolb Gary Sinise Ebby Thacher Rick Warner Bill Dotson Fritz Weaver Dr. Burnham JoBeth Williams Lois "Lo" Wilson James Woods William Griffith "Bill W." Wilson Dalton Grey Mike Davis stockbroker
Awards and nominations
1990 American Cinema Editors Awards (Eddies) Nominated – Best Edited Television Special: Paul Rubell, John Wright
1990 American Society of Cinematographers Nominated – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Pilots: Neil Roach
1990 Directors Guild of America Nominated – Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials: Daniel Petrie
1989 Emmy Awards Won – Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie: James Woods Nominated – Outstanding Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or Special: April Ferry Nominated – Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or Dramatic Special: Daniel Petrie Nominated – Outstanding Television Movie: Peter K. Duchow, James Garner, Daniel Petrie Nominated – Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries Or A Movie: Paul Rubell, John Wright Nominated – Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie: James Garner Nominated – Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: William G. Borchert
1990 Golden Globe Awards Nominated – Best Limited or Anthology Series Nominated – Best Actor - Miniseries or Television Film: James Woods
See also History of Alcoholics Anonymous
External links
Bill's Story, from Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book