By 1917, only 3 to 4 years into his silent film acting career, Hart's films ended up being the highest grossing films in the industry. His "Two Gun Bill" look was known around the world, and Hart himself was credited for creating the "good bad guy" role in movies ("William S. Hart Museum History"). This role is basically when a character who is inherently bad, like a gambler or an outlaw, ends up having a "heart of gold" and ends up living a healthy and honest lifestyle by the end of the film ("William S. Hart Museum History").

Hell's Hinges (1916), The Dawn Maker (1916), Truthful Tulliver (1916), The Square Deal Man (1917), Travelin On (1922), Wild Bill Hickok (1923), Singer Jim McKee (1924), and his final film Tumbleweeds (1925) are just some of the notable films he was in among his 70 total films. He also wrote and produced many of his films ("William S. Hart"). 

William S. Hart lead a very successful acting career and was the leading hero and main star of early western films ("William S. Hart"). He retired from acting in 1925, and bought a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Newhall, California that was completed in 1927 where him and his youngest sister lived. He died in 1946 at the age of 81, and gave his home to the County of Los Angeles to be made into a park and a museum. Hart famously said: "When I was making pictures, the people gave me their nickels, dimes, and quarters. When I am gone, I want them to have my home" ("William S. Hart Museum History").

Hart left behind a lasting and impactful legacy in film after he retired. To learn more about the lasting effects of him and his legacy, press the button below to go to the "Cultural Impact and Legacy" page.