William Marshall was an American actor and singer of African and Cherokee heritage, known for his rich bass voice and classically-trained style, and for his impressive performances on stage and television as Othello.

The latter included a performance in Jack Good's original US production of Catch My Soul.

He appeared as Dr. Richard Daystrom in the Star Trek episode "The Ultimate Computer". He also played the title role of the 1972 cult vampire melodrama, Blacula, and its 1973 sequel, Scream Blacula Scream.

He died on 11th June 2003 from complications arising from complications arising from Alzheimer's disease and diabetes at the age of 78.