Bill Watson

Barry Dennen as Bill Watson in The 1980 movie adaptation

Bill Watson is a character from The Shining. He is the ancestor of the man who built Overlook Hotel, and has been a member of the hotel since he was an infant. He is the on season caretaker on the hotel and mainly runs the boiler. He has a very strong hatred for Stuart Ullman, constantly denigrating the man whenever possible.

The Shining (book)

In the book, Bill Watson is a fat man, with fluffy hair and with a foul mouth, prone to swearing. He shows Jack around the boiler room and tells him how to maintain the boiler. He also tells Jack of how the incident in Room 217 happened and doesn't seem to show emotion or much sympathy for Lorraine Massey. After he leaves the hotel, he is never seen or heard from again, but he is mentioned and referenced a few times.

The Shining (movie)

Bill's character in the 1980 movie was completely altered and changed from his book counterpart. In the movie, he is tall, thin, has black hair and is rather quiet. He tells Jack that the job as a winter caretaker should be quite a change for him. He attends the tour with Stuart and the Torrances on Closing Day, not saying a word, but following behind at the very back. When Jack, Wendy, Stuart and him go down to the basement, he still doesn't say a word and after Stuart says that once everyone's gone, the Torrances will hardly know everyone was in the hotel, he is never seen or referenced again.

The Shining (miniseries)

Bill Watson plays a larger part in the 1997 mini-series than the book or movie, and takes over most of Stuart Ullman's role from the book. His character is almost the same as his book counterpart. He gives Jack a tour of the boiler room on interview day, then on Closing Day, takes Jack, Wendy and Danny around the hotel a bit, joking and laughing with them, as well as Dick Hallorann joining them. Bill leaves the hotel eventually, cheerfully farewelling Jack, Wendy and Danny. He also farewells Dick Hallorann and then leaves the hotel. He is not seen again after this, but is referenced at times.

Doctor Sleep

Bill Watson does not appear in Doctor Sleep at all, and is not referenced or mentioned in any way.

Adaptations

In the 1980 movie adaptation Bill Watson is portrayed by Barry Dennen. In the 1997 television mini-series the character is portrayed by Pat Hingle.