Trey Wilson; Actor Noted for Roles on Stage

Trey Wilson, a second lead and character actor familiar to New York theatergoers but whose most recent effort was in film in “Great Balls of Fire,” the Jerry Lee Lewis story, died last Monday of a cerebral hemorrhage.

He was 40 and died in a New York hospital. He made his permanent residence in New York City.

Wilson was born Donald Yearnsley Wilson III in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston before going on stage.

His theater credits include “The Front Page,” “Peter Pan” with Sandy Duncan in the title role and “Tintypes.” He was also seen as Prince Carpenter in “Foxfire,” the Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy triumph.

Besides “Great Balls of Fire,” in which Wilson played Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records--rocker Lewis’ initial label--his motion pictures included “A Soldier’s Story,” “Raising Arizona” (in which he played Nathan Arizona, the father of quintuplets, one of whom is stolen by a childless couple), “Bull Durham,” “The House on Carroll Street” and “Married to the Mob.”

Survivors include his wife, Judy, a stepson, his mother and stepfather.